Are you tired of the same old gym routine? Want to switch things up and bring the workout to your home? Well, you’ve come to the right place…
No, not a new and exciting gym, silly, but rather, this handy guide on the best exercise equipment that’s both affordable and compact enough to fit into your home gym.
Investing in the right home exercise equipment can save you time and money, without that expensive gym membership and time-consuming trips to the local fitness centre. Having all of your gear within arm’s reach can also provide a more personalised and convenient workout experience, that’s for sure but from resistance bands to treadmills, there are lots of options to choose from and that choice can get a little overwhelming.
But don’t just settle for any equipment, do your research and invest in high-quality products that will stand the test of time and give you the desired results. The key here is to invest in items that tone, build and strengthen more than one key muscle group in one go, and with that in mind, here are 10 pieces of home exercise equipment to give your whole body a workout.
TRX Cables
TRX cables are suspension-based items of training equipment that allows you to perform exercises using your body weight as resistance. They are a great way to burn calories and lose weight. TRX exercises work for multiple muscle groups at once, increasing your metabolism and leading to more calorie burn during and after your workout.
A little different to resistance bands, which provide tension through the band itself, suspension training using TRX cables promotes functional strength and can help improve your balance, coordination, and core stability.
In terms of being good home gym equipment, TRX cables are a great option because they are lightweight, portable, and easy to set up. You can hang them from a door frame, a tree, or a pull-up bar, which you can use in different locations in your home.
Additionally, TRX cables come with many exercise options; you can do cardio, strength training, and flexibility, all with one piece of equipment.
A Punch Bag
Investing in a punch bag as a piece of home exercise equipment can be another fast route to a multi-muscle workout for several reasons. It is a great way to improve cardiovascular fitness and burn calories, as it requires a lot of energy to strike the bag repeatedly.
Additionally, it is a high-intensity, full-body workout that can help to improve strength, endurance, and power. A punch bag can also be a great stress reliever, helping the uer release pent-up aggression and frustration, making it a good option for those looking to improve their mental well-being.
Punch bags are relatively inexpensive and take up minimal space, making them a great option for those looking to create a home gym on a budget.
Kettlebells
If you’re looking to find the right gym equipment in terms of something that’s both space-saving but all-encompassing, then kettlebells might well be your thing. These are cast-iron weights resembling a cannonball with a handle, perfect for dynamic, full-body workouts. Unlike traditional dumbbells, the kettlebell’s centre of mass extends beyond your hand, creating more challenging movements that engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously. They’re brilliant for building functional strength, improving cardiovascular fitness and increasing flexibility.
Ideal for exercises like swings, Turkish get-ups and goblet squats, kettlebells provide an efficient workout in minimal time. Their compact size makes them easy to store, whilst their durability ensures they’ll be a long-lasting addition to your home gym. Consider investing in two or three kettlebells of varying weights to accommodate different exercises and progression levels.
A Lightweight Treadmill
A treadmill should be at the top of your list if you’re looking for a reliable and effective piece of home workout equipment. Treadmills are a fantastic way to improve cardiovascular fitness, burn calories and boost weight loss all while being in the comfort of your own home.
Using a treadmill is straightforward, you simply need to adjust the speed, incline, and duration of your workout to suit your fitness level and goals. You can start with a slow walk and gradually increase the intensity as you build up your stamina.
A treadmill is also a great option for those looking to mix up their routine. You can change your workout’s speed, incline, and duration, add intervals, high-intensity sprints, or even walk or run on an incline to target different muscle groups.
Investing in a treadmill for your home gym is a wise decision for anyone looking to improve their overall fitness, manage weight, and achieve their health goals.
With a treadmill, you’ll be able to get in a great workout whenever you want and never have to worry about the weather or if the gym is too crowded.
Affordable, acclaimed treadmills for home gyms include the Nordic Track EXP 14i and the Weslo Cadence G 5.9i Folding Treadmill.
An Exercise Bike
A stationary bike is an excellent piece of home exercise equipment and can be a great investment for anyone looking to improve their fitness and overall health.
One of the main advantages of having an exercise bike at home is the convenience it offers. You can use it at any time, fitting your workout into your schedule, and even use it to commute to work or run errands, increasing your daily physical activity.
Exercise bikes represent a low-impact form of exercise, putting less stress on your joints than activities such as running, making it a great option for people who have joint pain or injuries.
