Yoga is more than just a physical exercise; it’s a holistic approach to wellness that encompasses the mind, body, and soul. The right equipment not only supports your practice but also enhances the overall experience, helping you achieve balance and harmony.
Whether you’re a complete newcomer to the practice or someone seeking to deepen your yoga journey, having the right equipment can truly make all the difference. In this comprehensive article, we’ll take you on a journey through the essential gear that every beginner needs to kickstart their yoga adventure with confidence and grace.
- Best Choice: Bosu Pro Multi Functional
- Best Affordable Price: Manduka PRO Yoga Mat
- Best Design: FeetUp Headstand Bench Yoga Chair
- Best with Feature: YOGABODY Yoga Trapeze Pro
- Best Favorite: Clever Yoga Set
7 Yoga Equipment for Beginners worth Buying
These 7 Yoga Equipment for Beginners are undeniably worth investing in as they form the backbone of a fulfilling and successful yoga journey. Each of these essential gear pieces plays a crucial role in supporting your practice, enhancing your experience, and nurturing your overall well-being.
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Promising Review:
“Purchased as a gift for my daughter (whom runs a boot camp and personal training) so she’s familiar with Bosu and this is one of many and stands behind the product and brand.” – Miju Stinson, January 7, 2023, on Amazon
Pros:
- Versatile Workouts: Combines elements of cardio, strength training, and flexibility for unique and effective workouts.
- Muscle Strengthening: The 26-inch balance ball increases the difficulty of workouts and builds strength faster by engaging more muscles.
- Performance Improvement: Enhances flexibility, endurance, and strength with varied workouts.
Cons:
- Requires Space: Given its size (26-inch ball), the BOSU Pro might require a considerable amount of space, which could be a challenge for those with smaller workout areas.
The BOSU Pro is not your typical balance trainer. This ingenious product combines elements of cardio, strength training, and flexibility to offer you truly unique and highly effective workouts. What makes the BOSU Pro stand out? It’s all in the 26-inch balance ball.
This feature increases the difficulty of your workouts, forcing the engagement of more muscles. The result? Faster strength building. Plus, it challenges you to maintain your center of gravity, no matter the exercise.
The package includes a guided workout and an easy-to-use inflation pump. This balance trainer is made with strong, non-slip, non-marking burst-resistant material, ensuring its longevity and safety. Able to support up to 350 pounds, it can handle most user weights.
One thrilled user enthusiastically said, “Since first stepping onto a BOSU ball, I have fallen in love with using it. It continues to challenge me. This one met all my expectations.” This customer testimony highlights the immediate impact of the BOSU Pro on their fitness routine, underscoring its effectiveness.
Item Weight: 7 Kilograms | Material: Rubber | Maximum Weight Recommendation: 350 pounds
Promising Review:
“Great mat worth the money. It’s a little expensive but I’m finding the investment well worth the quality of this product. No complaints or issues. Needed to wash the mat on delivery to avoid sliding on the mat, but the nice done a great mat for daily use.” – Leslie Family, May 8, 2023, on Amazon
Pros:
- Professional Quality: With a 6mm thickness, it’s designed to offer maximum support for serious yogis, Pilates, barre or fitness enthusiasts.
- High-Performance: It provides a comfortable medium thickness for stability and joint protection, ideal for various forms of exercise.
- Moisture Resistant: The closed-cell material prevents sweat and moisture from entering the mat, making it ideal for intense or heated sessions.
Cons:
- Price: Given its high-quality, professional-grade material, the mat may be more expensive compared to other yoga mats on the market.
The Manduka PRO is not your average yoga mat. This mat, which boasts an ultra-supportive 6mm thickness, is designed specifically for the serious practitioners out there. Its medium thickness delivers a comfortable yet firm base for your practice, ensuring stability and safeguarding your joints.
This mat doesn’t just protect your body; it also stands up to sweaty, intense sessions with ease. Made of closed-cell material, it prevents moisture and sweat from seeping into the mat. If you’re a fan of hot yoga or often find yourself in a sweaty Downward Dog, this mat can be a lifesaver.
What sets the Manduka PRO apart from the crowd is its meticulous craftsmanship. The PVC material it’s made from is certified STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX, a testament to its quality. Moreover, it’s responsibly created in an emissions-free facility, so you can feel good about your purchase from an environmental perspective.
