5 best pilates bars 2023

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With options that start from £4.19

Many of us are feeling the pinch at the moment, and in times of financial strain it's often the gym membership that's first to go.

There are plenty of ways to keep fit at home, thankfully, and if you're a Pilates pro you're in a good position to keep your practice going from home. There are plenty of home Pilates workouts you can follow, and you don't need much kit to make it feel like an intense workout.

Reformer Pilates has increased in popularity over the past couple of years, but sessions can be even more expensive than the traditional method. There's a piece of kit that reformer Pilates enthusiasts can buy to help them recreate these kinds of workouts at home, and it's called a Pilates Bar.

If you prefer to practice Pilates from the comfort of your own home, a Pilates bar is going to help you take your workout to the next level.

Although Pilates doesn't require equipment, there are certain tools that can enhance your workout - and the Pilates bar is one of them. Essentially, the bar adds resistance to your movements that deepens their effectiveness.

If you've ever used resistance bands before, the concept is similar. The bar uses elasticated bands that work with your body weight to add intensity to your movements throughout your Pilates workout.

If you find the right one, Pilates bars can be an easy (and relatively budget-friendly) way to make the most of your time on the mat and really make sure you're feeling the burn.

If you've been at it for a while and feel like you've hit a Pilates plateau as of late, investing in one of these bars can give you an extra challenge by making your workout harder than it would be just using body weight.

The bars are lightweight and small enough to stow away with ease, making them ideal for those short on space and those who want to bring some workout equipment travelling.

Ok, ok - you've heard enough about why you need a Pilates bar and are ready to discover what Pilates bar you should buy. We've gone ahead and rounded up five of the best you can buy in the UK now, so keep scrolling through to find your match.

Selling themselves as the 'key to unlocking astounding abs' this Pilates bar from SMUG is ideal for anyone on a journey towards a six pack, and is versatile enough to work for full body workouts

The foam is super soft so it feels comfortable against your neck if you use the bar for squats and lunges, and shouldn't dig into your skin.

Additionally, the bar comes with a carry bag that makes it easy to bring along with you on your travels.

Don't make the mistake of thinking a Pilates workout is easy, anyone who's a regular Pilates practicer will tell you the burn is very real.

You can take that burn to new heights with this kit from Cretee that allows you to up your resistance by up to 80kg by using the bands.

The kit comes with six bands that have a resistance of up to 14 kg each that can be used together to build up to the maximum weight.

This comprehensive kit includes everything you need for head to toe muscle tone, with the bar breaking down into an even smaller size making it perfect for confined spaces.

The included resistance bands are 13 and 18 kg, which can be used separately for lower intensity or together if you really want to increase the intensity of your workout.

This one isn't just a Pilates bar, it's a portable home gym that can be put together in different formulations to complete different workouts.

You can of course do your traditional Pilates bar workout, but you can also work your abs, arms, back, and legs with a strength training session.

Between uses, you can stow the kit away under your sofa or bed to save room.

This Pilates bar from the Physio Room proves you really don't have to break the bank to do a Pilates session at home.

This bar is more of a simple. no-frills option than the others on this list, coming with just the bar and adjustable resistance bands that are perfect for low-impact workouts like yoga and Pilates.

As you can adjust the bands, you can switch up the intensity of your workouts to suit your needs and push yourself to reach new goals.

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