It’s official: Pilates has taken the fitness world by storm in the past few months, and its popularity is showing no signs of slowing down as we enter autumn. If you’re less keen on venturing out for an in-studio class in the cold weather, firstly same, and secondly, you might want to think about how you can boost your at-home sessions to really get the most out of them. Introducing: the best Pilates bands.
These long elastic bands are some of the most affordable Pilates accessories around, with most costing under £10 for a set. They can come in either a looped or long strap design, and can be used in multiple ways (e.g. looped around your wrists and the soles of your feet) to add resistance to your Pilates reps - sort of in a similar way to Reformer machines.
Why is it a good idea to incorporate bands into your Pilates workout? As they are compact, lightweight and portable, they make a brilliant alternative to the best home weights or at-home machines when you’re travelling or simply don’t have enough space in your living room. If you’re sceptical about how effective Pilates bands actually are, you should know that a 2019 study showed that elastic resistance bands promote similar strength gains as conventional resistance training (e.g. weighted workouts). Excellent stuff.
There are a few different tools you can use to boost your at-home Pilates workouts - including Pilates bars, sliders, rings and even ankle weights - but what makes Pilates bands so great for everyone’s favourite workout of the moment? I asked a few experts for their insights.
Read on to hear their thoughts and keep scrolling for the best Pilates bands to shop - including expert and editor-approved picks. Oh, and if you’re planning on picking up some of the best Pilates clothing, we have buying guides for those too - from Pilates socks to the best leggings, tops, unitards and longline sports bras.
What are the benefits of adding Pilates bands to your home workouts?
"I love the added boost a band gives to Pilates" says Angie Tiwari, Yoga, Meditation and Breathwork Coach and founder of wellbeing community platform UNEARTHED. "The addition of the band means you’re targeting different muscles. You’ll have better control over movements, you’re forced to focus more so it makes you more present and you’ll look more toned. They are also perfect to pack in your bag and take on holiday because of how lightweight they are."
Hollie Grant, Founder of Pilates PT and The Bump Plan insists that adding Pilates bands to your home workouts offers so many benefits and she encourages her clients to use them. Some benefits she highlights include:
- Increased (or decreased) resistance: Pilates bands provide adjustable resistance, making exercises more challenging where needed without adding heavy weights, but can also make certain exercises easier by providing support.
- Improved flexibility: They can help enhance your range of motion, allowing for deeper stretches and more controlled movements.
- Enhanced Muscle Activation: These bands can help target specific muscle groups, promoting better engagement and strength gains.
- Versatile & portable: they’re lightweight and easy to store/pack. I recommend clients take them on holidays/work trips etc!
- Low Impact: Great for gentle resistance training, making them ideal for injury prevention and recovery. Lots of my injured clients rely on them for rehab.
- Cost-effective: Bands are an affordable way to intensify your workout without the need for bulky/multiple equipment.
The Best Pilates bands to shop now:
1. Most highly-rated Pilates bands
Boasting a 4.4-star rating from over 11,000 reviews, these are the most highly-rated Pilates bands in this list. They come colour-coded, so you know which level of resistance to choose for different workouts, and have a classic open-ended strap design which is super versatile.
Do note that you'll have to buy each band separately, and some reviewers have commented that even the lightest band is quite strong, so if you're after a softer resistance, keep scrolling.
2. Most affordable Pilates bands
You'll get four Pilates bands in this set for under £8, making it excellent value for money. The bands are lightweight yet sturdy, and the wide bands don't roll up like some designs tend to do. The versatile bands can be used for Pilates and yoga, but also strength training and physiotherapy exercises too.
3. Expert-approved Pilates bands
Grant uses the Pilates-Mad resistance bands in her studio, and couldn’t recommend them more. “I find medium resistance bands are helpful and the most versatile”, says Grant, “remember, you can give yourself more resistance by changing where you hold the band/wrapping it around multiple times or doubling it up etc. - without needing multiple bands of different resistance.
4. Best looped Pilates bands
If you're after a loop - rather than strap- design Pilates band, this set of five is a great option. Each band is made using natural rubber and comes in varying degrees of resistance - from light to XX-heavy. As Grant points out, the looped Pilates band makes a great option for glute activation exercises when worn above the knees or to bind the legs together.
5. Best fabric Pilates bands
Hear me out: fabric Pilates bands might not be the traditional choice, but I personally prefer the softer, more grippy material as it doesn't roll down or get slippery with sweat after an intense workout. Tiwari agrees, stating "I often go for fabric over elastic bands as material is far more comfortable and won’t slip down as easily. Onyx sell gorgeously soft, luxury feel and neutral toned resistance bands that Tiwari loves.
These Arena Strength looped bands are also a great option. They might be on the pricey side, but the rave reviews speak for themselves - they're durable, soft against the skin, super stretchy, plus you'll get four bands (which you can double up for increased resistance) and a comprehensive printed guide to help you get the most out of them.
6. Best short bands for increased resistance
Okay, we're veering even further away from the more traditional Pilates band design here, but I personally love to use shorter fabric resistance bands like these for increased resistance when doing glute exercises on a mat. Loop them around your thighs, just above the knees, to increase resistance during small-movement exercises, like glute bridges and moves that work the outer thighs. These bands come in three levels of resistance and don't roll down whatsoever thanks to the thick, grippy material.
What is the difference between Pilates bands and resistance bands?
According to Tiwari, "resistance bands tend to be thicker, with greater range in their resistance level which is amazing for when you’re measuring your progress as you can go up to a heavier or more resistant band. You can use them for low resistance rehab and strength building." Meanwhile, "Pilates bands are light weight, flatter bands that are great to increase your core stability and improve flexibility."
Grant states: “personally, I feel they’re the same thing. However, some argue that Pilates bands are typically lighter and designed to add resistance to Pilates movements, focusing more on controlled, low-impact exercises, while resistance bands come in various resistance levels. They are used for a wide range of strength training exercises, and so are often heavier and more durable for weight-bearing movements.”