One elated customer shared their personal experience saying, “The Manduka PRO Yoga and Pilates Mat has swiftly become my favorite mat. Its blend of size, density, superior grip, and eco-friendly attributes align perfectly with my needs.”
Dimensions: 71″L x 26″W x 0.24″Th | Item Weight: 7.5 Pounds | Material: Polyvinyl Chloride
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Promising Review:
“Easy to assemble and very sturdy. I can’t say there’s a lot of different uses for this stand. I use it primarily for headstands and prefer traditional floor poses to using this prop.” – Mona, March 15, 2023, on Amazon
Pros:
- Promotes Safety: The robust design offers sturdy resistance to body weight, helping to prevent injuries that can occur from unassisted headstands.
- Portable: Its lightweight design allows you to take it wherever you want, making your yoga practice convenient and versatile.
- Environmentally Friendly: The yoga chair is made from sustainable materials, including vegan leather and beech wood.
Cons:
- Price: Given its unique design and high-quality materials, the FeetUp Headstand Bench Yoga Chair might be more expensive than traditional yoga props.
The FeetUp Yoga Chair revolutionizes the traditional handstand, making Sirasanas, or headstands, more accessible and enjoyable. The thoughtfully designed structure provides the support needed to explore and master various types of headstand poses.
What sets the FeetUp Yoga Chair apart is its commitment to promoting inversion safety. Unassisted headstands are the number one reason for injuries in yoga – a risk you don’t have to take with this ingenious chair.
Its robust and durable design offers sturdy resistance to body weight, eliminating wobbly and unstable inversions. This means you can perfect your headstands safely, without putting undue strain on your neck and spine.
One happy customer shared, “This is a great tool for inversion exercises. My husband and I both felt comfortable using this to improve flexibility and strength.” This testament not only underscores the ease of use and comfort provided by the FeetUp Yoga Chair but also emphasizes its impact on improving flexibility and strength.
Dimensions: 23.62 x 15.75 x 15.75 inches | Item Weight: 5 Kilograms | Maximum Weight Recommendation: Support over 2,200 lbs.
Promising Review:
“The yogabody trapeze looks like it is so much fun and it is, but it is also a very good core and muscle builder. I thought I was strong until I started trying to pull myself up on this thing. I was finally able to hang upside down and it felt great. Some of the other exercises will take some time to build up too. The fabric is soft and strong. I’m having fun with it.” – Dawn M. Fromme, October 30, 2022, on Amazon
Pros:
- Back Pain Relief: The trapeze allows you to hang upside down and create space between your vertebrae, helping to alleviate back pain.
- Increases Physical Abilities: The trapeze aids in increasing strength, balance, and flexibility by targeting areas like the posterior chain, grip, backbends, hamstrings, and hips.
- Bonus Educational Material: The bonus online video tutorials and pose charts are fantastic resources, particularly for beginners starting their trapeze journey.
Cons:
- Learning Curve: Using the trapeze may require some practice and guidance, especially for beginners. It might not be immediately intuitive to use.
If you’ve been struggling with back pain, the YOGABODY Yoga Trapeze Pro might just be your saving grace. When you hang upside down using this yoga swing, you’re able to create space between your vertebrae, providing instant traction and sweet relief from back pain.
This yoga trapeze also helps increase strength, balance, and flexibility. From working your posterior chain and enhancing grip strength, to deepening backbends, opening up those hamstrings, and hip openers, the YOGABODY Yoga Trapeze Pro is designed to support your growth in a wide range of yoga poses and physical abilities.
Don’t worry if you’re a beginner. The YOGABODY team has you covered with bonus video tutorials and pose charts accessible online. These resources provide professional guidance to help you start your journey with the trapeze confidently and safely.
One satisfied customer shared their experience, saying, “I absolutely LOVE my purple yoga hammock! I have issues with my back and am completely blown away at how good I feel. My back hasn’t spasm since using the hammock and I’m sleeping better because the pain isn’t waking me up.”
Material: Nylon | Item Weight: 3.8 Pounds | Maximum Weight Recommendation: 600 Pounds
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Promising Review:
“The mat is comfortable, the blocks are helpful, and the towel is large but takes up little space. The bag has just enough space to also carry my pool supplies, sandals, and yoga pants and is easy to carry. Great set. I am glad I bought it.” – James Watson, October 18, 2022, on Amazon
Pros:
- Complete Kit: The set comes with everything you need to begin or advance your yoga practice – a yoga mat, foam blocks, yoga strap, and microfiber yoga towels.
