New Uses for Old Things: Surprising Pilates Props You Have at Home
Have you tried Virtual Pilates yet? This is a fun way to workout at home with a Pilates Instructor, while also having proper form and not overworking yourself. Taking Pilates at home can absolutely be done without any equipment at all. I am a very creative person and so are my clients. We’ve all come up with some creative ways to use the things we already have around the house to liven up workouts or support your body. Like my favorite magazine Real Simple, I’ve complied a list of new uses for old things.
BATH MAT
You can use a bath mat for multiple things. First of all if you do have an exercise mat and it is sliding around a bit you can put a no slip bath mat underneath in the middle to keep your mat from slipping. If you do not have an exercise mat you can put it under two towels to give you a little extra cushion for your spine and head.
If you need more support for your neck you can roll or fold your bath mat up to give some lift and support for your head when lying on your back.
TOWELS
There are lots of uses for towels and you can use different types of towels to do different things. You can use two fluffy bath towels on top of one another if you don’t have an exercise mat or if you want some extra cushion.
You can use a beach towel or a bath towel for stretching assistance. You can hook it on to your foot to stretch your leg or roll a couple towels up together like a foam roller or bolster.
You can roll up a towel to put under your head to help you work your abdominals without putting stress on your neck and shoulders.
If you have a hardwood or linoleum floor, you can use a dishtowel or two as a glider to simulate a reformer.
GOLF CLUB, BROOM HANDLE
A golf club or broom handle can be used to give you upper body awareness. Holding on to a golf club in both hands with your arms shoulder width apart can help you feel where your upper body is during the Roll Up and other exercises. This can also help with the Roll Up if you have trouble keeping your legs on the ground without a strap for support.
You can use a golf club or a broom handle to assist in stretching your upper body as well.
STURDY DINING ROOM CHAIR
You can use a sturdy chair for support in doing lots of exercises. Make sure the chair is sturdy, doesn’t rock or slide around. This one might be the most versatile of all the things you already have at home. You can use this for assisted squats or practicing getting up and down without using your hands like you would on the reformer.
You can use it to work your upper body and like a barre to work on your lower body with balance support.
You can do an entire workout with the chair!
PAPER PLATES
If you have a hardwood or linoleum floor you can use paper plates instead of a dishtowel to get resistance and sliding motion like a reformer. You can also use them while standing, if you have a wall with a somewhat slick surface to work your arms without putting pressure on them while being on the floor.
PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES
PLEASE do not use canned food for weights. Canned food is heavy and if you drop it on your foot or something else you run the risk of breaking something or injuring yourself. You can use plastic water bottles of the same size for a less dangerous way to get some weight work if you don’t have weights at home.
There are so many options to use the things you already have at home to give your new virtual exercise routine some spice but you don’t have to use any of these things. If you want to finally try Pilates I have a few options for you. I have a group class Monday, Wednesday and Fridays at noon CDT. I have some rare morning slots open for private sessions or duets, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays at 7 AM CDT. There are also some afternoon slots available. You can sign up here for privates and here for classes. I would love to teach some new uses for your body with Pilates! Have you found some new uses for old things at your house? Let me know in the comments!
