Best Pilates Sliders (2026): 6 Gliding Discs for Reformer-Style Moves

The best Pilates sliders for most homes are the BODi Strength Slides with Booties. Yahoo Health's trainer-led roundup named them best overall because removable covers let one pair work on both hardwood and carpet.

Sliders, also called gliding discs or core sliders, are small, smooth discs you put under your hands, feet or knees so they glide across the floor.

Studio Pilates calls them "a low-cost, but effective apparatus." Jill Drummond of BodyBar Pilates told Yahoo Health they "essentially mimic some of the movement challenges of a Pilates reformer—without the price tag or the studio footprint."

They don't add springs, though, so think of them as a way to make bodyweight mat work harder, not a reformer substitute. Three things decide which pair suits you: your floor, disc size for your feet, and shape and grip.

Quick comparison

The best Pilates sliders

Best Overall

1. BODi Strength Slides with Booties (2-pack)

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Yahoo Health named the BODi Strength Slides its best overall pick. MacPherson describes them as 9-inch, slightly concave plastic discs with cloth covers. She credits the covers with making them work on hardwood, laminate and carpet, the larger diameter with adding stability, and the concave shape with keeping them from flipping.

• In the box: 2 slides and 2 removable cloth "booties," according to BODi
• Floors: BODi says the booties allow use "on a variety of smooth surfaces." Per Yahoo Health, booties go on for hard floors and come off for carpet.
• Size: 9 in, per Yahoo Health (BODi's own page doesn't list the diameter)
• Returns: BODi's store currently marks them final sale, so check the return policy wherever you buy.

Amazon's listing says they're recommended for BODi's PiYo Strength workouts, but Yahoo Health reviewed them as general-purpose sliders.

Pros

• ✓ One pair covers hard floors and carpet
• ✓ Larger 9 in diameter for stability
• ✓ Concave shape resists flipping, per Yahoo Health

Cons

• ✗ You have to swap covers when you change surfaces
• ✗ Covers are easy to misplace
• ✗ Bulkier to travel with
• ✗ Final sale on BODi's store

Best Budget

2. Synergee Core Sliders (2-pack, 7 in)

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The Synergee Core Sliders are Yahoo Health's budget-friendly pick and the cheapest dedicated pair here. Synergee lists:

• Size: 7 in across, 0.5 in thick
• Sides: EVA foam for hardwood; plastic for carpet or turf
• In the box: 2 sliders and a 5-exercise manual

Yahoo Health praised the dual-sided design and light weight. It also warns they "may scuff certain floor finishes" and may be too small for larger feet. BarBend, which listed them as a contender, notes reports of feet slipping because the discs have no tread.

Pros

• ✓ Lowest price tier in this guide
• ✓ Dual-sided for hardwood or carpet
• ✓ Light and easy to pack

Cons

• ✗ May scuff some floor finishes, per Yahoo Health
• ✗ 7 in may be small for larger feet
• ✗ No tread, so feet can slip, per BarBend

Best Pilates-Brand Pick

3. Merrithew STOTT PILATES Sliding Mobility Disks (set of 2)

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These are the only sliders from a major Pilates equipment brand that we found. Merrithew, the company behind STOTT PILATES, builds a mat workout and an instructor workshop around them. Both start with floor work for the arms, legs and core, then move to a standing balance series.

According to Merrithew:

• Size: 7 in (18 cm)
• Build: ABS plastic and EVA foam, double-sided
• Floors: "slide smoothly on hardwood or carpeted floor"; travel-friendly
• Support: free replacement of defective items with proof of purchase; 30-day returns if unused

A 2024 Merrithew blog post shows a sliding-disk series (Sliding Cat, Sliding Thread the Needle, Sliding Scissors) and advises starting with a smaller range of motion and controlling the glide. We found no independent review of these disks. Amazon has a listing that looks like the same product, but its "X-Large" title doesn't match Merrithew's 7-inch spec, so check the size before you buy.