- High-Quality Mat: The Better Grip Yoga Mat is extra thick and provides the perfect balance between comfort and stability. Its size is also more generous than average yoga mats.
- Supportive Accessories: The included foam blocks, yoga strap, and towels are extremely useful for enhancing flexibility, support, and ensuring a sweat-free workout.
Cons:
- One Size Mat: The mat comes in one standard size. While it’s larger than average, it might not fit everyone’s space or preference.
This seven-piece kit comes with everything you need for yoga or general workouts, including the popular Pilates. It’s even been featured in Yoga Journal for its exceptional quality and unbeatable value. Not only has it taken my yoga practice to the next level, but it’s also been instrumental in my overall fitness journey.
One of the highlights of this kit is the Better Grip Yoga Mat. With an extra thickness of 6mm or 1/4 inch, it strikes a perfect balance between comfort and stability during my yoga practice. Its double-sided design ensures both a solid grip with the floor and a non-slip surface for my hands and feet.
The kit also includes two foam blocks, an 8ft cotton yoga strap, and microfiber yoga towels. All these have proven invaluable in improving my flexibility, support, and ensuring a sweat-free workout.
I can absolutely relate to the experience of one satisfied customer who praised the Clever Yoga Set, saying, “Big mat, comes with blocks and straps. I don’t have much to compare it to but works well for me and I can move the items around easily using the bag.”
Material: 100% Cotton | Mat Size: 72 x 25.56 inches | Number of Yoga Kit: 7-Piece
Promising Review:
“My yoga studio has these and I’ve always wanted one. It is the perfect size and firmness to support restorative positions, and I like the handle on the end to slide it on and off the shelf.” – Chris, February 26, 2023, on Amazon
Pros:
- Ideal for Restorative Yoga: Its design makes it perfect for most uses in Restorative Yoga, providing needed support for various poses.
- Flat Surface: The flat surface of the bolster provides stable support, a key feature when balancing in certain poses.
- Replaces Stacks of Blankets: It can substitute the stacks of blankets often used for some asanas, simplifying the process and reducing clutter.
Cons:
- Limited Versatility: While it’s excellent for Restorative Yoga, the bolster may not be as useful for more dynamic yoga styles that require different kinds of props.
I couldn’t be happier with the Hugger Mugger Standard Yoga Bolster. This high-quality yoga accessory is an absolute game-changer, particularly for my Restorative Yoga practice. No more scrambling for the right props; with this bolster, I’ve found the perfect support tool for a wide variety of poses.
The flat surface of the Hugger Mugger Bolster is its standout feature. It provides the stable support I need when practicing certain poses that require balance and steadiness. Whether I’m working on my Savasana, or exploring the depths of a Pigeon pose, this bolster gives me the confidence to stretch a little further.
Not only does it offer superior, more targeted support, but it also reduces clutter on my yoga mat. No more adjusting and readjusting – with the Hugger Mugger Standard Yoga Bolster, I can transition smoothly from one pose to the next, keeping my focus where it belongs – on my breath and movement.
I completely share the sentiment of one satisfied customer who said, “I use this bolster to stretch my back and shoulders mainly and it is nice and firm. The color is good and blends in with my house, not like some crazy colored yoga props, you don’t notice it sitting around. It seems sturdy.”
Dimensions: 25 x 12 x 6 inches | Item Weight: 5 Pounds | Material: Upholstery-Grade Fabric
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Promising Review:
“I use this weekly and it only had to be pumped up once since I got it! It is stable and has no visible wear and will probably have it many years down the line! Thanks for making a wonderful product that is well made and safe to use daily!” – Emily, January 19, 2023, on Amazon
Pros:
- Full Workout Potential: With dual-side usage, this balance ball allows for a range of exercises working all muscle groups, adding variety to your routine.
- Bonus Equipment Included: It comes with additional equipment including a downloadable workout guide, an inflation pump, and clip-on resistance bands, giving you a comprehensive workout solution.
- Versatile: It’s versatile enough to be used in various environments, from physical therapy to home workouts and gym sessions.
Cons:
- Learning Curve: Depending on your experience level, there might be a learning curve to using the balance ball effectively.
This half balance ball is a fantastic tool if you’re aiming to improve your balance and strengthen your base. No matter if you’re a seasoned gym-goer, a rehab patient in physical therapy, or someone who prefers at-home workouts, the URBNFit Half Balance Ball can benefit you.
