Pilates has become one of the most popular forms of exercise, attracting everyone from beginners to experienced fitness enthusiasts. Combining strength training, core work, flexibility, muscle toning and breathwork, it offers a well-rounded workout that can be adapted to different fitness levels and goals.
While reformer Pilates remains a studio favourite, mat Pilates has made it easier than ever to practise at home. Requiring minimal equipment and space, it’s a convenient option for those who prefer working out away from the gym or want a routine they can maintain while travelling.
Although some Pilates equipment can be an investment, building a home setup can be more cost-effective than paying for regular studio classes over time. It also offers the flexibility to exercise whenever it suits your schedule.
Whether you’re new to Pilates, looking to upgrade your home workouts or wanting to challenge yourself with new equipment, there are plenty of options available. From resistance bands and ankle weights to multifunctional fitness kits, I’ve rounded up the best home Pilates equipment to suit a range of abilities, budgets and spaces.
Read more: 8 best resistance bands to help you stretch, strengthen and sculpt muscles
The best home pilates equipment for 2026 is:
- Best overall – Onyx mat pilates set: £152.95, Onyx-fitness.com
- Best budget buy – Phoenix fitness pilates ring: £10.79, Amazon.co.uk
- Best compact bundle – Gymproluxe portable all-in-one gym bundle: £145.95, Gymproluxestore.com
Onyx mat pilates set
Best: home Pilates equipment overall
Suitable for: All levels
Why we love it
- Suitable for all levels
- Buttery-soft fabric
- Ergonomic design
- Selection of resistance band strengths
- Pilates ball includes compact pump
- Mat is long, anti-microbial, waterproof, non-slip, and made from sustainable materials
Take note
- You'll need to select your chosen ring weight and mat thickness
This five-piece set includes all the essentials for beginners and Pilates pros alike. A non-slip mat, adjustable arm and ankle weights, a trio of resistance bands, a small Pilates ball, and a ring weight are all included. I alternated using the equipment separately and all at once, for a more intense session.
Long enough for my 5ft 11in frame, the mat is surprisingly lightweight, which makes it easy to roll up and store after use. The mat is made from FSC-certified natural rubber and coated with high-grade polyurethane, providing an antimicrobial, waterproof, moisture-wicking and non-slip surface. Although it did stain slightly when I exercised while wearing an oily hair mask, it scooped the top spot in our guide to the best yoga mats.
The weighted ring boasts a buttery-soft silicone exterior, which was comfortable to hold, and didn’t leave my hands smelling of metal or laden with callouses like some gym weights do. The ankle weights have removable weighted blocks, which boast the same ultra-soft exterior as the other items in the bundle, and a Velcro fastening. The trio of resistance bands, meanwhile, has been created from premium nylon and latex, which is durable and provides a luxurious finish.
The pilates ball is also ultra-soft, durable and easy to inflate, using the compact pump included. However, if you are looking for separate handheld weights in your set, I would suggest opting for the works set instead (£211.43, Onyx-fitness.com).
This sustainable set can be customised, too. Shoppers can choose the weight for the ring, the thickness of the mat, and the colour of the set – safe to say Onyx has thought of everything.
Buy now £152.95, Onyx-fitness.com
Phoenix fitness Pilates ring
Best: budget Pilates equipment
Suitable for: All levels
Why we love it
- Lightweight
- Suitable for all workouts
- Foam padded sections
- Durable
Take note
- Cumbersome to store
A key piece of equipment to invest in, a Pilates ring can really enhance your home workout, whether you’re focusing on a specific area or opting for a full body workout.
I used this lightweight ring between my arms to work my biceps and triceps, as well as in between the thighs and calves to tone my legs. Thanks to the squeezing motion, the ring is effective in providing resistance that a band can’t always offer. The dual grip from the two foam pads is an innovative feature designed to cushion the body part being activated, which is important for me, as I bruise like a peach.
While this is a lightweight and effective gadget, when the ring was squeezed tightly it sounded like it could break – fortunately, it didn’t, and has proved to be a durable piece of apparatus, just err on the side of caution.
Buy now £10.79, Amazon.co.uk
Gymproluxe portable all-in-one gym bundle
Best: compact bundle Pilates equipment
Suitable for: Intermediate to experienced
Why we love it
- Variable resistance tools
- Easy to store
- Portable
- Versatile and multifunctional
- Lifetime access to the Gymproluxe app
Take note
- Premium price tag
Gymproluxe has created a unique, versatile and multifunctional set of home equipment to elevate any workout by way of its all-in-one bundle.
The kit includes a detachable bar that can be combined with the any of the five resistance bands, as well as the padded exercise belt, which is fitted with six detachable weighted belt tubes that combine to offer 90kg resistance weight.
The set also features two grip handles, leg straps, a door anchor, as well as a bag to carry all of the above, and store away neatly. The cords are colour coded, as well as labelled with the weight, to simplify your workout, which I appreciated, as the abundance of equipment can be overwhelming at first.
Customers will also gain lifetime access to the Gymproluxe app, which features useful videos explaining the contents, how to use every item in the set, as well as access to 150 workouts. While it comes with a hefty price tag, this bundle is more cost effective than an annual gym membership.
