When it comes to doing Pilates exercises, the main key word for any equipment you will need to purchase is “resistance”. Unlike with a lot of other exercise regimes where it is considered more important that the equipment makes the exercise easier, the majority of Pilates equipment actually makes it harder, but more effective.

The reason that this is the case is simple: without the resistance provided by the equipment, someone trying to get fit with Pilates will, inevitably, not get the best out of the exercise. It is in working against this resistance that you will work the specific muscle groups, known as your “core”, which will see you get fitter. A “Magic Circle” is one of the most popular and important pieces of equipment you can buy, and takes the shape of a ring (unsurprisingly), usually about a foot in diameter (or frequently just over) with a pad on either side of it.

The idea of those pads is to provide the all-important resistance that makes Pilates exercises highly effective. When exercising, the way to use a Magic Circle is that you sit inside it and hold or press the pads firmly but not aggressively. Although many first-time users attempt to push so hard on the sides that they buckle the thing, the correct level of pressure to use is simply one that brings resistance and makes the exercise more effective. It’s there to make you work the muscles, not bear it a grudge.

The benefits of using a Magic Circle are, like most other Pilates equipment, in the fact that it helps you firm up key muscle groups in your arms, hips and thighs. It is more than worth taking the time out to get a proper feel for the equipment before trying to use it. This is particularly the case if you have paid out for one of the more expensive models, which can come in at a cost of £45 ($75). Although these are more durable, they will not react well to people treating them like strength-testing machines. Used wisely, though, they will provide an excellent way of getting muscle tone.