What Equipment do I Need for Class?

Clients are now required to bring their own mats and some small equipment to class. It is the surest way to ensure that infection is not spread and that classes are Covid secure.  The additional small equipment you need is versatile, lightweight and inexpensive.

What do you need for class?

• Mat
• Pilates Resistance Band – Minimum 1.5m, Longer recommended
• Small ball for the feet – therapy ball or tennis ball or another small ball
• Head blocks/head support are provided and are used by all. Both are hard blocks.  However, you may wish to buy your own.  If you do, it is recommended you buy a soft 1" block rather than a hard one.  It is much more comfortable.  There are plenty available online (See below for sizing)

Please note that you will not be required to bring the full list of equipment for Beginner's courses. 

Advice on Buying your own Mat

There are lots of other mats on the market, some roll up too which is useful for carrying to class.  You need your mat to be long enough for your ‘head to tail’ to be on the mat.  It is not essential for your feet to be on the mat.  Pilates mats are generally thicker than yoga mats. The extra padding is more comfortable if you are kneeling, lying on your side or moving the spine.   If you have a yoga mat and want to use it, bear this in mind.

Head Blocks / Knee Padding

Head blocks are used to enable the neck and head to be in line with the rest of the spine.  Pilates head blocks can be either soft or hard.  A soft block is much more comfortable and can double up as knee padding.

You do not have to purchase head blocks.  Alternatively, folded hand towels make great head blocks.  You can fold them to the thickness you need and use as many as required.

I would advise you buy 2 blocks:

• 1” Headblock  300 x 200 x 25 mm (Soft recommended for comfort)
• 2” Headblock  300 x 200m  x 50 mm (Hard) Also called a 'Sitting Block'

Most people required a 1" headblock for lying on the back.  When lying on the side you need more head support, usually 1" and 2" block together.

Resistance Bands

There are different strengths of resistance bands.  The legs are stronger than the arms, so you can work with more resistance with leg exercises.   For arms, I recommend you use a beginner level of band and for the legs an intermediate level.  In an ideal world, you would have 2 bands for this reason. If you only invest in one band, I recommend the beginner level.

Your band should be a minimum 1.5m length.  Longer is recommended, particularly if you are tall.

• 1 x Intermediate Level
• 1 x Beginner Level

Small ball for the feet

Massaging the feet with a ball can ease tension in the feet and lower leg.  The release of tight tissue in the foot can have an effect on the entire body!  There are some really nice balls available.  The soft slightly spikey ones are great, some balls are quite hard and spikey and can be a bit uncomfortable with bare feet. You don’t have to invest in specific therapy balls.  A tennis ball or other small balls will suffice.