buzzfeed Press
20 Yoga Accessories That Will Upgrade Your Next Workout
Images
BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Read More These products will have you pulsing, pressing, and flowing in ~namaste~ bliss. I'm a staff writer on the BuzzFeed Shopping team who covers a variety of topics from beauty to home to travel, while having a special enthusiasm for K-beauty, quirky (but useful!) trinkets, and all things luxe and aesthetic. Yoga has long been one of the most popular workouts because of its focus on uniting the mind, body, and spirit through physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. There's nothing quite like going into a dimly lit room and spending roughly an hour in that mind-body connection. However, there are many items that contribute to how much you enjoy that yoga class. Whether you're partial to the fast-paced Vinyasa yoga or enjoy the slower, more breath-focused Hatha yoga, the accessories you equip yourself with are important to all yogis alike. This can include a quality mat, a mat towel, or just a cute yoga tote bag. No matter what you're looking for, you'll find something in here that'll elevate your flow to another level. Who is a self-respecting yogi without a *truly* good, dependable mat? One that keeps them stable and comfortable enough to execute each move confidently, whether it's a crescent lunge or a crow pose. That's where this mat comes in! It's got a ribbed texture for stability, one-inch thickness to help relieve pressure on your knees, hips, elbows, and spine, and it's super easy to clean. One reviewer says it feels like "yoga on a cloud." Plus, it includes a handy carrying strap! Promising review: "This mat is a game changer for my home workouts! With its 1" thickness and non-slip surface, it provides excellent support and stability for yoga, Pilates, stretching, and other fitness routines. I love the added convenience of the nylon strap, making it easy to carry around. Whether I'm flowing through yoga poses or breaking a sweat with cardio, this mat keeps me comfortable and focused. Definitely a must-have for anyone looking to elevate their home fitness routine!" —Nancy Badillo Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in 13 colors). Yes, this is more of a ~splurge~, but your mat is quite literally the foundation of your practice and is definitely worth the investment. This dual-sided mat can be flipped as needed between the smooth, grippy side and the cushioned, natural rubber side. And since it's a little extra cushiony compared to other mats, it provides plenty of support for your hands, knees, and feet. It's also 5mm long, giving you *lots* of room for your stretches and poses. I'm quite the tall yogi-slash-Pilates princess (5’9”), so I truly appreciate the extra room this mat gives me. If you don't like your mat, you simply won't enjoy your workout (which is the root of inconsistency, IMO). When standing, the mat space lets me fully stretch into warrior poses, which is really saying something with the daddy longlegs I've got. And trust me, whether you're a remote worker wanting to break up your day with a relaxing 10-minute yoga session or wanting to reset with a mat Pilates routine on a Sunday, you won't regret this purchase. Promising review: "Best yoga mat! I’ve been using this mat for years. It’s the best one out there. Gives enough 'stick' and lasts a very long time. Highly recommend! Perfect for all levels and styles of yoga!" —Sweat Collective member Get it from Lululemon for $118 (available in six colors). A cult-favorite amongst the yoga community, this block is top of the class when it comes to yoga accessories. Whether you're in a camel pose or downward-facing dog, its rounded edges and satisfyingly grippy texture help support your weight and balance while still feeling comfortable. At about two pounds, it’s one of the heaviest cork blocks out there, which offers you some extra stability for more challenging poses! Promising review: "Great weight for balance and stability. Feel very nice in my hands, perfect shape, and the rounded corners are comfortable. I’m a 5’3” woman with fairly small, chunky hands and short fingers (see pics for hand size in relation to the blocks), and these are perfect. They are the great quality you’d expect from Manduka. They’ve only shed a teeny bit, nothing too noticeable. These are far superior to the foam blocks I used to have and are better for the environment. Very nice color LOL, the color of all cork I suppose. They came separately in their own boxes, packaged very nicely, and arrived with no damage. Keep in mind, you do have to purchase each separately. