This $10 accessory levelled up my yoga routine

A woman practicing yoga with yoga blocks in front of a window, next to a chair and plant
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

I’ve only taken the odd yoga class over the years, so I’m by no means an expert. However, since I bought my Peloton Bike, I’ve gotten back into the swing of things. I’ve started taking morning classes over the weekend to get my body stretched and ready for the day. However, there was one accessory that almost every class demanded and which I hadn’t used before. 

No, it’s not one of the best yoga mats, it’s actually something much smaller that is designed to help those with less reach and flexibility. Naturally, I fell into that category so I went ahead and purchased this option. Here’s what happened.  

My new favorite yoga accessory 

The accessory I’m referring to is in fact a pair of yoga blocks. These are by no means a new thing, but if you’re a novice yogi like myself, they may have slipped under your radar until now.  

Yoga blocks are essentially firm, foam blocks that are used to support your frame during a workout. They’re usually sold in pairs and measure about 4 x 6 x 9 inches in size, although there are smaller and larger blocks available to suit different heights. The material can sometimes vary too — some more premium yoga blocks are made out of cork or even wood. The idea is that they need to be solid enough to take your weight, but soft enough to comfortably grip during certain poses.

A wooden yoga block being used during a stretch

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Yoga blocks are designed to extend the floor’s height during a workout. You can use them flat, on their side, or upright for three levels of height. You usually grip them with each hand for an easier reach during both floor and standing poses, but they can also be used to support other areas of your body, such as your hips in pigeon pose, or your lower back in certain backbends. They’re intended to add comfort to a yoga workout, making certain poses easier to achieve — ideal if you struggle with flexibility or feel a tightness in your muscles. That’s why I liked the idea of using them in my morning yoga classes. 

My thoughts on yoga blocks 

Before I invested in my yoga blocks, I found a lot of the poses in my Peloton classes difficult to achieve and almost painful, particularly if I was trying to ease into a class. On more than one occasion, I ended up waiting for the next pose to start before I continued the session. The instructor would often say you can use books as an alternative, but this didn’t seem like a stable option unless used flat. Rather than damage the spines of my favorite novels, I opted for investing in the real thing. 

A woman practicing yoga in her bedroom using yoga blocks

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Peloton was using its own brand of yoga blocks during the classes of course, but at $30 I decided to source a cheaper option on Amazon. There are plenty to choose from online for around the $10 mark, some of which can come with other useful accessories such as yoga blankets and straps. 

At first, I felt quite unstable supporting myself on the blocks. They were fine to use when flat, but things got a bit shaky when they were on their sides or upright — I almost fell over when balancing on one and nearly gave them up entirely. But, as the Peloton classes continued to call for them, I continued to use them. 

My confidence grew and I found some of the poses became more achievable. In fact, I felt comfortable enough to hold some of the poses for much longer than previously possible. I'm hoping as I get more used to the postures, I'll eventually be able to touch my palm on the floor without the block entirely, but until then, they've become an essential part of my practise. 

A woman practicing a standing yoga pose using a yoga block

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

In terms of durability, I will admit you’ll see some wear and tear. The foam on mine is already showing puncture marks from nails and grease and grime quickly builds up too. Although you can easily clean them with some soapy water and a microfiber cloth. It’s also worth mentioning that yoga blocks can attract pets — my cat has left some claw marks of her own and our Fitness Editor’s dog had a chewing session with her cork block. So keep the blocks out of reach for furry family members ideally. 

For such a reasonable price, these blocks are easily replaceable though and I really recommend them for those that lack flexibility when it comes to yoga. The difference they can make in terms of comfort adds to the enjoyment of the class and they can really help those that are new to the poses. 

Katie Mortram
Homes Editor

Katie Mortram used to be a Homes Editor for Tom's Guide, where she oversaw everything from kitchen appliances to gardening tools, as well as smart home tech. Specializing in providing expert advice for cleaning and home manintenance, she now works as Household Advice Editor for Good Housekeeping. 

Read more
woman doing bird dog pose
6 tips for trying yoga for beginners — from a yoga instructor
woman doing yoga stretch of back
I tried this 10-minute yoga stretch for my tight back, neck and shoulders — here's what happened to my body
a photo of a woman with strong abs
No, not weights — you need a yoga block and this 10-minute workout to build strong abs instead
Best yoga mats: Writer Sam performing cat-cow on her yoga mat during Pilates workout
11 best yoga mats 2025: Tested by yoga instructors and fitness experts
Woman in holding a squat over a chair during a chair yoga class
Forget down dog — this 10-minute chair yoga workout builds strength and boosts your mobility
woman doing cat cow stretch outdoors
A yoga teacher says this 10-minute flow can help relieve back pain, so I tried it — here's what happened
Latest in Fitness
adidas Men's Ultraboost Light Sneaker held aloft
Mega Adidas sale is live from $8 at Amazon — 15 deals I’d buy now on sneakers and apparel
Walking workout man and woman walking up stairs
I'm a personal trainer — these are my 3 'non-negotiables' for building mental stamina
Woman walking on the WalkingPad Z1
Quick! This popular WalkingPad treadmill is $96 off ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale
a photo of a woman holding a barbell
I swapped barbells for a banded resistance bar — and it transformed my strength training
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4
I ran 40 miles in the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 — here’s my verdict
a photo of a woman out for a walk
Forget running — I did this one thing to boost the calorie burn on my daily walks
Latest in News
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 — 7 biggest questions that need answers at Nintendo Direct April 2
iPhone 17 Air render
iPhone 17 Air — new survey could be bad news for Apple's super thin iPhone
Segway g30lp
Segway recalls 220,000 electric scooters - what to do if yours is on the list
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs S25 Plus vs S25
Satellite messaging on Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy S25 just landed on 3 more carriers
L-R: Claude (Marco Calvani), Danny (Colman Domingo), Kate (Tina Fey) and Jack (Will Forte) have their bags packed for Netflix's "The Four Seasons"
Netflix just teased a new comedy series starring Tina Fey, Steve Carrell and Colman Domingo — and we already have a release date
back of Iris Pixel 9a
The Google Pixel 9a is lacking one of the Pixel 9’s best safety features — here’s what we know