Pros

• ✓ Made by a Pilates equipment brand
• ✓ Ties in with Merrithew's own sliding-disk workouts
• ✓ Dual-sided, replacement policy for defects

Cons

• ✗ No independent review found
• ✗ 7 in may be small for larger feet
• ✗ Amazon listing details don't match the brand spec

Best for Hardwood

4. Gliding Discs (hardwood floor version, pair)

Check price at Vista Fitness

Gliding Discs were created by fitness presenter Mindy Mylrea and are sold by Vista Fitness, which calls them "the original" patented sliding disc system (a brand claim). Unlike dual-sided discs, Gliding sells floor-specific versions.

According to Gliding:

• Size: a full 9 in across
• Hardwood version: "soft and flexible" discs covered in "tightweave nylon fabric," for hardwood, laminate, linoleum, polished concrete and tile
• Other versions: a rigid nylon carpet disc, a dual-sided disc, and a carpet-plus-hardwood bundle
• Uses: marketed for barre, Pilates, yoga and core work

The fabric side is worth a look if your hardwood gets tacky: Yahoo Health's MacPherson says hard floors "can become slightly sticky" on warm or humid days and favors a plastic surface over cloth then. We found no independent review, and we couldn't confirm Amazon availability, so this pick links to the brand store.

Pros

• ✓ Fabric surface made for hard floors
• ✓ Large 9 in diameter
• ✓ Separate carpet and dual-sided versions available

Cons

• ✗ No independent review found
• ✗ Hardwood version isn't meant for carpet
• ✗ Amazon availability unconfirmed

Best for Carpet

5. Valslide (The Original Valslide, pair)

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Valslide is sold through trainer Valerie Waters' own store, valslide.com, which also offers her coaching and courses. The discs are a long oval. If your pair is the 9.5-inch size Perform Better lists, that gives more length under a foot than a 7-inch round disc. According to Perform Better:

• Size: 9.5 x 5.5 in per disc; about 1 lb per pair. Pilates Collective Club lists 7.5 x 5 in, and valslide.com gives only a 12 x 7 x 2 in measurement (likely the package), so check the listing before you buy.
• Build: plastic bottom, foam-padded top
• Floors: the plastic bottoms "glide best on carpet and turf." For hardwood, tile or court floors, pair them with separate Valslide Booties.
• Extras: mesh carry bag

Retailer descriptions disagree on size and on which floors work, so we've gone with Perform Better's US listing. We found no independent review.

Pros

• ✓ Plastic base made for carpet and turf
• ✓ Padded top
• ✓ Includes a carry bag

Cons

• ✗ Needs separate booties for hard floors
• ✗ No independent review found
• ✗ Retailers list different sizes and floors

Best Textured Grip

6. SKLZ Slidez Core Stability Discs (2-pack)

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Garage Gym Reviews named SKLZ Slidez the best sliders in its core-equipment roundup and liked the grip. Academy Sports describes the top as a non-slip tread for hands, feet and knees, so they're worth a look for moves where your hands slide, like push-up slides and plank arm reaches. According to Academy Sports' listing:

• Shape: a multi-sided "unique shape"; GGR measures 9 x 8 in and 0.9 lb per pair
• Floors: a "smooth slide on virtually any surface"; Court Slidez are the separate hardwood and tile version
• Build: polyethylene, polyester and EVA, with a low-friction, non-marking base
• Grip: non-slip tread for hands, feet and knees
• Extras: the discs clip together for two-limb moves; training guide; 1-year limited warranty

GGR liked the grip, glide and portability, but says they "might" be hard to use for people with smaller hands and cost more than alternatives. SKLZ also sells Court Slidez, a grey version for hardwood, tile and courts. Check which one you're buying.