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" —Rita M. Get it from Amazon for $22+ (available in two sizes). TBH, this bag might be...the only bag you ever need? Not only does it have a pocket for your yoga mat, but it also fits your laptop, water bottle, and extra clothes if you're a yogi on the go. It also has a zippered pocket and a large wet pocket for sweaty workout clothes or a wet post-class towel, which is especially convenient after hot yoga! Promising review: "I’m extremely happy with my new gym bag. I was able to consolidate the yoga mat bag and gym bag into this one bag. Exceeded my expectations for the price. Lightweight, lots of storage, zipper compartments, and pockets to organize gym supplies. It has a strap to secure to the luggage pulley. This will be a great travel bag." —CY Get it from Amazon for $19.98+ (available in 11 colors). These babies have a strong grip that has earned them thousands of praises from reviewers who use them specifically for Pilates, barre, and yoga. These will ensure your feet stay firmly on the mat so you can go through your movements confidently without fear of slipping. The quality is so great, this reviewer even deems them "far superior" to the pricey Bombas socks. 👀 Promising review: "I recently purchased a pair of Pilates socks, and they have significantly enhanced my workout experience. The grip on the soles is excellent, providing stability during my sessions and preventing slips on the mat. The fabric is soft and breathable, making it comfortable to wear throughout my entire workout. I also love that they have a snug fit, which keeps them in place without being too tight. The design is stylish and functional, and I appreciate the variety of colors available. Overall, these Pilates socks are a fantastic addition to my workout gear, and I highly recommend them for anyone looking to improve their practice!" —Mary jacob Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in unisex sizes S–XL and various pack sizes and colors). These straps may seem simple, but they've got so many uses for your flow! You can loop around your feet to gently extend your hamstrings for a forward fold, hold both ends behind your back to open your chest and shoulders in poses like cow face pose, or use it to bind your hands in backbends like bow pose for extra support. Reviewers say they're durable, comfortable to use, and that they really help deepen stretches and improve flexibility. Promising review: "This is more than a yoga strap. It's a fulfillment of promises. That's the best way I can put it. This strap is thick, so it doesn't stretch and doesn't bunch/roll up, yet it is soft. The D rings are tops! They are such high quality, even the ring. Don't let the great price fool you. Everything about this strap shows the highest quality, and every detail has been thought out. It's exactly what I was looking for: no gimmicks, nothing extra. It is a superb product and comes in lots of fun colors!" —Frank D Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in 15 colors). Anyone who's ever taken a hot yoga class knows just how convenient (and, for many, *necessary*) having a mat towel is. This highly absorbent mat has a silicone-backed bottom that stays firmly in place and will keep your mat from getting ~slippery~ with sweat. Promising review: "Love this hot yoga towel. I use it for hot Pilates and hot yoga. It is the perfect size, does very well staying in place, light for travel, super absorbent, and I get compliments on how cute my towels are! I sweat a TON, and it does great catching it all. It is quick to dry in the dryer after the wash on low heat. I loved it so much that I purchased it in just about every color. I had another popular brand towel I used before that was much more expensive, and this is hands down way better." —Veronica Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in five colors). What's a yogi without their handy yoga mat strap? This handmade (and eco-friendly!) macrame yoga mat strap is adjustable and *very* comfy to carry over or across the shoulder. And it comes in sooo many cute colors! Laha Corner is a small business that specializes in macrame decor, gifting and accessories. Promising review: "The Yoga Mat carrier was over and above what I expected. The strength of the rope was amazing and the turquoise with the brown was beautiful! I will definitely buy from Laha Corner again and highly recommend them to others." —Etsybuyer Get it from Laha Corner on Etsy for $19 (originally $38; available in three styles and 33 colors). This roomy yoga mat bag fits a standard yoga mat, towel, water bottle, phone, and keys with space to spare. Its full-length zipper design makes it super easy to take your mat in and out *and* it's got a water-resistant compartment to keep damp towels separate your other belongings. Promising review: "Love this yoga mat bag! Inside is very roomy and high quality material canvas, totally lined inside, plus two pockets for keys, wallet etc. Price is very reasonable for the quality. Comes in several colors and designs." —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $14.49 (available in 11 colors). If you've ever been in a low lunge or table-top pose and felt like your knees were a second away from giving out, these pads are exactly what you need! They provide thick cushioning with a gel-like foam and absorb pressure to protect sensitive knees and elbows. They're also designed with non-slip grip to prevent shifting during poses! Promising review: "I can't say enough good things about these knee pads! I recently ordered two sets, which gave me a total of four pads, and they have truly been a game