7 Must Haves Gym Equipment You Need for Home Workouts
Written by Laura Anderson
Exercise is a crucial component of our health journeys and can help reduce feelings of stress, risk of chronic diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers, and help maintain weight loss. That being said, it can be hard to prioritize exercise and going to the gym in our day-to-day busy lives. Having the tools you need to exercise at home may help you reach your exercise and step goals. It may also give you the freedom to workout anytime you want, include your family, and avoid extra travel time. With that in mind, we rounded up some basic equipment that can be useful when beginning to workout from home. If you plan to do a specific workout program, it may be useful to check if they utilize any other specialized products.
Mats can provide cushioning and support for your hips, tailbone, knees, and spine. When choosing a mat, there are several things to consider.
Size: Examine the size of your workout area and consider what you’ll be using the mat for. Do you need something that folds up easily for storage?
Material: If you will be doing rapid movements on the mat, consider an option that is non-slip like rubber. If you are mainly using the mat for stretching or floor exercises that aspect may not be critical. PVC mats tend to be very durable and easy to clean, but may not be the best option if you sweat a lot. Heavy sweaters may prefer a rubber or jute mat.
Thickness: Most mats are between 0.25 and 1.0 inch. If your floor is carpeted, you could be happy with a thinner mat. Some people may find it more difficult to balance on thicker mats, which might be a concern for activities like yoga.
Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and comfort.
A great addition to any home gym, resistance bands often come in packs with varying tension levels. They are versatile, lightweight, portable, and can add variety to your workouts. We recommend long ones that you can use straight or tied in a loop.
These are small, thin, and portable. They can provide a low-impact workout but still engage full-body muscles. They allow the limbs to move in a variety of directions while maintaining floor contact. As an alternative, you could try socks or paper plates, but they may not work as well depending on your surface.
A mainstay of home exercise equipment, dumbbells are great for strength training. Purchasing multiple weights is ideal. Try to have at least a set of light weights, moderate weights, and heavy weights. The weight is up to you, but beginners may do best with a set of 3 lb, 5 lb, and 8 lb. You can buy more as you build muscle or start off with a value pack.
Great for abdominal work and to provide support for your core and spine. Most balls are inflatable which allows you to increase the firmness as you progress, providing an extra challenge.
This tool strengthens your legs, activates core and lower back muscles, and can be used for cardio. It is also easy to slow down or speed up the pace and adjust any weights you use. If you are a beginner, start with a lower height around 6-8 inches. You could use an aerobic step or even use a shoe box filled with books. Over time, you can work up to the point that your knee bends at a 90-degree angle, and you can comfortably step up without having to jut your hips back or rely on the leg still on the ground. Note that these boxes can get a bit expensive. As an alternative, you can use a chair or bench. Just make sure that whatever you use, it is stable and you feel safe and comfortable standing up on it.
Generally smaller and cheaper than treadmills, these machines are great for increasing your step count and staying active throughout the day. They are meant to be moved on a daily basis and many fold up for easier storage. Users often set these up underneath desks and walk during meetings or while working at a standup desk. Some things to keep in mind:
Make sure it will fit your lifestyle. These devices are usually only intended for walking. Many have a top speed of 3.75 miles per hour.
Pay attention to the length. Smaller models may be less comfortable for people with long legs and longer strides. Also consider the size of your storage space.
Many of these products are relatively new and therefore we don’t have a clear picture of long-term durability.
Consider if you need more stability. Some products come with a bar and others do not.