Since I started training exclusively at home three years ago, my fitness equipment collection has grown to include ankle weights, dumbbells, jump ropes, and kettlebells. One of his recent purchases is a Pilates ring, a circular accessory that resembles a mini hula hoop with a handle. It was at the bottom of my fitness wish list because I didn’t know how to use it, but after incorporating it into my virtual barre, Pilates, and HIIT classes, I wish I had bought it sooner.
Pilates rings (also known as magic circles) add an extra level of resistance to your exercises, forcing you to engage your core while using them. Flat Iron He Pilates owner and instructor Amy Nelms calls it an “all-purpose strengthener,” noting that it’s perfect for adding extra strength training to any workout.
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“Magic circles strengthen hard-to-reach areas, so I like using them.” [it] In addition to deepening your work, [also] It helps improve alignment,” she says.
With few options on the market, we spoke to fitness experts about the features you should consider when purchasing a Pilates ring. Pilates rings, despite their name, are not just used for Pilates. We’ve also rounded up some of the experts’ favorite Pilates rings.
What is a Pilates ring?
According to experts, Joseph Pilates is credited with inventing Pilates and is also credited with inventing the Pilates ring.
“Legend has it that the first magic circle was a beer keg ring,” says Kristen Lilly, a Pilates instructor at Asphalt Green, a nonprofit that offers fitness programs in New York City. “Currently, rings are made of either plastic, metal or steel with two padded handles on each side, making them one of the most utilized props in Pilates practice.”
The purpose of a Pilates ring is to provide support for some exercises and increase the intensity and difficulty of others, said Daniel Miller, director of personal training and Pilates at Fitness Unlimited, a Massachusetts gym. It is said that Lilly adds that Pilates rings can help stabilize the core, create a moderate amount of resistance, and can be used to target and tone specific areas of the body, such as the arms, chest, and inner and outer thighs. Ta.
Miller said it’s a popular prop in mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates classes, as well as barre classes to work the lower body and core. She points out that it can also provide support while stretching.
Best Pilates Rings to Buy in 2024
When it comes to Pilates rings, experts recommend purchasing models with handles. This allows you to focus on your form instead of holding the prop. All of the Pilates rings below include handles, with the exception of the Rose Power Ring as it is a weighted option. Weighted Pilates rings usually do not have handles. Experts also recommend looking for Pilates rings that are 14-inch or 15-inch models (these are considered “standard” sizes), and the options below are all available in one of these sizes is.
Most of the Pilates rings below have been recommended by experts and include top-rated products that NBC Select staff use for their at-home workouts.
balance body ultra fit circle
All three experts recommend the Balanced Body Ultra-Fit Circle. “I love the standard 15-inch ring from Balanced Body when teaching group classes, and would also recommend it to anyone looking for a unique Pilates accessory,” Lily said. say. “It’s very sturdy. [and] It is durable and has a comfortable handle. ” The Balance Body Ultra Fit Circle features padded handles on the inside and outside of the ring and is made of plastic with a soft rubber shell. You can purchase the 15-inch version, as Lilly recommends, or, for a smaller size, the 12-inch Ultra Fit Circle Mini.
STOTT Pilates Fitness Circle Pro
Both Nelms and Lily recommend the STOTT Pilates Fitness Circle Pro. According to Lilly, the brand’s Pilates rings come in a “variety of sizes and resistance levels” and are suitable for beginners and Pilates pros alike. Rings come in 12-inch and 14-inch sizes and are available in colors such as blue, purple, and black. The ring itself is made of steel and features inner and outer foam grips.
professional body pilates ring circle
This Pilates ring is a favorite of NBC Select Editorial Project Manager Rebecca Rodriguez, who has been practicing Pilates for over three years. She says she has a love-hate relationship with the Pilates ring. The reason is: “Exercise is always tough, but the results are… [her] Core strength and posture are valuable. “The ProBody Pilates ring is lightweight yet sturdy, so you don’t have to worry about it breaking when you pull or push it during certain exercises,” she says. She says, “It also came with a brochure that listed multiple workouts you could do with the ring. I liked how it detailed both ring and body position.”
rose power ring
Weighted rings like Bala’s power ring aren’t traditionally used in Pilates, but Lily says they can increase the intensity of your workout. However, most weighted rings don’t have handles, which makes it even more important to pay attention to form while using them, she says. Bala’s power rings are available in 5-pound, 8-pound, 10-pound, and 15-pound options and in several colors including charcoal, sand, shine, and blush. The ring is made of steel and covered with soft silicone. Diameters range from 6 inches to 15 inches depending on the weight selected.
Gaiam Pilates Ring
When I was looking to purchase a Pilates ring, I was drawn to Gaiam’s options since they are my favorite brand to make yoga mats and other fitness accessories. The 15-inch ring features foam handles that contract when pressure is applied to each side to provide increased resistance to your exercises.
How to buy Pilates rings
When purchasing a Pilates ring, Lily says the first thing you need to consider is the size. Rings range in diameter from 12 to 15 inches, but standard rings are 14 inches.
“Although you can perform all the exercises with a 14-inch ring, the smaller ring provides a greater range of motion for lower body exercises,” Lilly says. “Smaller rings are best for people who are petite or have limited range of motion.”
Experts say Pilates rings made of metal and plastic provide just the right amount of resistance to users. According to Lily, such rings are often used in classic mat Pilates classes at beginner and intermediate levels. Most Pilates rings also have a handle, which Miller says is usually covered in neoprene or foam padding. She points out that this cushions the shock of the handle and gives you a better grip during your workout.
Lily says that if you use a Pilates ring for a while, you’ll develop stronger muscles over time. At this point, you may want to invest in a steel Pilates ring, which is more resistant and recommended for experienced users.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have expertise and authority based on relevant training and experience. We also take steps to ensure that all professional advice and recommendations are made independently and without any confidential financial conflicts of interest.
- kristen lily I am a Pilates instructor at Asphalt Green, a nonprofit organization that provides fitness programs in New York City.
- amy nelms I am the owner and instructor of Flatiron Pilates.
- daniel miller Director of Personal Training and Pilates at Fitness Unlimited in Massachusetts
Why trust NBC Select?
Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter at NBC Select. Zoe Malin is NBC Select’s What’s New Editor and writes about fitness equipment, kitchen tools, pet supplies, and more. In this article, we interviewed experts about how to buy She Pilates She Rings and compiled top-rated options, expert picks, and NBC Select She Staff Recommendations.
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