What I loved most about the URBNFit Half Balance Ball is that it offers a complete workout. It’s designed to be used on both sides, meaning you can engage all muscle groups for a full body burn. I’ve used it for coordination exercises, push steps, squats, lunges, crunches, and even burpees.
It also comes with some bonus features, such as a downloadable workout guide, a pump for easy inflation, and clip-on resistance bands for an extra strength challenge. These features helped me diversify my workout routine and kept me motivated.
Item Package Dimensions: 23.5 x 23.11 x 5.71 inches | Package Weight: 5.78 Kilograms | Material: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Yoga Equipment for Beginners
When venturing into the world of yoga as a beginner, choosing the right equipment is essential for a safe, enjoyable, and fulfilling practice. Several factors should be taken into consideration when selecting yoga equipment to ensure it complements your needs and aligns with your practice goals. Here are the key factors to consider:
- Quality and Durability: Look for high-quality yoga equipment that is durable and can withstand regular use. Investing in well-made products ensures longevity and minimizes the need for frequent replacements.
- Comfort and Support: Opt for equipment that provides comfort and support during your practice. For example, a cushioned and non-slip yoga mat will protect your joints and offer stability for various poses.
- Size and Dimensions: Consider the size and dimensions of the equipment, especially for props like yoga blocks and bolsters. Ensure they suit your body size and provide the necessary support and accessibility.
- Portability and Storage: If you plan to practice yoga on-the-go or have limited storage space, choose equipment that is easy to carry and store, such as lightweight and foldable yoga mats.
- Eco-Friendly Materials: If environmental consciousness is important to you, seek out eco-friendly yoga equipment made from sustainable materials like natural rubber or organic cotton.
- Grip and Traction: A secure grip and traction are crucial, especially for mats and props like yoga straps. Non-slip surfaces provide stability, preventing accidents and injuries during your practice.
- Versatility and Adaptability: Look for equipment that can be used in various poses and practices. Versatile props like yoga blocks and straps allow for modifications and support in different postures.
- Budget: Consider your budget and prioritize the essential equipment based on your needs. It’s possible to find high-quality yoga gear without breaking the bank.
- Reviews and Recommendations: Check reviews and seek recommendations from experienced yogis or instructors to gain insights into the effectiveness and suitability of the equipment.
- Personal Preferences: Ultimately, choose equipment that resonates with your personal preferences and style. Your yoga journey is unique, and the right equipment should reflect your individuality.
- Safety and Non-Toxicity: Ensure that the yoga equipment is free from harmful substances like PVC and latex, particularly for individuals with allergies or sensitivities.
- Easy Maintenance: Consider the ease of cleaning and maintaining the equipment, especially for items like yoga mats that come into direct contact with the body.
By carefully considering these factors, you can make informed decisions when selecting yoga equipment for beginners. Remember that your practice will evolve over time, so it’s essential to choose gear that can adapt to your progress and support you throughout your entire yoga journey. Happy yoga exploring!
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the Bosu Pro Multi Functional is an outstanding choice for beginners looking to kickstart their yoga journey. The unique design combines cardio, strength, and flexibility elements, offering a comprehensive, full-body workout.
New practitioners will appreciate its versatility and user-friendly features. Its capability to strengthen multiple muscle groups at once and improve overall performance is a significant advantage for beginners who often start with less strength and balance.
Moreover, the addition of a guided workout and easy-to-use inflation pump make it a practical choice for those new to this fitness realm. Its strong, non-slip, non-marking, and burst-resistant material further adds to the safety, allowing beginners to focus more on their practice without worrying about the equipment’s durability.
FAQs Related to Yoga Equipment for Beginners
Can I practice yoga without any equipment as a beginner?
While some yoga practices can be done without equipment, having the right gear can significantly enhance your experience and support your practice. Investing in basic equipment like a yoga mat and blocks is highly recommended for beginners.
How do yoga blocks and straps help beginners?
Yoga blocks and straps assist beginners in maintaining proper alignment, improving flexibility, and accessing challenging poses with ease. Blocks provide height and support, while straps aid in deepening stretches.
Are there specific yoga apparel requirements for beginners?
Comfort and ease of movement are key for yoga apparel. Choose breathable, stretchy fabrics that allow you to move freely without restrictions. Avoid clothes that are too tight or restrictive.
