We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

Elevate your workouts with this cost-effective piece of kit

Exercise sliders (a.k.a. gliders) are the preferred piece of kit for a lot of PTs, including the woman who has worked with both Miranda Kerr and Karlie Kloss, Megan Roup. She swears by slider exercises for helping her clients perfect their form, engage their muscles and kick bodyweight exercises up a notch, and she's not the only one. WH Fitness Editor Bridie Wilkins also loves a slider workout so, whether you're familiar or not, here's everything you need to know.

No, we’re not talking poolside footwear. ‘Exercise sliders are sliding, plate-sized discs for your hands or feet that turn your gym or home floor into an unstable surface,’ says Ashley Verma, barre fitness expert and founder of Define London. Sold in pairs, usually one side is grippy while the other is slippy, or may feature small wheels. They’re usually circular, but you can find other shapes like hexagons or ovals, and some can glide across both soft and hard floors.

Not sure what they could do for you? Read up on the benefits of exercise sliders in our guide to the best slider exercises.

You can incorporate sliders into pretty much any bodyweight exercise. Verma suggests starting out with lunges and lateral lunges, with your feet on gliders, then graduating to mountain climbers, or push-ups with your hands on gliders. You can also add ankle weights or a pair of dumbbells into the equation to amp up the intensity.

‘Don’t be afraid to move slowly,’ says Verma. ‘As with any training, it takes time to build confidence and correct form with something new. Breathe into it and take your time, as form is key to gain the best results.’

For such a simple piece of kit, exercise sliders come in a surprising number of varieties. Here’s what to consider when shopping:

We’ve handpicked the best exercise sliders on the market for every exercise need, available to shop now.

If you’re looking to keep costs down - and who isn’t right now - this no-nonsense set of sliders are a great option. They’re double-sided and can be used on hardwood, tiles, gym floors and carpet, but as they’re pretty thin, you’d only want to use them on truly smooth surfaces - best not tested on dodgy grouting. They come in five colours - green, black, pink, purple and yellow.

Size: 18cm diameter Material: Foam and plastic Suitable for: Hard and soft indoor surfaces

Dual sided? Check. Pretty pastel colours? Double check. Not only will these versatile sliders look at home amongst your carefully curated living room shelves, they work on hard surfaces, carpets and sweaty gym floors thanks to the two different sides. Hard plastic skates across even your most worn carpet, while the foam side glides smoothly across wood, laminate and lino - and it makes for a handy grip when you’re on softer surfaces.

Size: 18cm diameter Material: Fabric, foam and plastic Suitable for: Hard and soft indoor surfaces

Makers of our favourite bangles, (soz, actual jewellery), LA fitness brand Bala have also got in on the gliding action with these sleek sliders. The hallmark millennial aesthetic makes way for a pair of light and effective dual-sided sliders - use the plastic side on carpet, then flip over to the dense foam side when you’re on harder surfaces. We tested them on wood flooring and were impressed with how smoothly they moved - but noted they wouldn’t survive rough surfaces or outdoors. They also come with a handy mesh case, so they’re easy to keep together.

Size: 18cm diameter Material: Foam and plastic Suitable for: Hard and soft indoor surfaces

Easily the best thing about these hexagon-shaped sliders is that they snap together to form one large slider, so you can mix up your training. They’re thicker than a lot of other sliders so super comfortable, with large studded grips to stop you being thwarted by your sweat - and trust us, you’ll get a sweat on. The hexagonal shape supposedly aids movement, but we’re more impressed with their durability - they’re suitable for use on tiles, courts, polished concrete, hardwood and ceramic floors, carpets and turf, and some reviewers have even used them outdoors.

Size: 19cm width Material: Foam and plastic Suitable for: Hard and soft surfaces

Scandi style fans and sustainability warriors, rejoice - this pair of bamboo sliders from Swedish brand Casall were made for you. They’re made from bamboo and natural rice husk - giving them a bit of welcome flex - and wouldn’t look out of place in a fancy design hotel. Plus they won’t scratch your floors. What’s not to love?

Size: 18cm diameter Material: Brushed polyester and eco-friendly foam Suitable for: Hard floors

You know that tremble that sets in after a few too many leg raises? That’s what these feel like, only instantly. The triangular slider is lifted up on three large ball bearings that roll around 360° for a much higher level of instability. Unlike other sliders, where you can push into the ground, with these you’re just skating around on top - it feels a bit spider-in-the-bath (on roller skates). As they’re raised they’re easy to grip around the edges, they work on a range of hard surfaces, including rubber, and come with a workout guide and case.

Size: 21cm Material: Rubber Suitable for: Any hard surface

These oval sliders have a longer surface area than their circular counterparts, so you can plant hands and feet more securely - and they’re great for long-fingered folk. The thick foam padding on top increases the instability while offering good grip, plus they come with a handy carry bag and exercise sheet. They are only one-sided, so best used on carpet or turf, but can also be used on lino and tiles - just not hardwood flooring.

Size: 25cm length Material: Foam and plastic Suitable for: Carpet, turf, lino and tiles