Pros

• ✓ Textured tread for hands and knees
• ✓ Clip together for two-limb moves
• ✓ 1-year limited warranty

Cons

• ✗ Large for small hands, per GGR
• ✗ Costs more than basic pairs
• ✗ Standard and Court versions are easy to mix up

Also considered

• Gaiam Core Sliding Discs: dual-sided for carpet and hardwood, but Yahoo Health called them "overpriced for performance level."
• BOSU Core Sliders: the cheapest pair Yahoo Health reviewed, but they did poorly on rubber gym flooring.
• LEKFIT Perfect Glider: Yahoo Health found it could flip during pikes when larger feet hung over the edge.
• AZURELIFE: BarBend's best for travel (7 in, EVA and ABS, with a workout guide), though BarBend says they may not slide on yoga mats and may scuff wood floors.
• Bala Sliders: several Pilates instructors and trainers in Marie Claire UK's roundup recommend them. Marie Claire says they're two-sided but sell out quickly.

How to choose Pilates sliders

Match the slider to your floor

MacPherson calls floor type "the most important factor." A disc that glides on carpet may stick on hardwood, and the reverse is also true. Dual-sided discs such as Synergee put foam or fabric face-down on hard floors and smooth plastic face-down on carpet, per Synergee and Yahoo Health. Merrithew's disks are double-sided for hardwood or carpet, per the brand.

Single-sided discs are different. Valslide's plastic base is meant for carpet and needs booties on hard floors, and Gliding sells separate hardwood and carpet versions.

Mats and rubber floors are a problem. BarBend says some discs may not slide on yoga mats, and Yahoo Health found BOSU's sliders did poorly on rubber flooring. If your discs drag on a Pilates mat, slide on the bare floor beside it and check the listing for mat use.

Tap the diagram to enlarge

No sliders yet? Studio Pilates suggests a towel or cloth on wood floors, and plastic plates or coasters on carpet.

Size and shape

• About 7 in: more portable, but MacPherson says they're "more likely to slip out from under larger feet."
• 8–9 in: her suggestion if you wear a women's size 10 (men's 8.5) or larger, and more stable for pikes and mountain climbers.
• Concave: these "tend to stay more secure under your foot during dynamic movements," per Yahoo Health.
• Oval or multi-sided: Valslide's oval adds length under the foot if you get the 9.5 in size Perform Better lists. SKLZ's large 9 x 8 in disc may be awkward for small hands, according to GGR.

Do you need Pilates-branded sliders?

Not necessarily. Merrithew's STOTT PILATES disks and Synergee's budget pair have the same published specs: 7 in, dual-sided, foam or EVA on one side and plastic on the other. We found no evidence that branded discs glide better. Pay more for size (8–9 in for larger feet), a concave shape or a warranty, not the logo.

Protect your floors

Yahoo Health and BarBend both flag scuffing on some finishes (Synergee and AZURELIFE). Try a new pair on a hidden patch of floor first. If your hardwood gets tacky in warm or humid weather, MacPherson suggests a plastic-surfaced disc instead of cloth.

Can Pilates sliders replace a reformer?

Not fully. Instructors describe sliders as copying parts of the reformer's feel. Drummond told Yahoo Health that slider moves "keep muscles under constant tension." Jennie Brown, founder of Meet You At The Barre, told Stylist that sliders "leverage your body weight – somewhat like a pilates reformer machine." Pilates Anytime describes a Balanced Body–method mat class as using "sliding discs to create a reformer-like experience on your Mat."

Victoria Repa, CEO of the fitness app BetterMe, told Yahoo Health that sliders "create instability, which forces the muscles, especially the core muscles, to work harder to control each movement." But sliders add no spring resistance (see reformer vs. mat Pilates for how springs change the work). We found no study comparing slider workouts with reformer Pilates, so treat claims that they're "as effective" as a reformer as unproven.

Reformer Pilates moves to try with sliders

Studio Pilates suggests a plank with the arms pressing out, Swan, and single-leg squat pulses. Stylist's slider moves include reverse lunges, bridges with a heel slide, mountain climbers, alternating leg curls and plank to pike.

Tap the diagram to enlarge

The sliding leg curl has some evidence behind it. In a small 2015 study of 20 elite female track-and-field athletes, Tsaklis and colleagues found the "slide leg" exercise was "the highest intensity of all exercises" they measured for hamstring activation. Participants slid their heels on pieces of rug rather than commercial sliders. That's one small study of athletes, so it doesn't show what sliders do for everyone. We found no peer-reviewed study on sliders for core work.