Buy now £149.95, Gymproluxestore.com
Gymshark studio crew socks
Best: non-slip Pilates socks
Suitable for: All levels
Why we love it
- Insulating
- Non-slip
- Ankle length
- Durable grip on the sole
Take note
- Limited colourways
If you want to prevent your feet slipping during workouts, it’s worth investing in non-slip socks. They’re not a must for home workouts but most Pilates studios require them and they can make a lot of difference when you’re holding strength poses.
Personally, I don’t enjoy exercising barefoot and regular cotton socks can make holding a plank near impossible, as my feet start to slide. This is where grippy socks earn their stripes.
I was pleasantly surprised by these Gymshark crew socks, as the cotton, nylon and elastane blend was super soft, insulating and comfortable on my feet.
The extra length and elastic hem stopped these socks from slipping down, while the footbed grips made it easier to hold Pilates poses, no matter the floor surface.
Buy now £14, Gymshark.com
Vuori yoga mat
Best: premium Pilates mat
Suitable for: All levels
Why we love it
- Non-slip base
- Moisture-wicking
- Long length
- Mid-weight
Take note
- Pricey
Made with rubber and eco-polyurethane to create a non-slip, ultra-soft and moisture-wicking surface, this mat will come in handy during your home workouts.
However, it’s worth noting that yoga mats and Pilates mats are slightly different – Pilates mats are thicker and provide extra cushioning for your joints and spine whereas yoga mats are thinner to allow for better balance and connection with the ground. If you struggle with joint pain, make sure you opt for a thicker mat when practicing Pilates at home.
I was pleasantly surprised by the length (185cm x 68cm), as I usually struggle to one long enough for my 5ft 11in frame. This mat also measures 4.2mm in thickness, which makes it a thinner design than others I have tested, although that made it easier to pack away.
Vuori’s mat features a contrast grip base, to ensure it stays in place throughout the most dynamic pilates session. However, when it is rolled up, I found it slightly weighty, and taller than other designs, which could be a consideration for those tight on space.
Buy now £110, Vuoriclothing.co.uk
Vuori yoga strap
Best: multi-purpose Pilates strap
Suitable for: All levels
Why we love it
- Multifunctional
- Made from recycled fabrics
- Adjustable fixture
Take note
- Not the softest of fabrics
If you are shopping for a strap to keep your Pilates mat from rolling out or to help you carry it with you when travelling or moving from room to room, this adjustable strap can be fixed easily to your equipment.
This design also doubles up as a yoga strap, which is almost like a resistance band, just without the elasticity, to help hold a pilates pose or stretch for longer.
The durable two-in-one design is made from nylon and metal hardware. However, it doesn’t have any padding, and it isn’t the softest fabric, so, it can dig into the skin and cause discomfort.
Buy now £11, Vuoriclothing.co.uk
Amazon adjustable wrist/ankle weights set
Best: wrist/ankle Pilates weights
Suitable for: Intermediate to advanced
Why we love it
- Soft silicone outer material
- Waterproof
- Sweatproof
- Adjustable Velcro strap
- Customisable weights
- Easy to clean
Take note
- The longer weight blocks could get in the way of a smart watch
These adjustable designs can double as arm and ankle weights, to elevate any Pilates workout and level up a low-impact cardio session.
Weighing 0.5kg each, the weights are fitted with individual blocks, which can be removed to lighten the load. The strap can also be adjusted to fit around your limbs.
These multifunctional weights are durable as well as being super easy to wear and incorporate into any workout. Just be mindful of how you use them and move slowly to begin with to allow your wrists and ankles to adjust to the extra weight.
The only point to note is the blocks are longer in length, compared with some other wrist weights I’ve tested, meaning they can get in the way if you are wearing a smart watch to track your workout.
Buy now £14.99, Amazon.co.uk
MoveActive pilates ball
Best: Pilates ball
Suitable for: All levels
Why we love it
- Lightweight
- Super soft
- Quick to inflate
- Available in different colours
- Compact
Take note
- Includes a straw instead of a pump to inflate
- Slightly sticky surface collects dust
This 20-22cm Pilates ball has been created from 100 per cent PVC, which achieves a durable, multifunctional, super-soft, and non-slip finish.
It was easy to inflate with a few blows using the straw included in the bundle (although, some may prefer to inflate with a pump instead) and held its shape after fitting the accompanying plug in place. This design makes it easy to deflate, and reinflate – ideal if you wanted to take the ball with you when travelling.
While this ball didn’t puncture, and remained inflated during my home workouts, the exterior texture collected dust and fluff from the floor quite easily.
Buy now £10, Moveactive.co
Your questions about home pilates equipment answered
What is the best home pilates equipment?
The essential pieces of equipment I recommend if you are looking to practice pilates at home, regardless of your fitness level, include a pilates ring, ankle/wrist weights, a soft pilates ball, and resistance bands. However, covering all bases saw the Onyx pilates set take the top spot in this round-up. Every item included in the set is super soft to hold, durable, practical and versatile enough for a home pilates session and other workouts, plus the entire set looks gorgeous.
How I tested home pilates equipment
I tested a variety of home Pilates equipment that I could use, as well as store, in my London flat. During testing, I paid attention to the following factors:
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Maisie Bovingdon is a lifestyle journalist experience in health and wellness, beauty and fashion. She’s tested everything from hair straighteners to foundations, always giving each product she reviews a thorough testing experience.
Want more health and fitness recommendations? Read our guide to the best yoga leggings
