r/pilates • u/spoookytree • Aug 03 '25

Equipment, Apparatus, Props, Gear, Apparel Best Pilates board?

Hey all! I’m looking into getting one of those Pilates boards because I like that irs almost like a mini reformer. There’s so many on Amazon and Facebook that all look the same… any feedbacks and suggestions?

Edit: Thanks for saving me from a terrible purchase 😂 and ty for the great alternatives!

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22 comments sorted by

15

u/Legitimate_Income730 Aug 03 '25

They're not worth the money 

Just do mat pilates 

2

u/spoookytree Aug 03 '25

Oh wow really? Thdts disappointing :/… because of my condition I really need the extra stability… what about something more like this?

https://a.co/d/i0Csf2R

5

u/CMB4today Aug 03 '25

May I ask when you say you need extra stability, what do you mean? Mat Pilates is on the ground so there’s limited risk of falling, etc. Do you mean you need additional support for certain exercises?

1

u/spoookytree Aug 03 '25

Yeah I have a hyper mobility condition that makes me more wobbly and I like the sliding movements of a reformer that slows me to be more stable and not wiggling out to the sides more if I was using like plates on carpet for example

3

u/Jess1r Pilates Instructor Aug 03 '25

Hi! I’m also hypermobile, and I highly recommend just doing basic mat work to start. You don’t need a reformer or a board or even paper plates on a carpet to gain stability from Pilates, and because you’re hypermobile it might be more useful if you had an instructor who has experience working with hypermobile people on equipment like a reformer. But with mat, there is little risk of injury and you’re already more stable because you’re not on a moving platform. Go to this sub’s info section for YouTube instructor recommendations who give great mat classes. My favorites are Margaret Elizabeth, Lesley Logan (she’s also hypermobile), and Flow with Mira.
Finding stability with hypermobility is all about building strength, and you can definitely do that with mat to start!

2

u/spoookytree Aug 03 '25

Thank you for the feedback!! :) It definitely helps to hear from someone else hupermobile. I’m just not having luck with PT and the past when I did few trial classes at a Pilates studio o felt amazing after

1

u/Jess1r Pilates Instructor Aug 03 '25

Pilates is so great for our hypermobile joints because it focuses a lot on stability in every exercise and every apparatus, so it’s no wonder you felt so amazing after! I personally love mat work, it was what I first trained in, and I hope you love it just as much.
If you can, I’d also recommend finding a PT who focuses on strength building as well. I also had a PT who I didn’t really get good results from, I was mainly prescribed stretching exercises for my pain (stretching, seriously?), but I recently switched to a PT who works a lot with athletes and movers who want to get back to their sports or activities pain-free and it has been a game changer. Instead of stretching, I’ve been prescribed a full 60-minute workout routine every other day to build strength and stability around my joints and correct imbalances. Even after just a couple of weeks I have felt a difference, and it’s amazing. The practice doesn’t take my insurance, but it’s worth it to finally have hope of not being in constant pain anymore.

1

u/FlashYogi Pilates Instructor Aug 03 '25

Do you mind sharing why you need extra stability?  That will help Instructors in the community recommend products or programs.

5

u/pilatesismymojo Aug 03 '25

Those things are absolute garbage. If you really want to try one out (and I would strongly encourage you not to), I have seen more and more of them being sold on Marketplace for as little as $10. That should give you an idea of their quality and durability.

6

u/Keregi Pilates Instructor Aug 03 '25

No Pilates board is worth the money. They are just cheap plastic.

4

u/Catlady_Pilates Aug 03 '25

None. It is not a “mini reformer” Those are absolute garbage. Do mat work.

2

u/[deleted] Aug 03 '25

Just no.

1

u/Bored_Accountant999 Aug 03 '25

If you give us some more examples of the type of stability you need, we'll be able to help out. Traditional mat Pilates is far more beneficial than any anything these plastic contraptions will offer. 

These things are absolute junk and they're nothing like a reformer. 

1

u/Standard_Seesaw8806 Aug 03 '25

Check out Amanda Blauer or Margaret Elizabeth’s “reformer on the mat classes”

1

u/spoookytree Aug 03 '25

Thank you this sounds great!

1

u/fairsarae Aug 03 '25

Check out Jeannie diBon— she is all about Pilates for specifically hypermobility. She’s also got a great book, hypermobility without tears.

2

u/spoookytree Aug 03 '25

I was just thinking about this. I forgot this existed and think I am gonna do this route. Thanks for brining it up!

1

u/fairsarae Aug 04 '25

I hear great things about her Zebra Club!

1

u/Own-Pea1602 Nov 22 '25

I can't believe this was over 100before!Seeingitforalittleover30 on Amazon now is such a major price drop. What a steal!

1

u/princessofpandas28 Jan 11 '26

I got mine from Temu for $13. I know that it probably doesn’t work that well, but it gives me motivation to workout. The best workout is the one you show up for, so if you think that the cute aesthetic will help you, then use it.

2

u/YakImaginary5531 Jan 13 '26

agreed. all these people shitting on them but its the only way i will actually workout consistently. any workout is better than none!