What you actually need to start
A mat. That is the honest list.
Everything a class needs works on the floor with your own bodyweight. Instructors on The Studio Online are required to build every class so it works with just a mat, so props are always an "if you have one", never a "go and buy one".
If you do want to spend a little, this is the order we would spend it in:
1. A proper mat. Thicker than a yoga mat, around 8 to 15mm. Your spine will thank you during roll-downs and anything on your back. A folded towel on carpet gets you going. 2. A long resistance band or a light loop. Adds gentle load to leg and glute work. Under a tenner. 3. A small soft ball. Turns up in a lot of Pilates classes for feedback and core work. A cushion often stands in fine.
You do not need grippy socks, a reformer (that is a studio machine, and not what online classes are built around), special clothing, or a dedicated room. A clear patch of floor about the size of your mat plus a bit is enough.
Start with the mat. Add the rest only once a class makes you wish you had it.
New to exercise, pregnant, recovering from an injury or managing a health condition? Have a word with your GP before you start, and work at your own pace. Classes are general fitness, not medical advice, and you take part at your own risk. More in our Terms.