Before You Buy Pilates Exercise Equipment and Gear

An exercise mat could well be your first choice for doing Pilates at home. Read through this buyers' guide before you make up your mind about what kind of mat you want for Pilates exercises.

DVDs and video are among the top ways that people learn and practice Pilates. My DVD/video reviews cover exercises for beginner and intermediate students, as well as topics such as weight loss and body sculpting.

Though they are not traditional Pilates equipment, exercise balls and bands have become popular for studio and home workouts. Find out why and what you want to know before you buy:

The magic circles, also known as exercise rings, magic rings and fitness circles, are among the most versatile pieces of Pilates equipment you can get for your home workout.

You can do Pilates exercises in any clothing that moves well and isn't too baggy or revealing. However, if you want to spruce up a bit, there are lots of wonderful choices of workout clothing designed for Pilates and yoga.
Here are some lines of exercise clothing that have caught my eye:

Books are a wonderful way to support your Pilates practice. I like working with them because they allow me to take my time with the exercises. I also appreciate many Pilates books for the deeper look into Pilates history and exercise principles that they provide.
Here are a couple of my top picks for Pilates books: