Knowing what yoga equipment to buy can be a daunting task for anyone, especially newbies. Let’s face it, when you’re new to a hobby or activity you have the tendency to buy anything that is recommended in the hopes that it will work for you.
Here at OriGym, we want to teach you about the yoga apparatus and equipment that you’ll need for various different yoga practices. We’ll also explain to you why this equipment will be beneficial to your practice and try to cover a wide variety of price ranges that will appeal to everyone.
Table of Contents:
- What Equipment Do You Need For Yoga?
- #1 – Yoga Mat
- #2 – Yoga Mat Bag
- #3 – Yoga Towels
- #4 – Water Bottles
- #5 – Yoga Pants and Leggings
- #6 – Yoga Blocks
- #7 – Yoga Straps
- #8 – Resistance Bands
- #9 – Yoga Wheel
- #10 – Foam Roller
- #11 – Massage Guns
- #12 – Yoga Pillows
- #13 – Sandbags
- #14 – Eye Pillows
- #15 – Yoga Chairs
- #16 – Wall Ropes
- #17 – Aerial Swings
- #18 – Feet Up Yoga Trainer/Inversion Yoga Stool
- #19 – Power Plate / Vibration Plates
- #20 – Yoga Kits
- Before You Go!
What Equipment Do You Need For Yoga?
One of the great things about yoga is that you don’t need tons of yoga equipment and accessories in order to be successful. Yoga equipment is simply used to extend your skill level and to offer your body that extra support when needed.
The basic yoga equipment you’ll need to get started is:
- Yoga Mat
- Yoga Mat Bag
- Comfortable Exercise Clothes
- Water Bottle
- Yoga Block
- Yoga Strap
Other yoga equipment, while not vital to your practice, will allow you to challenge and push yourself in specific areas such as aerial yoga. For this reason, we have decided to cover a wide variety of products in the list below to ensure there is something for everyone.
#1 – Yoga Mat
Regardless of whether you’re training at home or a yoga studio, you need a yoga mat in order to practice yoga. So, if you purchase just one thing on this list today, buy yourself a yoga mat.
Not only will yoga mats offer your hands and feet more grip when entering poses and holds, but they will also cushion your fall in the worst-case scenarios of slipping or tumbling. Yoga mats are also really easy to clean – check out OriGym’s reviews of the best yoga mat cleaners to keep your mat as hygienic as possible!
Some yoga mats we would recommend purchasing are:
- Yogo Ultralight Folding Travel Yoga Mat for $79.00
- Yoga Clicks Classic Eco Yoga Mat for £20.00
- B Mat Everyday Yoga Mat for £85.00
#2 – Yoga Mat Bag
One of the most easily overlooked pieces of equipment is the yoga mat bag. If you’re practising yoga solely from home this may not seem ‘vital’, but if you’re looking to join a class, then you’re going to want to carry your equipment in the most efficient way possible.
Most gym bags, backpacks and handbags simply don’t have room to accommodate the unique shape and size of yoga mats. Needless to say, you don’t want to be squishing your mat into a bag and potentially damaging it in the process.
Whilst some yoga mat bags only fit in the mat itself, we’ve chosen yoga mat bags that can accommodate multiple pieces of equipment used in yoga:
- Sunshine Yoga Duffle Bag for $34.99
- Complete Unity for £49.00
- Karpasa London for £18.00
#3 – Yoga Towels
Yoga towels are an essential addition to your yoga equipment if you’re considering trying Bikram yoga.
When practising Bikram yoga (or any other type of hot yoga) you’re obviously going to sweat more – that is the whole purpose of the class, after all! But sweat can actually make your yoga mat dangerous to use, as well as making it more likely to slip or move on the floor.
A yoga towel can be placed on top of the mat to prevent it from becoming slippery with sweat. In fact, the more you sweat, the more grip it will have. That’s because the towel will absorb the sweat and create resistance against the mat and floor.
Additionally, if you sweat a lot and are worried about the towel becoming slippery and losing grip, we’d recommend looking for towels with non-slip backings, such as ones that come with silicone nubs.
