Pilates Gear You Need for At Home Practice

Pilates is the ultimate in core and full body strength training as well as flexibility optimization. Anyone can practice Pilates and with some Pilates gear, you can even train in the privacy of your own home. Sure there's the big equipment like the reformer and Cadillac, but there's also some smaller tools that are portable, lightweight and easy to store. Every at home Pilates practitioner should have a good mat, strong Magic Circle and perfectly-sized Exercise Ball to round out her training.

Pilates mats are thicker than yoga mats but generally the same length and width. You'll be grateful to have that extra cushioning for your bones when doing the Side Lying Series and Open Leg Rocker. Jade Yoga Mats come in a Fusion style that's thicker than a yoga mat. Add this one to your Pilates gear and you'll enjoy the extra padding. Go for the longer length on this mat so you have plenty of mat for any rolling exercise.

The Magic Circle may not make your every wish come true, but this Pilates gear will give you an extra challenge in your Pilates practice. These circles are perfect for at home practice because they're portable and easy to store. Designed to help you achieve good form and offer moderate resistance, the Magic Circle comes in all sorts of material. You can find them made from flexible metal to soft rubber. Avoid circles that are really too flexible. You'll lose what little form it offered you quickly. Be sure this piece of Pilates gear has pads on both the inside and outside of the circle for comfort. Gaiam's Pilates Toning Ring Kit has all of those requirements and comes with a DVD designed to give you a total body conditioning experience. Fun fact: rumor has it that Joseph Pilates made the first magic circle from the metal bands off a beer barrel!

Exercise balls have been around for years in all kinds of settings. They're called Swiss balls, Exer Balls and fitness balls too and they make excellent Pilates gear because of their ability to challenge your body. Sit on them and they become a tool for working your core. Lie down and put your feet on them and now you're working on your balance. Hang over one like you're doing a backbend and you've found yourself a great stretch. Inexpensive and easy to blow up and release, Exercise balls come measured in centimeters, usually anywhere from 55-75 cm. You'll choose the one for you based on your height. Gaiam recognized the need for all sizes and created the Gaiam Total Body Balance Ball Kit in large, medium and small. No matter how tall you are, you'll get a great product that comes with a DVD resistance workout band and a pump. So go ahead and grab one - we think you'll have a ball!

No better way than to stock up on your Pilates Gear for at home exercise than the one stop shopping ActivewearUSA.com provides! Once you've mastered the ring and the ball, try the body bands and resistance cord kits you can find on the site. You'll never have the "I'm bored" excuse again!