The Best Pilates Gifts, According to Pilates People

Grip socks not only guard against athlete’s foot, they’re actually required at most reformer studios since they help with stability and traction. There are a number of popular options available, but I find myself reaching for this lemon-dotted pair from Lucky Honey first. (They’re also helpful when wearing slipperyclogs.)

For a more minimalistic pair, go for these grip socks that Strategist writer Brenley Goertzen says are plenty stick-y. “I own many other grips socks, but I’m always sad when my Pointe Studio ones are dirty,” she says, adding, “They don’t lose their grip after washing.”

After noticing mynatural deodorantwas leaving white streaks on my mat during heated classes, I went ona hunt for a natural deodorant that actually works. I’ve been using this one since August and am happy to report it causes no white sweat stains on my clothes or mat — just a whole day of odor protection whether I’m doing a heated class or tanning by the pool. Plus it comes in chic packaging that I wouldn’t mind pulling out of my bag after a sweaty class.

This Japanese-designed Kinto bottle will fit right into the minimalistic aesthetic of a boutique Pilates studio. And don’t worry about kicking it over: “It’s made from copolyester, a thermoplastic resin that has the appearance of glass but is much more durable and lightweight,” says our senior kitchen and dining writer, Emma Wartzman, who named itthe best minimalist stylish water bottle.

Here’s a thoughtfully marbled yoga block that won’t sully their living room décor if they accidentally leave it out after an at-home Pilates session.

If the thought of dropping $100 on leggings makes you wince, there’s always this pair fromOld Navy’s Powersoft linethat our writer Tembe Denton-Hurst bought 12 times. They come in three lengths — petite, regular, and tall — and she says “it’s my perfect material — thin but not slippery and opaque enough that you can’t see my undies when I squat.”

Packed with hypochlorous acid, this toner spray can be spritzed after class to reduce the bacterial load on your skin that might cause acne down the line. It’s also available in a cutetravel sizethat’s easy to pop in a workout bag.

At one point, regulars at the invite-only studio Forma could grab a silk Slip scrunchie from a bowl in the bathroom. Forma instructor Alexandra Berggren says, “Because my hair is in a ponytail almost every day, I don’t want breakage. So every hair person I’ve had is like, ‘Just buy the silk ones and keep it on your wrist. It’s cute, and it’s not gonna damage your hair.”

Electrolytes are an easy way to replenish sodium levels after a heated Pilates class. After trying just about every electrolyte on the market, our contributor Katie Stone foundPludo’sis the most tasty (as in, the perfect balance of salty and sweet). While her favorite flavor, the pink yuzu, is currently out of stock, I think the lemon is even tastier since it’s less sweet.

The Pilates person in your life might already have a pair (or two) of Lululemon’s Align leggings, but the brand has been catching my eye recently with its patterned activewear. As someone on astripe kick, I’m partial to this one, but there’s also a rather elevatedjacquard sports brathat’s on my wish list.

Our beauty writer, Dominique Pariso, had given up ondry shampoountil she triedthis one from K18that leaves her scalp feeling clean and her hair looking freshly washed and styled. “I’m a sweaty person by nature, and I usually leave the gym looking like I have just stepped out of a sauna. But somehow the AirWash absorbed my sweat-drenched hair, too,” she reports.

Personal towels are a nonnegotiable in hot Pilates classes, and it’s a mystery as to how well those studio towels are washed. Treat a Pilates enthusiast with a monogrammed version ofour favorite towelthat’s soft, cushiony, bouncy, and exceedingly absorbent. (Just make sure you click “hand towel” instead of “bath towel” in the menu.)

Especially after an intense winter class, a commute home in the cold is a shock to the system. Sure, throwing on a good old pair of sweats will do the trick, but these leg warmers from Bombas are much more fun.

Consider thisscented sacheta gentle reminder that gym bags don’t smell nice no matter how aesthetically pleasing the workout is. It keeps all the clothing in my suitcase smelling fresh even after a week of vacation.

While this little wristlet from Lululemon is especiallypopular among new drivers, I think it would make a nice gift for the Pilates princess who travels lightly, too.

Compared to the flat mats in Goertzen’s storage closet, this foldable one from Stakt doesn’t unravel. “It also has the advantage of doubling as a block for added versatility outside your regular mat Pilates workouts, from elevated planks to using it as a step stool,” she writes inour guide to Pilates mats.

