Pilates, barre and yoga have been shown to increase flexibility and core strength while also helping prevent injuries and improve joint alignment. Be it at home or a fitness center, with a mat or that fancy torture-like contraption (aka a Pilates reformer), the practice of Pilates has been around for more than 100 years. Pilates movements can be modified to meet the needs of participants’ different skill levels. This modifiability serves everyone from a regular guru to an athlete recovering from injury.
What are Pilates socks and are they necessary?
Enter: fashion and function. Pilates socks are trending, and I didn’t even know I was missing out! I’ve dabbled in my fair share of Pilates and barre fitness classes, often at home on a mat … barefoot. Am I the weird one without Pilates socks? Was I supposed to be wearing socks? Not the normal kind, but Pilates socks. There’s a difference. Simply stated, Pilates socks are socks with a non-slip, grippy bottom to prevent sliding on the mat or machine.
Curious if you really need one more item in your fitness routine? Practice however you wish at home, of course, but be mindful of your fitness center’s policies, which may require the additional accessory. I made my trendy purchase of the week to try out the socks. Overall, I found them helpful and cute too! Mine came in a three-pack and look very balletic. I felt more stable on the mat and didn’t find the socks to be sweaty or stinky (my initial concerns) after 45 minutes.
Are Pilates socks worth it? What should I look for?
“Pilates socks can add an extra level of support and stability to an exercise where you’re not wearing shoes but feel like you want to prevent slipping,” says Ally G. Nathan, a Pilates and yoga instructor at Mayo Clinic’s Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center. “I recommend using Pilates socks in a reformer Pilates class, as we are using our feet to balance on different surfaces of the reformer machine. The sticky bottoms of the socks help the student feel less likely to slip off the surfaces of the machine.” She challenges her students, though, to try going without socks during a mat Pilates or yoga class, as balancing on bare feet can strengthen ankle muscles and overall support. Don’t stress about the hundreds — yes, hundreds — of options out there. Comfort is your main objective.
Feeling intimidated about starting Pilates? Just attend a class, encourages Nathan: “Everyone is a beginner at some point!”
Relevant reading
Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Baby's First Years, Second Edition
While every baby brings their own set of challenges, Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Baby’s First Years offers informative guidance on standard child care practices such as proper nutrition and comforting a fussy baby. This revised reference guide also gives essential advice for a new generation of parents who face…
