The ultimate home Pilates workout
If you’ve daydreamed of owning a Pilates machine but can’t justify the expense or space, explore a Pilates ring. This workout targets and sculpts muscles without needing an at-home machine. It’s also a fraction of the cost with a simple Pilates ring.
Pilates rings are a workout tool invented by Joseph Pilates to add moderate resistance, body awareness, support and stability to various mat and standing Pilates exercises. Alongside a few other tools, a Pilates ring can add a bit of challenge to your Pilates exercise routine, correct your posture and tone your core, butt, arms and thighs in the ultimate Pilates ring workout.
What is a Pilates ring?
Pilates rings are a relatively simple, unintimidating workout tool that packs a huge punch. Use Pilates rings in conjunction with ab-burning, thigh-targeting or full-body Pilates workout to see some serious sweat, feel sore and experience rapid improvement in your muscle strength and body toning.
While you can do many Pilates exercises on a mat without a Pilates ring, the ring turns mat exercises into approximations of the same exercises on machines, where weights are used for added resistance. Incorporating a Pilates ring into a set of “reverse abs” reps or side-lying leg presses, for example, can turn a moderate flexibility and strength-building workout into an intense and fully engaging challenge.
Pilates rings also bring consciousness into your mat routine by making you more aware of your body and the muscle groups engaged during a workout. This allows you to remain rooted and ensure that you’re engaging muscles evenly on both sides of your body by giving you a center on which to focus.
How to use a Pilates ring
Pilates rings are made of a relatively flexible rubber material and are less expensive than Pilates machines. This makes them an accessible way to get into Pilates and replicate the experience of taking a machine class in a studio at home.
To get the most out of your Pilates ring workout, start by selecting a ring that works well for you. If your Pilates studio has multiple types of rings, try out a few before committing to one to buy.
When you use your Pilates ring during your workout, focus on taking deep breaths into your core. Avoid creating tension in your shoulders, jaw and neck. Focus on your breathing, core and posture.
Avoid a weighted ring
You should avoid using weighted rings when you first start doing Pilates rings workouts unless you’re already athletic and have a good idea of proper Pilates forms. Using a heavy ring when you don’t yet have proper alignment or foundational muscle strength can result in injuries.
Instead, use a Pilates ring with a normal level of resistance.
Don’t put too much pressure on your Pilates ring
Pilates rings are intended to provide a variable amount of resistance and should only be squeezed gently or moderately hard. Pilates rings’ design supports your body and add small amounts of tension to the muscles engaged during a given Pilates exercise.
To contrast, Pilates rings’ design cannot handle maximum force or intense strength training. You’re better off using the Pilates ring as a gentle guide for maintaining good form and keeping your core engaged.
How to get the most out of your Pilates ring workout
Some of the most common exercises in a Pilates ring workout are standing leg presses, side-lying presses, Pilates ring side-presses, high diagonal rings and halo rings. When deciding which exercises to start with, consult an instructor or follow a Pilates instructional video.
Because Pilates tends to lead to rapid strength changes, be sure to care for your body as you would anytime you introduce a workout regime into your life. Consider increasing protein intake, epsom salt baths, acupressure and deep muscle massage to provide relief any time you’re feeling sore.
You should also consider your personal fitness goals when deciding which Pilates ring workouts to try.
Tone and sculpt your abs
You can modify most mat and standing exercises that involve leg work by placing a Pilates ring between your legs to add a level of resistance and challenge your core.
Target your core with a Pilates ring by adding it into exercises like bridges, side-lying thigh lifts, frog-circle combos, crunch series, tabletop controls and more.
Target your inner-thighs
Add the Pilates ring as a supplement to various exercises to target your inner thighs.
In the bridge position, hold your Pilates ring between your inner thighs above your knees. Squeeze and release the ring in a series of reps.
Next, hold the ring between your thighs and practice lifting your pelvis to the bridge position and then lowering it back down while maintaining pressure on the ring.
Repeat these movements with the Pilates ring on the outside of your legs by putting your legs through the ring and allowing the pads to rest on your outer thighs.
Strengthen your arms
There are a variety of ways to strengthen your arms using a Pilates ring.
Simply hold the Pilates ring above your head in a halo position any time you perform an exercise in which you would otherwise have your arms straight out or passive.
You can also hold the ring in front of you in a steering wheel position or complete targeted exercises called front and side press downs to burn arm fat and build lean muscle.
Use a Pilates ring passively
Use Pilates rings passively for seated workouts while watching TV or working at a desk by performing a series of leg lifts while clenching the Pilates ring, which will target your core strength.
You can also try balancing the Pilates ring on the floor and pushing down on it with one foot, then the other, to keep your core engaged when you would otherwise be inactive.
What do I need to buy for the ultimate pilates ring workout?
Nayoya Wellness Pilates Toning Ring
This versatile Pilates ring will allow you to bring all the benefits of a Pilates machine into your own home. Lightweight enough to travel with or bring into the office with you for discreet under-desk exercises. Comfort-designed padded grips allow a wide range of motion during Pilates exercise circuits. It comes with a nylon travel pouch.
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Trideer Extra Thick Exercise Ball for Balance and Stability
Get more out of your Pilates ring workout by adding this exercise ball for additional stability. This anti-burst exercise ball can be used in conjunction with your Pilates ring in a series of movements to provide better posture. Helpful in supporting your legs while curling upward to perform upper-body workouts with a Pilates ring.
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A comfortable yoga mat is essential for an effective Pilates ring workout routine. This thick, anti-slip mat is lightweight, great for travel and eco-friendly.
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OYS Womens 2 Piece Workout Outfit
A stylish and functional Pilates outfit that won’t get in the way of your flexibility and mobility while performing a wide range of Pilates exercises. It provides good coverage and comfort for a variety of active uses.
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Evelyn Waugh writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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