If you're new to Pilates or returning after an injury, follow Merrithew's advice: start with a small range of motion and control the glide. Check with your doctor or physical therapist if you have a health condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Pilates sliders used for?

They're discs you put under your hands, feet or knees so they glide across the floor, turning lunges, planks and bridges into controlled sliding moves, according to Studio Pilates and Stylist. BodyBar Pilates' Jill Drummond told Yahoo Health they mimic some of a reformer's movement challenges without the cost or footprint.

Which side of the slider goes on hardwood vs. carpet?

On dual-sided discs such as Synergee, the foam or fabric side goes down on hardwood and the smooth plastic side goes down on carpet, per Synergee and Yahoo Health. Single-sided discs differ: Valslide's plastic base suits carpet and needs booties on hard floors, and Gliding sells separate hardwood and carpet versions.

Can I use sliders on a yoga or Pilates mat?

Usually not well. BarBend says some discs may not slide on yoga mats, and Yahoo Health found one pair struggled on rubber flooring. If your discs drag on a mat, slide on the bare floor beside it and check the listing for mat use.

Are Pilates sliders different from regular core sliders?

Not in any way we could find. Merrithew's STOTT PILATES disks and Synergee's Core Sliders list the same 7 in size and dual-sided foam-and-plastic build. Choose by size, shape, floor type and warranty rather than branding.

Do sliders replace reformer Pilates?

Not fully. Instructors quoted by Yahoo Health and Stylist say sliders mimic parts of the reformer's movement, and Pilates Anytime calls one slider class 'reformer-like.' But sliders have no adjustable spring resistance, and we found no study comparing the two.

Are Pilates sliders worth it?

For most home exercisers, yes, if you want to make mat work harder on a small budget. Studio Pilates calls them 'a low-cost, but effective apparatus,' and most pairs here fall in the Under $15 to $20–40 tiers. They don't add spring resistance, so they won't fully replace reformer classes.

What size sliders should I get?

About 7 in discs are the most portable. Yahoo Health's trainer recommends 8–9 in discs if you wear a women's size 10 (men's 8.5) or larger, and says concave shapes stay put better.

The verdict

The BODi Strength Slides with Booties are the easiest pick for most homes, especially if you have both hard floors and carpet. Choose by how you'll use them:

• Mixed floors, most people: BODi Strength Slides (9 in, concave, removable booties)
• Cheapest first pair: Synergee Core Sliders (7 in, dual-sided)
• Following STOTT PILATES workouts: Merrithew Sliding Mobility Disks
• Hardwood only: Gliding Discs (hardwood version)
• Carpet only: Valslide
• Textured grip for hands and knees: SKLZ Slidez

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For more resistance, pair sliders with a Pilates ring. For balance and spine work, see our best foam rollers for Pilates. If you're building a kit from scratch, start with our Pilates equipment for beginners guide, or browse more Pilates accessories.

Sources

• Yahoo Health: The best sliding discs (Rachel MacPherson, May 2026)
• BarBend: Best core sliders (July 2024)
• Garage Gym Reviews: Core exercise equipment
• Merrithew: Sliding Mobility Disks (set of 2)
• Merrithew: Sliding disk series (September 2024)
• Merrithew: Sliding Mobility Disks for Dynamic Stabilization workshop
• BODi: Strength Slides with Booties
• BODi Strength Slides on Amazon
• Synergee: Core Sliders
• Marie Claire UK: Best Pilates sliders
• Valslide: The Original Valslide
• Perform Better: ValSlide
• Gliding Discs
• Vista Fitness: Gliding store
• Academy Sports: SKLZ Slidez
• Studio Pilates: The Pilates slider (June 2024)
• Pilates Anytime: Motion is Lotion (Misty Lynne Cauthen)
• Stylist: Pilates slider workout (March 2024)
• Tsaklis et al., 2015, Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine