What Is a Pilates Towel and Why Do You Need One?
Pilates looks graceful, but the equipment takes a beating. Your body included.
TL;DR
A pilates towel improves grip, comfort, and hygiene on the reformer. It helps prevent slipping, cushions pressure points, absorbs sweat, and keeps shared equipment cleaner—making every session feel more stable, comfortable, and focused.
Say what you want about how those crazy reformer moves look: there’s almost nothing that compares to the intense muscle engagement and core strength that comes with practicing pilates regularly.
If you still want to surf, hike, travel, and move freely as you get older, pilates can be the secret sauce that helps keep your body strong and pain-free.
But when it comes to practicing on the reformer, there’s one essential piece of equipment that often gets overlooked: the pilates towel.
What Is a Pilates Towel?
As the name suggests, a pilates towel is a specialized towel designed for pilates practice, similar to a non-slip yoga towel.
It’s typically made from a soft, absorbent material that adds grip and cushioning to the reformer surface. Basically, a pilates towel is to the reformer what a yoga towel is to a yoga mat.
You can use it for extra grip, hygiene, and comfort while you work out. It also absorbs sweat fast and is easy to carry when you’re on the go.
How Do You Use a Pilates Towel?
Using a microfiber fitness towel on a pilates reformer carriage is the X factor in finding better grip while you practice.
Different sizes can fit standard reformers and support your workout in a bunch of useful ways.
Some common ways to use a reformer towel include:
- Placing it under your feet for added cushioning and grip during footwork exercises
- Using it as padding for your knees or hips during kneeling or supine exercises
- Wrapping it around the bar for added grip during upper body exercises
- Placing it over the shoulder rest for additional support during abdominal work
- Wiping down sweat after a strenuous workout
- Using it as a dedicated pilates reformer towel or pilates mat towel
- Creating a cushioning barrier between your skin and the metal or wood frame of the reformer
→ Other uses for your yoga/pilates towel
How to Care for Your Pilates Towel
Not sure how to care for your pilates towel?
Getting the most out of it means throwing it in the laundry from time to time. The last thing you want is to have the funkiest smelling towel in class. Bold reputation. Bad branding.
Luckily, most pilates towels are machine washable. Here are a few care tips to keep in mind:
- Wash cold with similar colors
- No bleach
- No fabric softener. Use white vinegar. Yes, really.
- Tumble dry low
- Do not iron
- Hang dry when possible
- Keep away from fire
- Listen to music while you wait
6 Reasons to Buy a Pilates Towel
Beyond our Happy Faced pilates towels looking absolutely epic, there are a few practical reasons to add one to your pilates toolbox.
1. Hygiene
With regular use comes sweat, bacteria, and general human funk.
Using a pilates towel creates a barrier between you and shared equipment, helping reduce the spread of germs while keeping upholstery cleaner.
You’d be surprised how quickly sweat and moisture can build up on the reformer surface. Bacteria love that. Nobody invited them.
2. Better Grip
The textured surface of most pilates towels provides an extra layer of grip, helping you maintain proper form and alignment during exercises.
For incredible grip—and we mean incredible—mist your towel lightly with water before use.
The moisture helps activate the grip and makes it stick like a leech. A helpful leech. Rare, but here we are.
3. More Comfort
Pilates can be tough on the body, especially for beginners or anyone dealing with sensitive joints.
A towel adds cushioning and support where you need it most, so you can focus on movement instead of discomfort.
Lay it out, settle in, and let the soft microfiber surface do its thing.
4. Versatility
A pilates towel is not a one-trick reformer pony.
You can use it during pilates, yoga, stretching, gym sessions, travel, or as an everyday towel when life gets sweaty and weird.
5. Durability
Pilates towels are designed to handle regular use on the reformer without falling apart, losing grip, or turning into a sad little rag.
Just follow the proper care instructions to help extend its lifespan.
6. Affordability
What’s more expensive?
Buying a pilates towel, or paying for professional cleaning because your reformer started smelling like old socks and regret?
The soft microfiber surface absorbs sweat better and faster than traditional towels, helping save time, effort, and your dignity in the long run.
Wrapping Up
A non-slip, ultra-comfortable pilates experience awaits.
Whether you’re using it for extra headrest support, to cover the reformer, or to add grip and hygiene to your practice, a pilates towel is one of those small upgrades that makes a big difference.
Grab one, throw it over the reformer, and enjoy not sliding around like a newborn deer on hardwood.
FAQ: Pilates Towels & Reformer Practice
Do I need a special towel for pilates, or will a regular towel work?
A regular towel can work in a pinch, but it’s not ideal. Pilates towels are designed to provide grip, stability, and coverage on the reformer, while standard towels tend to bunch, slide, or shift during movement.
Can a pilates towel help prevent slipping on the reformer?
Yes. A pilates towel adds traction between your body and the reformer carriage. Many are designed to grip better as they absorb moisture, helping you stay stable during challenging exercises.
Are pilates towels required at most studios?
Many studios strongly recommend or require them for hygiene reasons. A towel creates a clean barrier between you and shared equipment and helps keep reformers in better condition over time.
How is a pilates towel different from a yoga towel?
Pilates towels are often sized specifically for reformers and designed to sit flat on moving surfaces. Yoga towels are made for mats, while pilates towels focus more on coverage, cushioning, and staying put on equipment.
Is a pilates towel worth it for beginners?
Absolutely. Beginners often benefit the most from added grip and cushioning. A pilates towel can make movements feel more secure and comfortable, helping you focus on form instead of slipping or discomfort.