8 Best Pilates Rings for a Hard-Core Workout From Home
Now that’s my kinda WFH.
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If you're in a workout rut and are looking for some new sweaty ways to upgrade your exercise routine, then welcome! You're in the right place. A new piece of workout equipment might just be the perfect solution to challenging your muscles—and the Pilates ring is a great and affordable option for stepping up your sweat-from-home game.
Before you ask, "Is a Pilates ring really that useful?" let us just say hi, yes, and absolutely. Working out with a resistance-based exercise ring can really help to target your abs, arms, and thighs. The Pilates ring, also called the ~magic circle~, helps to create resistance, build and tone muscles in various parts of the body, and it’s super lightweight. "It’s a great tool to help practice good form and focus on the core," says Dani Chasin, Certified Personal Trainer and Pilates instructor from Mindbody and ClassPass.
If all of the above sounds appealing to you, then see below for eight of the best Pilates rings on the market right now. There's a ring out there for nearly every type of need too. Want a high-tech one that's as fun as a video game (slash, is a video game)? Got it. Need a sleek workout ring that's portable enough to pack in your carry-on? Found. Or maybe you're a beginner and wanna see what it's all about. Done! Shop 'em all, below.
Bala The Power Ring
Pros
- Multi-functional for multiple workouts
- Weighted for extra oomph
- Available in 5, 8, 10, and 15-lb. options
Cons
- Might be too heavy for beginners
- Not as flexible as other Pilates rings
Let's be honest, we like pretty things! And this metallic ten-pound bb is seriously so beautiful, you'll really look forward to working out with it (it's the little things). Bonus: You can also incorporate the ring into your regular strength-training and HIIT workouts.
STOTT PILATES Fitness Circle Pro (Black)
Pros
- Multiple color and size options
- Weighted for extra resistance
Cons
- May be too challenging for beginners
This bad boy has an extra firm resistance, making it great for seasoned Pilates enthusiasts. It's also a bit heavier than the other rings to give your arms a lil extra challenge. *Flexes bicep*
ProBody Pilates Ring Circle
Pros
- Lightweight
- Comes with carrying pouch and exercise chart
Cons
- Some reviewers say it may need more advanced resistance levels
This top-rated Amazon find has over 6,000 rave reviews, so you know it's great. Plus, it comes in five different colors, includes a carrying pouch and exercise chart, is beginner-friendly, and has sweat-resistant grips for an anxiety-free workout.
JBM international 13 Inch Pilates Ring
Pros
- Non-slip grip
- Can be used on the upper or lower body
Cons
- Doesn't come with suggested workout instructions
Um, yes, we love an under-$16 treasure with a 4.5-star rating! You can make it work with yoga, Pilates, upper-body and lower-body workouts.
Yogalo Pilates Ring and Ball Set with 3 Resistance Bands
Pros
- Good set for Pilates beginners
- Great price
- Comes with 12-minute workout guide
Cons
- Ring might be too flexible for an advanced Pilates practice
With this kit, you're pretty much set for a full Pilates workout right from the comfort of your own living room. A ring, ball, and three resistance bands for under $27? Sold.
Mantra Sport Pilates Ring Magic Fitness Circle
Pros
- Comes with bag and detailed instructional poster
- Can be used on the upper or lower body
- Low-impact for pregnancy or postpartum workouts
Cons
- Some reviewers wish it had more sturdy resistance
But if you're a beginner, might I rec this bb? It comes with a huge poster detailing the different moves you can do with an exercise ring too, so you'll never feel stumped/bored/unmotivated.
Nintendo Ring Fit Adventure - Nintendo Switch
Pros
- Great if you love to forget you're working out
Cons
- More cardio-heavy than a typical Pilates class
This one definitely isn't your typical workout, but that's the whole point. If you're getting bored with your fitness routine and have a Nintendo Switch, grab yourself this Ring Fit Adventure. In short, you get to slay monsters via killer workout moves.
Dux Ridge Dux Ridge Pilates Ring 12" Magic Circle
Pros
- Comes with resistance bands and stability ball
- Compact and portable
Cons
- Some reviewers felt the ring was too small
Slightly smaller than your average Pilates ring, this pick is much more travel-friendly than other ones out there so you can stick it in your suitcase for those impromptu hotel room workout seshes and leave the rest of the set at home.
How to choose a Pilates ring
Using a Pilates ring is pretty much a customizable experience. You can use it to target the upper body or lower body and can choose the level of resistance that feels best. "Many Pilates studios have 14-inch rings made of metal or steel for high usage, but a good practical material for mild resistance is rubber," Chasin says. And if the rings have padding on both the outside and inside of the ring, even better. "That way you can try more moves with it," she adds.
Kim Duong is the Deputy Shopping Director at Cosmopolitan, overseeing shopping coverage online for all things fashion, lifestyle, beauty, and sex. When she's not musing about which products are actually worth your hard-earned cash, she's also writing (sometimes slightly unhinged) fashion content in print. You can find her previous writing in Refinery29, InStyle, Travel + Leisure, and StyleCaster. Follow her on Instagram for bottomless cute dog content and did-that-really-happen-to-me story times in her highlights.
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