{"id":2390,"date":"2025-01-29T21:52:41","date_gmt":"2025-01-29T21:52:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/movewithnicole.com.au\/blog\/top-equipment-picks-for-your-home-gym.html"},"modified":"2025-01-29T21:52:41","modified_gmt":"2025-01-29T21:52:41","slug":"top-equipment-picks-for-your-home-gym","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ozhelp.org.au\/blog\/health\/top-equipment-picks-for-your-home-gym.html","title":{"rendered":"Top Equipment Picks for Your Home Gym"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thinking of putting together a home gym? For a lot less than the cost of an annual gym membership, you can stock up on all the essential home exercise equipment you need to get seriously fit, and it\u2019ll last for years to come.<\/p>\n

And it\u2019s hard to beat the convenience of a home workout. If \u201cgoing to the gym\u201d requires a 10-second stroll to your living room rather than a 10-minute drive across town, you\u2019re more likely to get your workout in today \u2014 and to reach your fitness goals down the road.<\/p>\n

The good news: When you\u2019re setting up a workout space at home, you don\u2019t need to go overboard.<\/p>\n

In fact, you can reach a high level of fitness with\u00a0no equipment at all.<\/p>\n

But if you\u2019re looking to take your workout to the next level, here\u2019s some of the best home workout equipment to invest in \u2014 starting with the basics and working your way up.<\/p>\n

1. Exercise Mat<\/h2>\n

As home exercise equipment goes, this is the minimal-est of the minimalist approach. An\u00a0exercise mat\u00a0protects your hands, wrists, knees, and back when you perform sit-ups, planks, pushups, yoga stretches, and other floor-based moves.<\/p>\n

Choose a well-made mat that\u2019s at least two feet by five feet in size, with more cushioning than a traditional yoga mat.<\/p>\n

2. Light Dumbbells<\/h2>\n

Light dumbbells are indispensable for upper-body moves like rows, presses, curls, lateral raises, and triceps extensions, and can also add resistance to lower-body moves like lunges, squats, and deadlifts.<\/p>\n

Depending on your fitness level, a set of 5-pound, 10-pound, or 15-pound weights is a good place to start.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

3. Resistance Loops and Bands<\/h2>\n

Resistance loops\u00a0and bands add difficulty to pulling movements like rows and face pulls.<\/p>\n

They allow you to perform more movements for your arms and shoulders, including pushdowns, curl variations, and chest flys.<\/p>\n

And they can add variety to stretching, warm-up, and rehab routines.<\/p>\n

Get a few of the long variety that look like giant rubber bands, and a few of the shorter type that you can loop around your knees or wrists.<\/p>\n

Not sure how to use them?<\/p>\n

Check out 645 with Amoila Cesar or 9 Week Control Freak with Autumn Calabrese to learn how to use them and how they can boost your results.<\/p>\n

4. Suspension Trainer<\/h2>\n

A suspension trainer is the biggest-ticket item on this list, but opens up a wealth of new exercises for the abdominals, arms, back, chest, and legs.<\/p>\n

That includes ring dips, ring pushups, bodyweight rows, rollouts, and overhead triceps extensions \u2014 all of which you can scale to match your fitness level.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re feeling thrifty, you can make a DIY version: \u201cTwo dog leashes can work just as well,\u201d Kobrinsky says.<\/p>\n

\"Woman<\/p>\n

5. Heavier Dumbbells<\/h2>\n

Ready to step up your weights? Choose a dumbbell that you can press overhead 20 times at most \u2014 15 to 30 pounds typically works well for most beginners.<\/p>\n

Or step up to an adjustable set. Slick, one-piece adjustable dumbbells will set you back a few hundred bucks, but you can also find cheaper plate-and-collar style dumbbells that can be loaded up with 100 pounds or more.<\/p>\n

6. Chin-Up Bar<\/h2>\n

Easily mountable in a doorway, a\u00a0chin-up bar\u00a0is one piece of home exercise equipment that\u2019ll never stop challenging you.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s only good for a couple of moves, but they\u2019re the gold standard of back and grip-building exercises.<\/p>\n

7. Kettlebells<\/h2>\n

Kettlebells may be less versatile than dumbbells, but they\u2019re fun to play with and great for swings, cleans, presses, get-ups, and a number of other fun, dynamic moves.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re curious, grab one or two, erring on the heavier side.<\/p>\n

8. Bench<\/h2>\n

If you want to get your bench press up, you\u2019ll need a sturdy bench. This versatile piece of home gym equipment is also useful for step-ups and split-squat variations.<\/p>\n

\"Woman<\/p>\n

9. Jump Rope<\/h2>\n

Need to shake up your cardio workouts? In lieu of expensive cardio machines, pick up an inexpensive plastic or cable jump rope.<\/p>\n

Jumping rope\u00a0is a great way to burn calories and boost endurance.<\/p>\n

Try #mbf Muscle Burns Fat with Megan Davies to get the most out of your rope.<\/p>\n

10. Foam Roller<\/h2>\n

Take care of your sore muscles with this simple, inexpensive\u00a0piece of gear\u00a0\u2014 it\u2019s the least expensive massage you\u2019ll ever get!<\/p>\n

11. Functional Training Gear<\/h2>\n

\u201cUnconventional training helps keep things fun,\u201d Kobrinsky says. You can\u2019t\u00a0only\u00a0do pushups, after all.<\/p>\n

Try an Airex Pad or Bosu Ball to improve balance, or build upper-body strength and power with a Steel Club or battle ropes.<\/p>\n

\"Woman<\/p>\n

12. Strength Training Equipment<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re pursuing serious strength and muscle, and you\u2019re ready to dedicate space and money to working out, look into weight lifting gear that\u2019ll help you push your limits:<\/p>\n