— What to wear
What to wear to Pilates
Wear fitted, comfortable clothing that moves with you and lets your instructor see your alignment, so leggings or fitted shorts with a close-fitting top. Add grip socks, which are required for reformer and mat classes. For hot classes, choose light, sweat-wicking fabrics and bring a towel and water.
That advice holds across both rooms at Bare Wellness, a boutique Pilates and yoga studio opening inside Bloom Arjaan on Saadiyat Island in Q3 2026. This guide covers what works for the Reformer Studio, for mat classes in the Open Studio, and for infrared hot classes, along with the small details that make a first visit easier.
— At a glance
What matters most
Fitted beats loose
Close-fitting clothing shows your instructor how your spine, hips and knees are tracking, and it stays in place when you fold, bridge or invert.
Grip socks required
Reformer and mat classes at Bare Wellness require grip socks, for hygiene and for traction on the carriage and the mat.
Light for heat
Hot classes use infrared heat, so choose breathable, sweat-wicking fabrics and bring a towel and water with you.
Skip the hardware
Zippers, buckles and long jewelry can scratch equipment and dig into your back during floor work. Leave them in your bag.
Why fitted clothing matters
Pilates is taught through the eyes as much as the voice. Your instructor reads the position of your ribs, pelvis and knees to offer corrections, and a fitted top or leggings makes that possible. Loose clothing hides the very things a good teacher is watching, so the coaching gets vaguer and the work gets less precise.
There is a practical side too. A baggy shirt falls over your face in bridges and inversions, and wide shorts ride up in straps work. Fitted does not mean tight or new. Anything comfortable that stays where you put it, in any fabric you like to move in, is right.
Dressing for reformer classes
For reformer classes in the ten-bed Reformer Studio, leggings are the most comfortable choice because your legs spend real time in the straps and against the carriage. Fitted shorts work as well if you prefer them. On top, a tank or fitted tee sits flat against the shoulder rests during footwork, with nothing bunching behind your neck.
Grip socks are required in the Reformer Studio, both for hygiene and because they hold on the carriage where bare feet and cotton socks slide. Skip clothing with zippers, metal trims or drawstring toggles, which can scratch the upholstery, and tie long hair back so it stays clear of the springs and headrest.
Dressing for mat classes
Mat classes are the most forgiving to dress for, but the same logic applies. High-waisted leggings keep your lower back covered through rolling exercises, and a fitted top stays put in spinal curls and planks. Grip socks are required here too, and they earn their keep in standing and side-lying work.
Mat work in the Open Studio starts slow and warms as it builds, so a light layer over your top is welcome for the first few minutes. You can shed it once the core series begins. If you are choosing between formats for a first visit, mat Pilates is an easy place to learn the fundamentals.
Dressing for hot classes
Hot classes at Bare Wellness use infrared heat, which warms the body directly rather than blasting the air, and you will still sweat properly. Choose the lightest fitted clothing you own in sweat-wicking fabric. Heavy cotton holds moisture and gets heavier as class goes on, which is the opposite of what you want.
Bring a towel and water, and drink well before you arrive rather than trying to catch up mid-class. For hot Pilates, grip socks still apply since the format is mat based, and a spare top for afterward is a small kindness to yourself. If you are pregnant or have a heart or blood pressure condition, speak to your doctor before booking a heated class.
What to pack
One small bag covers everything. The studio sits inside Bloom Arjaan on Saadiyat Island, and arriving ten minutes early for a first visit gives you time to check in, meet your instructor and settle without rushing. A short packing list keeps that arrival easy.
Two things are worth leaving out as well. Hand and foot lotion applied just before class makes grip harder on the mat and the footbar, and strong perfume carries a long way in a warm room. Save both for after your shower.
- Grip socks for any reformer or mat class
- A water bottle, for every class and not only the hot ones
- A towel and a spare top for hot classes
- A hair tie for anything past chin length
- A light layer for the drive home
— Good to know
Frequently asked
- Do I need grip socks for Pilates?
- Yes at Bare Wellness. Grip socks are required for reformer and mat classes, for hygiene and for traction on the carriage and the mat. Any pair with rubberized soles works, and it is worth owning your own so they fit well.
- Can I wear shorts to reformer Pilates?
- You can, as long as they are fitted. Loose shorts ride up in straps work and legs-in-the-air sequences. Many people find leggings more comfortable on the reformer because the carriage and straps sit directly against the legs.
- What should I wear to hot Pilates?
- The lightest fitted clothing you own, in breathable, sweat-wicking fabric. Bare Wellness heats these classes with infrared, and you will sweat, so bring a towel and water and hydrate before you arrive. Grip socks are still required since the class is mat based.
- Do I need special shoes for Pilates?
- No. Pilates is practiced without shoes. You will change out of them when you arrive and work in grip socks for reformer and mat classes. Yoga classes are typically taken barefoot, so socks there are a personal choice.
- Can I wear jewelry to a Pilates class?
- Small studs and a flat ring are fine. Long necklaces swing in your face during bridging, bracelets catch on straps, and anything sharp can scratch the reformer upholstery. Simplest is to leave jewelry at home or tuck it into your bag before class.
- What should I bring to my first class?
- Grip socks, water and clothing you can move in. Arrive ten minutes early so there is time to check in and get set up, and tell your instructor it is your first visit so they can keep an eye on your setup.
— Keep reading
— Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
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