Pilates Props Explained: How Balls, Bands, Rings & More Boost Your Workout
Looking for a way to add your Pilates Mat practice? By incorporating props you can dramatically enhance your results and deepen your mind-body connection. These simple tools expand the Mat work beyond the core to develop whole body strength and flexibility, including functional exercises for the upper and lower body.
Resistance bands add variable tension throughout your range of motion, building strength while maintaining Pilates' signature flow. They target hard-to-reach muscles and increase intensity without bulk. Their progressive resistance mirrors the springs on Pilates equipment, making them ideal for mat classes.
Pilates balls challenge stability and force your core to work harder, accelerating strength development. This inexpensive prop adds variety, stability challenges, self-massage, and enhances mind-body connection whether placed under your back, between thighs, or beneath feet.
Magic circles (Pilates rings), one of Joseph Pilates' original inventions, provide resistance for upper body, inner thigh, and core work. The constant tension creates isometric challenges that sculpt lean definition while strengthening the pelvic floor and connecting you to your body's midline.
Foam rollers enhance balance training while providing myofascial release benefits. Originally packing material, this versatile tool increases exercise difficulty, improves proprioception, and offers dynamic stabilization training plus self-massage.
Small weights (typically 1-3 pounds) add resistance without compromising Pilates' controlled movements. They intensify arm work and increase calorie burn while maintaining proper form.
Props make Pilates accessible for beginners, while offering advanced practitioners new challenges. They provide tactile feedback, help you feel proper muscle engagement, and prevent workout plateaus—making them essential tools for faster progress in your Pilates journey.
Try It for Yourself
If you’re interested in adding props to your Mat workouts, or looking for a working with just the mat, join the Rizzo On-Demand waitlist. You’ll find a variety of traditional and prop-based Mat workouts that will give you the challenge you need.
➡️Sign up here.