Additionally, they offer a great versatility, allowing you to do a wide range of activities such as leisurely rides, interval training, and hill climbs, allowing you to vary your workouts and target different areas of fitness.
Lastly, exercise bikes are inexpensive and require minimal maintenance, making them a cost-effective option for a home gym. To use a bike as a piece of home equipment, you can set it up in a comfortable and safe location, adjust the seat and handlebars to fit your body, and start pedalling.
As you feel comfortable, you can increase the intensity and use a bike trainer to convert your bike into a stationary bike or use indoor cycling apps for a more interactive workout experience.
A Smart Trainer
For a similar workout but with added motivation, a smart trainer is an indoor bike trainer that allows you to connect your bicycle to a computer or mobile device, train and ride in virtual environments, or follow pre-set workout plans.
To use a smart trainer, you’ll need to first connect it to your computer or mobile device via Bluetooth or ANT+ technology and then pair it with a training app or software such as Zwift, TrainerRoad, or The Sufferfest.
You can select a virtual course or workout plan from there and start riding. A smart trainer can be a great investment for home equipment because it allows you to get a high-quality indoor cycling workout, regardless of the weather or time of day.
It also offers a variety of workout options, including virtual rides, races, and training plans, which makes it more engaging and fun than traditional indoor cycling.
Additionally, smart trainers can provide accurate and detailed data on your performance, which can help you track your progress and adjust your training.
Adjustable Free Weights
If you’re looking for a versatile and effective piece of home workout equipment, adjustable free weights are an excellent choice.
These weights allow you to adjust the weight to suit your fitness level and can be used for exercises to target different muscle groups. They are a great option for those looking to build strength, tone their muscles and burn calories.
Adjustable free weights are incredibly easy to use; you can add or remove weight plates to change the weight of the dumbbells. And you can use them for exercises such as bicep curls, shoulder presses, tricep extensions, rows, lunges, and deadlifts.
This means you can work on your upper body, lower body, and core, all with one piece of equipment. Adjustable free weights are a great investment for anyone looking to improve their fitness and build strength from the comfort of their own home.
With adjustable free weights, the possibilities are endless, and the results will be undeniable. So, ladies, don’t wait any longer; invest in some adjustable free weights today and get ready to see the results for yourself!
Medicine Ball
A medicine ball is a weighted sphere that provides versatile resistance training for your whole body. The weighted ball allows you to perform explosive movements like throws and slams that engage your core, upper and lower body simultaneously. They’re particularly effective for rotational exercises that mimic everyday movements and sports-specific actions.
Medicine balls come in various weights, typically 1-10kg, making them suitable for all fitness levels. Their compact size requires minimal storage space, whilst their simple design makes them accessible for beginners. Use a medicine ball for Russian twists, wall throws or squat-to-presses to add variety and intensity to your home workout routine.
Pull-Up Bar
A door-mounted pull-up bar offers an exceptional upper body workout with minimal investment and space requirements. It targets your back, arms and core, helping to improve posture and upper body strength. Unlike many other pieces of equipment, a pull-up bar allows you to work against your entire body weight, making it highly effective for building functional strength.
Most models can be easily installed in standard doorframes without permanent fixtures, and many offer multiple grip positions to target different muscle groups. Beyond traditional pull-ups, you can use it for hanging leg raises, knee tucks and assisted bodyweight rows. For beginners, resistance bands can be attached to provide assistance until full pull-ups are achievable.
BOSU Ball
Are you looking to take your workout routine to the next level? Look no further than the BOSU ball! This incredible fitness equipment perfectly combines a stability ball and a flat platform, making it a versatile and effective tool for improving balance, coordination, core strength, and stability.
The possibilities are endless regarding exercises you can do with a BOSU ball. From lunges, push-ups, planks, and squats to adding an extra challenge to traditional exercises by performing them on the unstable surface of this ubiquitous, UFO-like piece of kit.
Investing in a BOSU ball for your home gym is an investment in yourself and your fitness journey. Not only is it versatile and can be used for a wide range of exercises, but it’s also easy to use and compact, making it easy to store and transport.
If you’re ready to take your workout routine to the next level and see real results, then a BOSU ball is a must-have for your home gym!
The Bottom Line
When choosing which equipment to invest in, it’s important to consider your personal fitness goals, budget, and the amount of space you have available.
With the right equipment and a consistent workout routine, you can achieve your fitness goals and improve your overall health and well-being from the comfort of your own home.
