Our favorite props - a gift guide for the Pilates lover in your life.
At Moontower Pilates, we LOVE props. Here is a list of our favorites, why we love them and where you can get them.
I personally have a mat and props at home, so I can take care of myself and practice Pilates at home, even if it’s just a rolling session to calm my nervous system. We highly encourage our clients to do the same. I hope this list helps you to create your at-home movement haven.
TLDR: Is your decision fatigue real? Happens on the daily for me. Here is my Amazon list of all the props listed below. It’s a mix of premium and budget options.
[no profit is made from these links]
Resistance Bands
Why we love them: They are lightweight, easy to travel with, inexpensive and versatile. For an at-home prop, it’s the closest you can get to what a spring on the equipment feels like. Our favorite brand is Theraband brand becuase their resistance is very consistent.
Where to get them:
If you’re new to Pilates and resistance training, we recommend the yellow, red & green bands here.
For those with resistance training experience and plenty of strength, this set of blue and gray bands is a great option.
Squishy Ball
Why we love it: It’s lightweight, portable, easy to inflate and deflate. It can be used for myofascial release work as well as strengthening exercises. We love to put the ball between the shoulder blades for ab work, under the pelvis to release the low back and for more ab work as well as between the thighs. It’s also an amazing tool for spine & pelvis support when you’re sitting for a long time.
Where to get it:
Premium option: Coregeous Ball
Budget option: 9” Pilates Ball
Foam Roller
Why we love it: This one is fun & there’s lots you can do with it. While it’s less portable than the balls and bands, it’s fantastic tool to have at home. You can use the foam roller for myofascial release work as well as strengthening, balance work and core connection.
Where to get it: The Ultra-Soft Roller is our favorite because it’s soft enough to get a good release without making your nervous system angry, like harder rollers might do.
Block
Why we love it: It’s great for balance work, a head support in certain stretches and ab exercises, it can be used as a prop for the pinky ball in release work. It’s also great for a calf stretch.
Where to get it: Any basic yoga block will do. Try this link. Or check out your options at any local sports retailer.
Release balls (aka Pinky Balls)
Why we love it: These are great to have around. It’s sometimes hard to know how much tension we may be carrying, until we do a little release work.
Where to get it: These Yoga Tune Up balls have a wonderful squishy, yet firm consistency, which is better for your fascia than a lacrosse ball (no shame if you love your lacrosse ball). These are great for shoulders, neck, hips, you name it.
Hand Weights
Why we love them: Adding 1-3lb. hand-weights to a Pilates workout can really help your body to feel strong & grounded. They also help you to connect to your upper body in ways we don’t, typically in our everyday lives.
Where to get them: My favorite place, if you’re local to Austin, is Play It Again Sports. You can find them at any sports retailer or order them online here.
Pilates Mat
Why we love it: Pilates mats are typically thicker than a yoga mat, although a yoga mat works great. The thicker mat provides more cushion for joints that need it as well as for your spine in rolling exercises.
Where to get it:
Premium option: Balanced Body Ecowise mat - this mat is squishy and grippy at the same time.
Budget option: Amazon extra thick mat with carrying strap.