Resistance Band

Flex Bands or Thera Bands can be found at local fitness equipment shops like Fitness Depot, and sometimes at stores like Loblaws, Superstore, Winners,  HomeSense, Canadian Tire, etc. that carry small sports equipment.

We recommend a band approximately 6.5 to 7 feet long.

Substitution ideas: If you don't have a Flex Band, circle, you could substitute tubing, or any type of stretchy resistance bands... approximately 6 to 7 feet in length. 

Online purchase: There are MANY options available on Amazon or Merrithew

 3 ft Foam Roller

Foam Rollers can be found at local fitness equipment shops like Fitness Depot, and sometimes at stores like Loblaws, Superstore, Winners,  HomeSense, Canadian Tire, etc. that carry small sports equipment.

We recommend 36 inch foam roller.  

Substitution ideas: If you don't have a 3 ft foam roller you could use a large pool noodle or a 1/2 foam roller.  

Online purchase: There are MANY options available on Amazon or Merrithew

Stability Cushion

Stability Cushions can be found at local fitness equipment shops like Fitness Depot, and sometimes at stores like Winners,  HomeSense, Canadian Tire, etc. that carry small sports equipment.

We recommend an inflatable small cushion approx 13 cm diameter

Online purchase: There are MANY options available on Amazon or Merrithew

Head Prop

Depending on your posture, you may or may not need a head prop for supine exercises.   Use of a head prop is to ensure that head and neck placement is neutral and tension free. 

No need to purchase something specific for your head prop, you can use items found at home, such as a folded up hand towel, a few magazines, a thin book, a small cushion.  

If you do want to purchase something specific ... usually a garden kneeling pad is about the right size.  It can also be used for kneeling exercises. 

Fitness Circle

Fitness Circles or Pilates Rings can be found at local fitness equipment shops like Fitness Depot, and sometimes at stores like Loblaws, Superstore, Winners,  HomeSense, Canadian Tire, etc. that carry small sports equipment.

Substitution ideas: If you don't have a fitness circle, you could substitute a full paper towel roll, or a short foam roller. 

Online purchase: There are MANY options available on Amazon or Merrithew.  

Sliding Discs

Sliding discs or Gliders can be found at local fitness equipment shops like Fitness Depot, and sometimes at stores like Loblaws, Superstore, Winners,  HomeSense, Canadian Tire, etc. that carry small sports equipment.

Substitution ideas:  If you are working out on a carpeted floor, you could use paper plates, plastic plates, tupperware lids, plastic bags.  If you are working out on a wood floor you could use face cloths. 

Online purchase: Sliders or Gliders are available for on Amazon and at Merrithew 

Toning Balls

We use sets of one pound or two pound Toning Balls.  Finding toning balls at local fitness equipment shops has been difficult during the pandemic.  

Substitution ideas: If you don't have toning balls, you could substitute hand weights, cans of soup/beans, filled water bottles.  

Online purchase: There are MANY options available on Amazon or Merrithew

Mini Stability Balls

Mini-stability balls can be found at local fitness equipment shops like Fitness Depot, and sometimes at stores like Loblaws, Superstore, Winners,  HomeSense, Canadian Tire, etc. that carry small sports equipment.

We recommend a small air ball approx 8 to 12 inches  

Substitution ideas: If you don't have a mini stability ball you could use any type of small air ball approximately 8 - 12 inches diameter.  Check out your local dollar store in the toy section.  

Online purchase: There are MANY options available on Amazon or Merrithew

Small Air Balls or Smiley Face Balls

We use small air balls (approximately 3 to 4  inches in diameter) during our stretching classes.   They are great to use for self massage under hips, shoulders, and / or our feet.  

There is a set called the Miracle Ball that is available with a book available on Amazon.  

However, we have found an affordable option available at Dollarama in the kids toy section that are scented.

Pilates Bar

The Pilates Bar adds some great resistance and variety to our virtual workouts.  It allows us to incorporate some exercises to emulate the reformer.  

Available to purchase from the studio for $16. Please email or text to arrange purchase and pickup. 

Also available to purchase online at Amazon or Gaiam

Balance Pods or Hedgehogs

Balance Pods or hedgehogs are a great addition to our mat or reformer workouts.  They can be used to massage out various body parts (feet, hips etc), and they can be incorporated to provide some balance challenge.  

Available to purchase from the studio for $20. Please email or text to arrange purchase and pickup. 

Also available to purchase online at Amazon, Merrithew or various other retailers. 

Hand Towel(s)

Having a hand towel or two on hand is helpful to use as a head prop or to roll up under the lumbar spine or neck as support. 

Yoga Block

Yoga blocks are helpful when we are doing seated exercises.  At times we will use them under our wrists or knees for kneeling exercises.  They are great to use for side lying exercises as a head prop.  

Yoga blocks can be found at local fitness equipment shops like Fitness Depot, and sometimes at stores like Loblaws, Superstore, Winners,  HomeSense, Canadian Tire, etc. 

Substitution ideas: If you don't have a yoga block, a small cushion, books, pillows, or small stool might work. 

Online purchase: There are MANY options available on Amazon and other online retailers

Yoga Strap

We recommend using a Yoga Strap during our stretching classes.  

There are so many options on where to purchase a yoga strap at local fitness equipment shops like Fitness Depot, and sometimes at stores like Loblaws, Superstore, Winners,  HomeSense, Canadian Tire, etc. 

Substitution ideas: If you don't have a yoga strap... a fabric belt would be a good substitute.  Another alternative would be to use a flex band. 

Online purchase: There are MANY options available on Amazon and other online retailers

Massage Balls

We often use Massage Balls during our stretching classes. 

While we recommend Yoga Tune Up Self Massage Balls... there are many types of massage balls available for purchase. 

Small massage balls can be purchased at local fitness equipment shops like Fitness Depot, and sometimes at stores like Loblaws, Superstore, Winners,  HomeSense, Canadian Tire, etc. 

Substitution ideas: If you don't have a massage balls you could use lacrosse balls or firm tennis balls.  

Online purchase: There are MANY options available on Amazon and other online retailers. 

Pilates Mat

We recommend that you use an exercise mat that is at least 1/4 inch and up to 1/2 inch thick  when participating in LIVE virtual Pilates mat classes. 

Many yoga mats are only 1/8 inch thick and will NOT provide enough support and cushioning for your spine while doing Pilates exercises. 

There are so many options on where to purchase an exercise mat at local fitness equipment shops like Fitness Depot, and sometimes at stores like Loblaws, Superstore, Winners,  HomeSense, Canadian Tire, etc. 

Online purchase:  There are MANY options available on Amazon or Merrithew and other online retailers.