This Compact Workout Equipment Set Is Perfect for My Small Apartment (and Actually Stylish)

To be honest, I’ve never been a “gym person.” The pressure to be coordinated and use the varying gym machines with ease seemed so unattainable that, for a long time, I felt like it was just easier to abstain. Last year, I made myself a fitness goal to get stronger and signed up for Pilates classes to get a bit more guidance in the gym. Since then, I’ve discovered an empowering home routine that makes me feel ready to take on the day without the hassle of commuting to class.

Because I’ve figured out an at-home workout routine that works for me (and doesn’t require me to deal with the gym), I wanted to find ways to “level up” my fitness experience. Enter: the Prop Starter Kit from Your Reformer. It’s an accessible, small-space friendly three-piece workout set that’s helped me maintain a fitness routine I can feel proud of without taking up a ton of valuable floor space in my apartment.

The Prop Starter Kit is an entry-level home workout set that includes a Pilates ball, two hand weights, and a Pilates ring, and costs $59. Each piece serves a different purpose, and though I also tested the weighted bands and grip socks, I found the three pieces of the starter set to be the most essential in my practice. 

Beyond the aesthetics of the kit, I love how thoughtfully made each piece is: The medium-resistance ring has comfortable gripped handles, the Pilates ball includes a straw and plug for instant inflation (or deflation), and the hand weights have a neoprene coating that makes them suitable for pilates, yoga, and barre. 

This set comes in 10 colors, like warm espresso and dusty rose, but I chose sky blue so it matches the rest of my colorful decor. Your Reformer also offers a downloadable app where you can subscribe to hundreds of at-home tutorials sorted by the equipment you have. My mat workouts are so varied that I never get bored. There’s always a new way to match my routine to how I’m feeling that day. Even though I’m committed to a workout I can roll up and put away when I’m done, the company notably offers reformer rentals for $39 per week for anyone who may have more space. 

In my one-bedroom apartment, every square foot counts. It’s crucial for me to dedicate space in a way that’s both creative and functional, while prioritizing only the most important parts of my life. Since I’m able to tuck away my home workout gear once I’m done, I never have to compromise space for the things I love, like big art projects or playing the piano. It’s there when I need it and tucked away when I don’t.

With cozy colors, thoughtful features, and helpful videos, the Prop Set from Your Reformer fits into my life perfectly. Since I don’t center my life around my fitness routine, I love finding time to feel focused and strong in a way that doesn’t interfere with my artistic practice. It’s a small way for me to take care of my body without it taking over my day. And in a life that’s busier than ever, a little fitness time has never felt more valuable.

Buy: Your Reformer Prop Starter Kit, $59