changer for my workout routine. Whether I'm doing yoga, floor exercises, or using my booty bands, these knee pads have become an indispensable part of my fitness equipment. They provide exceptional cushioning and support for my knees and elbows, making even the toughest workouts more comfortable. The quality and durability of these pads are outstanding. The design is sleek and practical, and I appreciate that they come in a set of two. If you're serious about your fitness and want to protect your joints while you work up a sweat, I highly recommend these. They've made a significant difference in my exercise routine, and I can't imagine working out without them now. These pads are worth every penny, and I'm giving them a well-deserved 5-star rating!" —Melissa Slusarek This handy dandy spray and microfiber towel are here to wipe alllll the dust and gunk (and, in some cases, years of sweat 👀) off of your mat. It works its magic with the cleaning power of coconut oil, jojoba oil, and tea tree oil *without* leaving sticky residue or tackiness. It works on all mat types (rubber, cork, microfiber) and other yoga gear like blocks and rollers. Reviewer say it dries very fast and that it's got a ~heavenly~ scent, adding some light aromatherapy to their practice! Promising review: "I get compliments every single yoga class when I use this to clean my mat (which I do after every class). People come from across the room to ask what that amazing smell is and I have directed people here to buy this. I love that every practice, I get to smell and amazing mat and that it leaves no sticky residue — just a restored mat. I initially got this to inspire me to clean my new and most expensive mat ever purchased and the smell motivates me to keep it clean and smelling good always :)! Thank you for creating something practical with a scent that doesn’t bother people. I keep buying the lemongrass one over and over again since it seems pretty universal." —Karen D Pierik Get the spray and a microfiber towel from Amazon for $13.99 (available in seven scents and three variety packs). These'll add a little extra weight to your everyday yoga sessions — one pound each, to be specific (which may not sound like a lot, but boy oh boy will you feel it after a few minutes). These weights are designed to provide a comfortable and secure fit, ensuring they stay in place during a variety of exercises, including walking, running, and aerobics. They're also just as cute as they are effective, and will add an extra challenge to those hot girl walks. Promising review: "Love these!! I wear them on my ankles when I go for walks and when I do Pilates. It adds just the right amount of weight to make a difference. Plus, they are really cute colors!!" —Makenzi Two or three pounds may not seem like much at first, but BOY do they make a difference when you're 30 seconds into your chest opener hold, warrior pose, or bridge pose. This ball is designed for strength, balance, and sculpting. You can also use it between your knees during side-lying poses for inner thigh engagement! Promising review: "Very comfortable to hold and use." —Carolyn Get it from Amazon and Bala for $25+ (available in two weight sizes and five colors). Remember the slap bracelets we had as kids? Well, now they've got them for yoga mats! This no-fuss band slaps right onto your rolled yoga mat and holds it securely and tightly without slipping. Promising review: "Designed like a 'slap' bracelet, this is a perfect application for binding a yoga mat. While my fellow class members are still working with their Velcro bands, I’m out of the building. Additionally, the quality is good. I fully expect that it will last as long as my brand-new Gaiam mat!" —Diane This reviewer-beloved balance ball promises slip-resistance and durability, and has over 35,000 5-star reviews backing it up! This can help increase balance, flexibility, and core strength with exercises like planks, push-ups, and hip flexor stretches. Many reviewers have also raved about its effectiveness when used for at-home physical therapy and labor preparation. Promising review: "This exercise ball is a great addition to your at-home gym! The material is soft, it's firm enough to hold my weight, and it doesn't lose air. It even came with a device to manually blow it up! Lastly, I love the hot pink color because it really pops!" —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $12.94+ (available in five sizes and six colors). For many of us, keeping our hair and sweat AWAY from our face and eyes is essential for an enjoyable workout. Whether you're simply doing some meditative work or practicing some slow (agonizing) core movements, these stretchy headbands stay on your head and absorb sweat like a pro. Reviewers appreciate their soft, T-shirt-like fabric and say they provide a snug, comfy fit without feeling too tight on their head. The best part? They come in sooo many mixes of cute colors and patterns! I can't even tell you how many headbands I've gone through that simply don't check all the boxes. I liked the idea of the super soft headbands, but they were perhaps a little too soft to actually stay on my head. (Especially during intense workouts!) The Maven Thread headbands' texture, however, seemed perfect — still very soft, but a bit more grippy. So, I put them to the test: an intense, loud, sweaty spin class. They👏 stayed👏 put.