You’ve probably heard about the benefits of Pilates—it can help you build strength, improve your mobility and work on your posture—but perhaps you don’t know where to start with this form of movement.
You’ll be glad to know that you don’t need an expensive membership at a workout studio, or access to a Pilates reformer to get the most out of it.
In fact, as someone who has been doing Pilates for years, I think the best place to start is in your living room.
You can do Pilates with just your bodyweight and there are plenty of workouts available on free Pilates YouTube channels to help you get started. However, incorporating some equipment can not only enhance the benefits of Pilates, it can make it easier to get started as a beginner, allowing you to modify certain exercises to your level.
The Pilates ball is a particularly useful piece of kit for improving your alignment. And a block is equally helpful for supporting you in some moves, while challenging your stability in others.
If at the start of your Pilates journey, a mat and a pair of light dumbbells is probably the best place to start. Some teachers recommend a thin mat to help with your connection to the floor, while others recommend thicker, more comfortable mats. I’ve included both options below.
Luckily, Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is currently taking place and there are lots of discounts on Pilates equipment. Here are my top picks.
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