Here are a few of OriGym’s recommendations:
#4 – Water Bottles
It’s vital to stay hydrated when exercising, but many newbie yogis forget the fact that yoga is an intense workout.
The scientific approach to tackling water loss during exercise is to drink 1 litre of water for every 1,000 calories you burn. However, in his book The Lore of Running fitness expert Professor Tim Noake recommends simply drinking when you’re thirsty during exercise.
Regardless of which approach you take, you simply need to stay hydrated while you’re practicing yoga.
This is especially important if you’re practising Bikram yoga. In this instance, a water bottle should be considered an essential piece of yoga equipment, as once you’re in that type of environment you’ll be sweating profusely.
We would recommend any of the following:
- Hydrapak for $46.00
- Frank Green for £39.99
- Chilly’s for £28.00
#5 – Yoga Pants and Leggings
When looking for yoga equipment, it’s important not to overlook clothing. When stretching and twisting our bodies into the poses that yoga requires, we need to be comfortable.
You may want to wear exercise clothing you already own, but for maximum comfort you’re going to want to look at things that are designed specifically with yoga in mind.
To practice yoga comfortably, you’re going to need pants or leggings that are high-waisted and come with moisture-wicking properties. This may apply to most workout gear, but the added bonus of yoga clothing is that it is usually softer and thinner.
Having these yoga-specific designs will allow you to feel comfortable when exercising and your clothing will be able to flow and stretch as you do:
- Gymshark Men’s Yoga Pants for £22.00
- Nike Women’s Yoga Pants for £44.99
- Men’s HIIT Yoga Leggings for £18.00
- ASOS Women’s Yoga Leggings for £18.00
#6 – Yoga Blocks
Traditionally made up of foam, bamboo, or cork, the yoga block is the most commonly used piece of yoga equipment for beginners.
The block is traditionally used to achieve positions, often being used as an extension of your arms when you can’t reach into the full extension of certain poses. The yoga block is recommended for beginners as it helps to bring the floor closer, which is much-needed assistance if you’re not yet as flexible as you’d like to be.
However, this isn’t the only use for the yoga block. While beginners can use it to bring the floor closer to them, it can also be used as a balance block to stand and practice poses.
We’d recommend:
- Second Earth 2E ‘Levitate’ Cork Block for £18.00
- FitHut for £22.00
- Lulu Lemon for £18.00
- John Lewis for £14.49
#7 – Yoga Straps
Yoga straps are pieces of equipment that are used in yoga to assist in the development of flexibility. If you’re a beginner with no previous flexibility training, then we would recommend investing in some yoga straps as they will decrease the likelihood of muscle straining.
You don’t even need to use the straps in crazy elaborate poses. You will see and feel the benefit that yoga straps can provide from even the simplest of movements, such as sitting poses that use the yoga strap to stretch your legs.
We would recommend the following yoga straps:
- Zafu Yoga Strap from $18.00
- H&S for £7.89
- Pete’s Choice for £7.87
- Yogamatters for £8.00
If you need more inspiration then take a look at our yoga straps reviews.
#8 – Resistance Bands
Whilst somewhat similar to yoga straps, resistance bands are a separate entry onto our yoga equipment list. Initially created to act as a physiotherapy treatment in the 1990s, resistance bands have quickly taken off in popularity among many athletes as well as dedicated yogis.
While they are not specifically designed for yoga, their properties and benefits of resistance bands will actually improve your yoga performance and skill level.
Unlike the yoga band, the resistance bands are adaptable and if you choose to buy a set, they’ll increase both weight and resistance, improving your overall fitness level through this training.
We would recommend the following resistance bands:
- SleepSmug for £15.00
- iECO for £4.99
- Starwood Sports for £19.99
#9 – Yoga Wheel
The yoga wheel is a hollow, circular-shaped prop that is similar to the yoga block, in the sense that it is designed to aid in stretching, releasing tension, and improving your flexibility.
