Best Pilates Rings and Exercises to Up Your Game

Mor

Mar 20, 2023

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7 min read

Pilates ring exercises have a beautiful way of waking up the body from the inside out.

The Pilates ring - also known as the magic circle - may look simple, but don’t let its size fool you. This small, lightweight prop can completely transform your movement practice, adding just the right amount of resistance, awareness, and control.

Originally created by Joseph Pilates, the ring was designed to bring deeper connection into each movement - and that’s exactly what it still does today.

What Is a Pilates Ring?

The Pilates ring (or magic circle) is a flexible circular tool, usually around 12–14 inches in diameter, with soft padded handles on both sides.

It creates gentle resistance when you press into it — whether between your hands or your legs — helping you activate muscles that are often overlooked.

In many ways, it becomes a guide.
It teaches your body where to engage, how to stabilize, and how to move with more intention.

How Pilates Ring Exercises Transform Your Practice

Pilates ring exercises can be woven into almost any workout — whether you’re on the mat, standing, or even seated.

You can use the ring to target:

Inner thighs
Arms and chest
Deep core muscles
Glutes and outer hips

What I love most about working with the ring is how it brings awareness into the smaller, deeper muscles - the ones that truly support posture, stability, and control.

It’s not about pushing harder. It’s about connecting smarter.

Benefits of Pilates Ring Exercises

When you consistently include Pilates ring exercises in your routine, you may start to notice:

Improved posture and alignment
Stronger, more connected core
Better balance and stability
Increased muscle tone without strain
A deeper mind-body connection

Because the resistance is gentle, it’s also a beautiful option if you’re looking for a low-impact, joint-friendly workout - whether at home or in the studio.

Toning and Strengthening with the Pilates Ring

The magic of the ring is in the resistance.

That subtle squeeze or press activates your muscles in a more intentional way — especially in the inner thighs, arms, and deep core.

Instead of rushing through movements, Pilates ring exercises invite you to:

Slow down
Stay present
Move with control

And that’s where the real transformation happens.

Pilates Ring Exercises You Can Follow Along

If you’d like to experience Pilates ring exercises in a more guided, flowing way, I’ve created a workout you can follow along with.

This session brings together some of my favorite Pilates ring exercises to help you strengthen your core, tone your arms and inner thighs, and move with more control and awareness.

You can pause, repeat, or simply move at your own pace — the goal is to stay connected to your body, not rush through the movements.

A Simple Way to Begin

You don’t need a long workout to feel the difference.

Even adding just a few Pilates ring exercises into your routine can shift the way your body engages and moves.

Start slow.
Stay connected.
Let the ring guide you into deeper, more intentional movement.

This Pilates ring workout includes beginner to intermediate Pilates ring exercises focusing on core strength, inner thighs, and full-body toning.

My Favorite Pilates Rings

If you’re ready to explore Pilates ring exercises at home, these are a few high-quality options I love:

ProBody Pilates Fitness Circle

A lightweight 14” “magic circle” that brings gentle resistance and a little extra fun to your Pilates practice – helping you sculpt your core, arms, and inner thighs with comfy padded grips. Perfect for home or travel, and available in black, blue, yellow, pink, and purple.