The Magic Ingredient for Your Pilates Workouts: The Magic Circle
When we talk about Pilates equipment & props, the Reformer often steals the spotlight. If you don’t have the space or $ for equipment, you might feel like you’re missing out, but I have a secret!
There’s a prop that deserves just as much attention: the Magic Circle.
Small but mighty, this incredibly effective prop can transform your workouts and take your practice to the next level.
The Magic Circle, also known as the Pilates Ring, is an amazing option for home practitioners who want to add resistance, without spending thousands on apparatus like the Reformer, Wunda Chair, or Cadillac. It’s also great for small spaces; you can easily add the Magic Circle to your home mat routine or even your suitcase.
Read on to learn more about the benefits of the Magic Circle and see our recommendations! Want to get moving now? Check out all of our Magic Circle workouts here.
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What is the Magic Circle?
The Pilates Magic Circle was first designed by Joseph Pilates and, legend has it, originally crafted from the metal rings that encircle wooden beer barrels. This flexible resistance ring, usually made of rubber or metal, features padded handles on each side. Don’t underestimate the Magic Circle—it can significantly enhance your workout and make you sweat!
The lightweight ring is used to engage and strengthen muscles throughout the body, especially the arms, chest, legs, and core or Powerhouse. As my teacher Romana Kryzanowska said when introducing the circle: “The circle is magic because it works with your Powerhouse.”
When you hug the Magic Circle you aren’t aiming to smash the pads together, instead, your goal in squeezing the circle is to activate your deep core muscles and radiate that strength out through your limbs for amazing stability and control. By waking up your Powerhouse, the Magic Circle makes each exercise more effective and focused. This simple, yet dramatic action helps refine your technique, making it an essential prop for both beginners and advanced practitioners.
Watch this class for 5 Minutes of Magic Circle Arms with me!
Benefits of the Magic Circle
One of the best things about the Magic Circle is its versatility. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned Pilates pro, the Magic Circle adapts to every fitness level. From an inner thigh burn to upper body strengthening, the Magic Circle can be used to target a wide range of muscles all while targeting your core. This versatility makes it a perfect companion for your at-home workout or studio sessions. Read on for more benefits!
- Targets deep muscles. The Magic Circle’s real magic lies in how it challenges your body. By using it to apply resistance, you engage the smaller, stabilizing muscles that are hard to target.
- Supports Rehabilitation and Injury Prevention. For anyone recovering from an injury or looking to improve mobility, the Magic Circle can be a great tool for rehabilitation. It’s also perfect for injury prevention, as it promotes better muscle balance, stability, and alignment.
- Adds Variety to Your Routine. If your workout routine has started to feel repetitive or you feel you’re lacking motivation, adding the Magic Circle into the mix can be a game-changer. It opens up a whole new world of exercises and modifications that challenge your muscles in new ways. Incorporating the circle into your usual Pilates flow can keep things fresh and exciting while helping you break through fitness plateaus.
- Compact and Affordable. Unlike other large apparatus, the Magic Circle is compact, lightweight, and easy to store. It’s perfect for people with limited space or those who want an affordable prop to elevate their Pilates practice. You can easily tuck it away in a closet or under the bed, and it travels well too! At a fraction of the cost of other Pilates equipment, it’s a great investment for anyone looking to expand their practice. See our recs below!
Our Magic Circle Recommendations
There are a few types of Magic Circles, including ‘old-school’ ones with metal rings of varying strengths (linked below from Balanced Body) versus the plastic ones more commonly seen in studios where the ring is wrapped in rubber or plastic (linked below from Stamina). I own both types and personally I prefer the non-metal ones since they are light and easy to travel with. The metal ones are much heavier and could really hurt if accidentally dropped on your face. Plus, I don’t find the extra-heavy rings to be any more effective, there’s plenty of resistance in the non-metal ones and it’s really about what you’re doing on the inside rather than how heavy the rings are.
Click below to take a Magic Circle class with us!
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