Like the yoga block, it will help to improve your flexibility by adding extra support for your limbs. However, because it rolls it will allow you to stretch your body even further.
Additionally, the yoga wheel is a great piece of equipment for yoga as you’ll be able to stretch back and forth while also allowing yourself to get into deeper positions.
Finally, the yoga wheel can also help you relax any aches and pains and is particularly effective during wind-down sessions.
We’d recommend:
- Yoga Studios for £29.99
- House of Fraser for £39.99
#10 – Foam Roller
Much like the yoga wheel, foam rollers can be incorporated into your exercise routines in order to help you achieve goals such as becoming more flexible and losing weight.
Whilst a yoga wheel is hollow, foam rollers are thick and dense. Due to this, they can be a more effective treatment for back and joint pains, as the denseness of the product will offer your body more support.
The foam roller is a great piece of yoga equipment for beginners as it will improve your overall range of motion, naturally improving your yoga skills in the process. In a 2015 study, it was found that 11 athletes who used foam rollers whilst also incorporating static stretches saw an increase in their range of motion.
If you’d like to incorporate a foam roller into your training, we’d recommend:
#11 – Massage Guns
When purchasing yoga equipment for beginners, you may have a tendency to just buy products that will help you during the yoga class or session itself. But it’s also important to invest in products that will help your body once the class is over.
Massage guns ease any tension in your muscles and joints by stimulating the blood flow to these areas. Increased blood flow can not only ease joint aches and pains but can also promote a faster metabolism, which in turn can translate to weight loss, healthier bowels and a better sleeping pattern.
We would recommend the following yoga massage guns to treat your body and muscles to much needed deep tissue therapy:
#12 – Yoga Pillow
If you’re someone who wants to get into yoga but struggles to stay comfortable on a hardwood floor, we would recommend investing in a yoga pillow.
Designed to hold your body up tall as you sit cross-legged on the ground, yoga pillows will help to align your spine into its correct curvature. Once you sit down on it, the pillow will help to move your hips forward slightly, in order to align with the curvature of your back.
If you’re conscious of your posture and need help staying in a good position while sitting, we’d recommend the following:
- Yoga Matters from £40.00
- Blue Banyan from £19.50
Our dedicated guide to yoga cushions and pillows can offer you further advice.
#13 – Sandbags
Sandbags are a great addition to your yoga kit if you’re looking to practice restorative yoga. They are designed to restore and heal damaged muscles by gently resting on top of them.
The pressure that sandbags provide against our bodies is linked to the section of the brain called the amygdala. This section of the brain is responsible for our emotions, with the result that the pressure of the sandbags will relax our body and defuse any feelings of anxiety.
The equipment can also act as an anchor for various body parts, offering you that added support if you’re still finding your footing.
For example, if you’re attempting to do the mountain pose, place the sandbags on top of your feet. This added weight will stop you from moving about or fidgeting and will allow you to stand in proper alignment.
Whether you’re just beginning your yoga journey or you’re just looking for some restorative equipment we’d recommend the following sandbags:
- Yogamatters for £15.00
- Yoga Mad for £15.99
- Dolphin Fitness for £12.95
#14 – Eye Pillows
Eye pillows are placed over your eyes during meditation or restorative yoga sessions to help with the regulation of your nervous system, mood, digestion and even the immune system.
Traditionally, yoga eye pillows are filled with flax seeds. Once they’re on your face, the lightweight contents combined with the soft textured fabric will penetrate the vagus nerve.
This nerve represents the main component of the parasympathetic nervous system, which oversees everything from the previously mentioned mood, digestion and immune system.
This nerve essentially establishes a connection between the brain and the rest of the body. Once light pressure is applied to it, the vagus nerve will send a message to the rest of your body that it’s in a state of peace.
To take advantage, we’d recommend:
- Yoga United Lavender Eye Pillow for £8.50
- Etsy for £12.75
- Yoga Matters for £10.00
#15 – Yoga Chairs
If you struggle with mobility then yoga chairs can allow you to join in the practice in a manner that is safe and comfortable for you.