👏 And believe me, I was whipping my hair left and right. I also love that you can twist these to get different looks! Promising review: "I cannot say enough good things about these headbands. First off, the material is super soft. These are so comfortable and absorbent. I sweat a LOT when I work out, and these keep the sweat out of my eyes. I’m a runner, and these are my go-tos during all of my runs. These headbands stay put perfectly. I can’t think of a single run I’ve needed to adjust these headbands before, and I’ve worn Maven Thread headbands on two- to three-hour-long runs. They also do a fantastic job of keeping my hair out of my face while I’m running, which is a huge pet peeve of mine. Not only are these super functional, but they’re super cute too! I love that they also come out with seasonal/holiday-specific headbands. I’ve purchased these headbands time and time again, not only for myself, but to give to others as well. The people who received these as gifts from me now purchase these headbands as gifts for other people. They’re just that amazing. I could go on and on about these headbands, but to sum it all up — you can’t beat these!" —Kate Get a two-pack from Amazon for $17.99 (available in 25 color combinations). Reviewers *love* this bolster pillow for restorative yoga like meditation, deep stretches, and relaxation poses. It's firm enough to help you maintain poses while its cotton batting provides cushioned comfort. Place under your spine to open the chest and shoulders gently in your reclined cobbler's pose, or lay it lengthwise to rest your torso and forehead on it in your supported child's pose. Promising review: "This is a great bolster that has the right amount of sturdiness as well as give. It’s solid without being unnecessarily or uncomfortably hard, and has worked well for expanding my options with practicing yoga. The bolster does have a hefty weight to it, but I consider that a plus in supporting my hips and back. Happy with the purchase." —Glenn Get it from Amazon for $44.99 (available in three colors). Muscle recovery is important! This gentle yet effective high-density roller provides deeper muscle compression and can help relieve back pain. Its lightly coarse surface keeps it steady against clothing and the floor to avoid slipping, and it's earned over (wait for it) 85,000 5-star ratings! It gets the job done, and you really can't beat the price. Promising review: "This foam roller is excellent quality and exactly what I was looking for. It’s firm enough to really work out sore muscles but still comfortable to use, and it holds its shape well without denting. The size is perfect for full back and leg rolling, and it feels sturdy and durable. Whether for stretching, recovery, or everyday use, this roller gets the job done and is a great addition to any routine." —Kmsbrunette Get a 36-inch roller from Amazon for $24.99 (available in other sizes). This stick works wonders for active stretching and mobility in yoga. It's made of sturdy bamboo and has honeycomb-textured non-slip hand grips at each end. You can use it for moves like shoulder pass-throughs, spinal rotations, and hip flexor stretches. It also has a QR code for 20+ video tutorials of guided routines! Promising review: "This stick is incredible. I have a lot of stubborn scapula tension that is very hard to stretch, and this stick can create some incredible extension with minimal effort. I started using it in my yoga practice for standing poses, and I am able to stretch my hips better than yoga blocks have ever provided. There is a QR code on the stick that will take you to a link with 20 incredible stretches that target all those frustrating tension points. It’s well-balanced in weight and feels like an extension of yourself. I feel like a wizard! All I need now is a sword and a Balrog to fight." —Nick Rangel If you're a rockstar that can work out with your hair down, I love that for you. But if you're like the rest of us and need your hair OUT of your face to get a proper workout in, these hair ties from Kitsch (a beloved brand in the hair world) are a great option! They're designed to work for fine, thick, straight, and curly hair *and* are made to grip without pulling, snagging, or tugging. They come in many pretty, neutral hues. And bonus! They're made from soft recycled nylon. Promising review: "I love the color and the texture. I have really thick hair, so I usually find myself using two hair ties to put my hair up, but not with these! It also isn’t too tight. Some hair ties give me a headache, but these? I forget I’m wearing them." —Jessica L. Get an eight-pack from Amazon for $7.99 (available in three styles and three color packs) and Kitsch for $6.24+ (originally $8; available in three color packs). BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way. The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
Comments
You must be logged in to comment.