Lately, it feels like just about everyone in New York City owns a pair of Adidas track pants. If you’d like to take a step up from the polyester pair, go forthese cotton-nylon ones from With Jéanthat come recommended by Melissa Castillo, a Pilates enthusiast and art director at Ceremonia. “They’re super-cute but also still comfy and athletic,” she says.

It’s not rare to see at least one person wearing ankle weights during a mat Pilates class. These from Bala, which you can personalize for an extra $25, are the buzziest of the bunch, but there are plenty ofnearly-as-pretty affordable optionslike these that I use while working out at home.

This two-in-one roller and water bottle is one of my go-to gifts for the gym rats and Pilates people in my life. Just note: Since it’s smaller than your averagefoam roller, it’s best for targeted foam rolling, like massaging one leg at a time.

This year, a new activewear trend has been coming for the matching set: The layered bra. While you can find options almost anywhere fromFormtoAbercrombie, SET Active’s breathable bras are especially popular. In fact, the brand has become integral to theWest Village girl uniform.

Ballerina-core has also made its way onto the Pilates scene, particularly in the form of wrap tops like this one, which Berggren likes to wear over a sports bra while taking classes on cold days.

As of late, Australian activewear brand CSB has been making a name for itself as a proprietor of cute sports bras and“invisible scrunch” leggings. Shawnee Kvashicka, a Forma instructor, told me she’s noticed twisted bras like these are one of the brand’s most popular styles.

According to our expert from across the pond, senior editorAilbhe Malone, all the girls in North and East London wear Adanola. After I noticed the brand popping up more in New York, I called in a few pieces to try and have been turning to this heavyweight knit zip-up ever since the temperatures dropped below 50 degrees. After all, what you wear to the studio is just as important as what you wear in class.

[Editor’s note: Adanola lists all prices in pounds, so the price shown is an approximate conversion to U.S. dollars.]

Don’t let thisblender’smade-for-Instagram aesthetic fool you: It’s capable of making never-gritty smoothies that you can sip right out of the canister with the included cap and straw.

Fromits collaborationwithteen-loved sweatshirt brandMadhappy to a mention on Liana Satenstein’s Substack newsletter,Neverworns, FreeCity has officially been revived. Its sweatpants, in particular, have been making appearances in Forma classes since this spring.

Hannah Burkhart, a Forma regular and the marketing director at Catch Hospitality Group, styles her Splits59 stirrup leggings with loafers and a blazer. There’s just one problem: They’re often sold out. “I went to buy a second pair, and I was like, ‘Okay, I guess the girls know now,’” she says.

Weighing in at just under a pound, our favorite portable massage gun is an easy addition to any busy Pilates lover’s bag. Plus, since “the grip is close to the head, you’ll be able to get closer to the muscle and apply more pressure to your body,” writes Goertzen inour guide to massage guns.

It has been a few years since Salomon’s sneakers expanded past the hiker-verse, and as of late, they’ve been integral to Pilates uniforms, according to Ella Wong, a model who takes classes at Jetset Pilates and Forma. Since these shoes are often out of stock, I recommend signing up for restock notifications to stay on top of sizing.

In the fall,mini UGGsare another easy shoe to slip on after class. They’d pair nicely with the leg warmers above, too.

When Goetzen wears this playsuit to her Solidcore classes, she finds it’s plenty supportive thanks to its wide straps. “It’s a nice alternative to the more popular brands like Lululemon, Alo, Form, and Set Active,” she adds.

A true Pilates princess keeps her jewelry on no matter how hard the class is. As such, solid-gold hoops like this pair that I got for my birthday won’t tarnish at the sight of sweat.

If she’s set on earrings, consider this simple solid-gold bracelet that comes recommended by our resident jewelry collector, Ambar Pardilla.

The Aritzia name goes far in Pilates studios, and the Canadian brand’s zip-upfleeceis an easy layer to shed. “It’s extremely warm and looks great with leggings,” says senior writer Lauren Ro, who bought the Hi-hip (a.k.a. cropped) version. “It hits just above the hip on an average-torso’d person, but on me, it hits slightly below, which I like.”

Last but not least, we have an actual Pilates reformer for anyone whose floor plan and budget allows. ActressAshley Parkcounts it among the items she can’t live without and says, “There’s infinite ways to use it to exercise different parts of your body.”