In the same way that your body moves and flows through poses during traditional cycles of yoga, it can do so during chair yoga classes too. Any form of traditional yoga can be taught whilst using the yoga chair – it does not limit any possibility of learning the form you wish to pursue.
If mobility is something you find difficult and are interested in using a yoga chair to join classes, we can recommend the following products:
- Yoga Matters for £59.00
- Yoga Matters for £36.00
#16 – Wall Ropes
Wall yoga is a popular new form of exercise that involves you doing poses whilst standing or leaning against a wall for support.
Wall ropes will allow you to use the wall as a form of resistance as you enter specific poses. This will benefit your body as hanging upside down can release tension within your muscles, which is achieved due to improved blood flow and by stretching the entire body.
It’s important to note that wall yoga equipment will require some installation time and will need to be bolted to the wall or ceiling with mounts in order to support your body.
If you’re interested in wall yoga equipment, we would recommend the following ropes:
- Grandado for £69.29
- Yogamatters for £35.00
#17 – Aerial Swings
Aerial swings and hammocks are great pieces of hanging yoga equipment, allowing you to take to the skies and perform anti-gravity poses and stretches.
Additionally, much like the yoga chair, aerial swings are more accessible for those who have mobility issues, as they won’t have to lower themselves down onto the floor.
Hanging yoga equipment offers a range of benefits, including:
- Improving your digestive system
- Acting as a natural detox for your body
- Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease
If you’re interested in buying some hanging yoga equipment we can recommend the following items:
- Aumactive for £60.99
- Yogamatters for £99.99
#18 – Feet Up Yoga Trainer/Inversion Yoga Stool
The Feet Up yoga trainer is a piece of yoga headstand equipment, which is designed to teach you how to do headstands and can also double as a yoga chair too.
To use it, you simply place your head into the hole and use the base of the trainer to support yourself whilst you push the rest of your body vertically upward into a headstand.
This isn’t just a great way for beginners to learn how to perform a headstand – it’s also easy to use for people who’ve had shoulder injuries in the past.
We’d recommend:
- Feet Up for £186.75
- Thundesk Yoga Inversion Bench for £101.33
#19 – Power Plate/Vibration Plates
Power plates are exercise machines that you stand on and which send high-frequency vibrations through the muscles in your body. Many yogis love to use the power plates as structures to hold their poses on.
The most commonly sought after benefit of using power plates is weight loss. Due to the high-frequency vibrations, your metabolism actually increases in speed. However, simply participating in vibration yoga alone won’t be enough to lose significant amounts of weight. For optimum results, we recommend pairing it with a balanced diet and plenty of water.
As we have already discussed, there are many kinds of yoga that will help tone the muscles in your body. However, if you’re looking for significant toning, we would recommend trying vibration yoga. Vibration plates alone have been proven to increase muscle toning, so pairing them with a practice such as yoga will result in your desired outcome.
We’d recommend:
- Weight World for £89.00
- LifeProFitness for $159.99
#20 – Yoga Kits
If you’re looking to get started with yoga, there are a few key pieces of equipment you’ll need. But that doesn’t mean you need to buy them all separately. Purchasing a yoga kit can be a quick and cost-effective way to get all the basics.
Yoga kits don’t all include the same pieces of equipment and the range of customisation options will vary – as will the price point. So, it’s important to make sure that your chosen kit has everything you need to get started while fitting your budget.
For beginners, we’d recommend:
- Ekotex for £41.50
- John Lewis for £20.00
- Clever Yoga for £117.70
Before You Go!
Buying the right yoga equipment can seem overwhelming but try not to worry; yoga shouldn’t bring on any kind of stress. We would recommend trying a few things out at your local gym or yoga studio before committing to a product for your home studio.
Fitness and health is a huge part of everyday life now which has led to an increase in the need for personal trainers. If you want to join this lucrative industry then enquire about OriGym’s Level 3 Yoga Teacher Training course today!
You can also download our latest course prospectus which contains all the information on our courses and services.