Some of the favorite props all in one place that make for great gifts!
Massage & Recovery Tools
Gaiam Restore Pressure Point Muscle Roller Massage Stick
It looks painful but it feels wonderful. Releases and massage muscles. Keep one under your desk to rejuvenated your feet.
Virginia’s 2023 Holiday Favorite:
RENPHO Thermacool Massage Gun Deep Tissue with Heat and Cold Heads
Hyperice Products
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Hand held devices see all the options. |
Hyperice’s Hypersphere Vibrating Therapy Ball |
Hyperice’s Massaging Roller, the “Viper” |
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Viper Go, Portable version |
No longer made but you can find on some website through Google searches: Viper 2 |
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A good Alternative to the Hyperice
Brain Speed Ball
Developed by Trent McEntire, McEntire Pilates. See Home Workouts for speed ball games.
Brain speed ball work is appropriate for every person, any level, athlete or seniors as well as kids.
Purchase from Begin Again:
Dr Teal’s, our favorite brand of Epsom Salts
I’ve found that the best price for this brand is often at Ulta.com. My favorite for soreness is the Detox with Ginger and Clay. Use 1-2 cups per bath (yes, that’s a lot).
Books
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| Breath | Exercised | Sports Gene |
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Gertie Balls: Mini Exercise Ball
A great prop for any Pilates workout and barre. Virginia often refers to these as the 9″ balls.
Pro Body |
Franklin Brand Balls
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Back up brands:
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Dumbells & Ankle Weights
Free Weights from Amazon
They come in every variety…
Amazon’s set with a stand: sets of 2lb, 3lb, 5lb
With the above link you can also access neoprene pairs of weights from 1lbs through 20lbs.
Nice C Weights: Adjustable Dumbbells, Neoprene 10-in-1 Options
2.3 to 4.5 lbs each weight.
The ratings are good but I’ve not tried them. I like the concept and saving space.
JFIT Dumbbell Hand Weight Pairs and Sets
Neoprene and Vinyl Dumbbell Pairs Options or 7 Neoprene Dumbbell Rack Set Options – Premium Non-Slip, Color Coded Hex Shaped Hand Weights
Virginia’s Favorite and also sold at the Sports Basement:
JFIT Neoprene D Grip Dumbbells – Premium Non-Slip, Hand Weights, Ergonomic Design
Sold as single weights, 1 – 5LBs.
Ankle Weights
Adjustable Ankle Weights Ankle/Wrist Weights (1 Pair) with Adjustable Strap (2lbs, 3lbs, 4lbs, 6lbs, 8lbs & 10lbs). You can change the weight of each between 2lbs to 10lbs.
Bala
The designer brand that is really quite lovely and quite pricey.
1lb set
2lb set
Balls & Spikey Balls
You’ll find that you want to start with a bigger softer ball (tennis ball). As your muscles and fascia loosen up, you’ll find you can tolerate and like the spiker and stiffer balls. Also, your feet might want one consistency but say your back or IT Band needs another consistency. So having a variety ends up being what most clients want for long-term maintenance. Tennis balls and lacrosse balls also can work quite well.
Pinky Balls by Balanced Body
- SMALL MASSAGE BALL: Our small rubber ball measures 2.5″ (7 cm). It is often used as a massage ball for feet, but it can also be used for other target areas, such as the shoulders, neck, hips, and hands. It can help improve standing posture and gait.
- DURABLE & COMFORTABLE: Our strong ball massager is made out of hard rubber, making it extremely durable. Plus, the hard natural rubber helps to provide intense pressure to those extra-stubborn spots that hold lots of tension.
- DESIGNED FOR ACTIVE LIFESTYLES: Our mini massager ball is well suited for athletes and fitness enthusiasts who have sore or tense muscles. Spice up your home-gym equipment and daily routine with this hard rubber ball.
- TRAVEL MASSAGE BALL: Due to its small and lightweight design, this self-massaging tool can easily be moved. No matter where you go, your Pilates exercise routine won’t get off track because you can take this ball with you when you travel.
- BALANCED BODY: Balanced Body is dedicated to providing Pilates-based education and equipment that empowers users to be mindful of movement, make healthy lifestyle changes, and ultimately find balance.
FitNext Massage Balls
Feet, Back, Neck, Hands – Spiky Body Massager Rollers for Plantar Fasciitis, Deep Tissue, Muscle Relief, Trigger Point Therapy.
- SPIKY MASSAGE BALL SET – includes 3 balls with hard, medium and soft spikes of varying length for different exercises and therapy
- RELIEVES PAIN AND TENSION – exercise roller balls massage your body, reach deep tissue, target trigger points and relax sore muscles
- UNIVERSAL MASSAGE TOOLS – with more than 200 pressure points they can be used as foot balls, back rollers, neck, shoulder and hand massagers
- DURABLE AND LIGHTWEIGHT – 3.15 inch exercise roller balls are extremely portable and can be carried anywhere you need them
- RELATED – foam roller, plantar fasciitis ball, therapy ball for hands, vibrating massager, rolling spike ball, spiked fascia roller, stiff neck relief, lacrosse therapy ball
“Gumball” bouncy balls
- Just ask Virginia for one.
Yamuna Body Rolling Foot Wakers
- Stimulates the feet and improves circulation
- Versatile, convenient and easy to use
- Compact, portable and perfect for travel
- Used for people with fallen arches, plantar fascitis, sore feet, reflexology, bunions and hammertoes
- Kit contains 2 Yamuna Foot Wakers and instructional DVD
Grip Socks: ToeSox & Tavi Noir
When doing Pilates work I highly recommend having socks with grips on the bottom. Your feet will be less likely too slide and it will increase your proprecieption of your feet.
Below is my favorite brand and I actually carry these at the Begin Again Studio. I really like the separate toes as it provides more grip and awareness + sensory feedback for “getting into” your feet.
| Grip Socks by Tavi Noir | Barre Sock (pad under the ball of the foot) |
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Therabands
Virginia uses bands made by Theraband and a few others. Make sure to take care of them and keep them out of the sun. Replace when they show wear.
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Band Accessories:
From Amazon: |
| Heavy Resistance 3 pack of 5′ theraband set from Amazon bands are only about 5 feet each |
Low to Medium Resistance 3 pack of 5′ Theraband set from Amazon | |
Special 8′ bands cut by VirginiaGreat for her classes to do all the roll down and leg work. Normal Amazon bands are too short. |
Circular Band Options
Virginia uses these in most leg oriented workouts. They are also fantastic for shoulder girdle work.
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| Versatile 5 band set | Heaviest band set by Perform Better | Versatile 3 band set |
Foam Rollers
White Models: Just a good ole standard foam roller for most people to lie on head to tail.
1/2 circle of the white density
Blue Models: much quite softer: all length’s, full circular rollers, & 1/2 rollers
Blacks Models: much firmer foam rollers. Not for the faint of heart.
Either model, I recommend the 30-36″ lengths so you can lay on them with the foam roller supporting you from your head to tail bone.
White Standard Firmness |
Softer Blue Rollers by OPTP |
Black Roller: High Density/Firm
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Hyperice’s Massaging Roller, the “Viper” 2.0
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Yoga Bolsters
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