The 5 Best Pieces of At Home Workout Equipment: Get In Shape At Home

Whether we like it or not, working out at home has quickly become a necessity.  Not only is it pretty much our only option for traditional training (other than walking, running, biking etc.), but it is just as important now as it was before COVID-19.  

Whatever your individual goal maybe, routine exercise helps you:

1. Manage stress levels
2. Have a sense of routine
3. Stay healthy
4. Improve your mental health and mood
5. Improve your sleep

At the gym, there are plenty of options for progressing your workouts (that is, making them more challenging so you actually see changes), but at home, that can be a little more challenging.  But that doesn’t mean it can’t be done, it just requires different training.  

We all most likely know that workouts should get harder as you adapt to them.  This is called progressive overload, and most commonly it’s done by adding weights.  But did you know there are lots of other ways to increase difficulty and end up with the same results?  Here’s a helpful guide to making progress while working out at home.

If you’re new to the at home exercise world, or are being forced into it by this pandemic, then let this be a guide to your best options for creating a suitable home gym to continue making progress.

 

Here are our 5 top picks for pieces of at home exercise equipment:

#1) The Kettlebell

As far as a versatile piece of equipment that will allow you to train your full body in a number of ways (strength, hypertrophy, endurance, aerobic capacity aka cardio), you won’t find much better than a kettlebell.  They require a strong attention to detail, especially with the explosive movements, but can be scaled for anyone to learn them. This is a really great piece of equipment for any fitness enthusiast to own.

The Titan Adjustable Kettlebell is a great, versatile option for at home exercise equipment.

 

#2) Resistance Band

There’s so much you can do with a resistance band if you’re creative enough, or have the right coach ;).  Bands can also provide what’s called accommodating resistance which is a fancy way of saying that the resistance (difficulty) increases at your stronger points of each movement.  This means they’re really friendly on your joints and they can challenge you adequately without the use of weights. 

Wodfitter Resistance Bands are a great option: 

 

P.S. You could order the whole setup for more options, but if you’re going with only one band, we’d recommend the #1 Red, or the #2 Black.

 

#3) Pull Up Bar/Suspension Trainer

Pull Up Bar 

Training your entire body can become a challenge with at home workouts.  Without access to things like lat machines, dumbbells, and row machines, you might have a hard time training the muscles of your back.  A pull up bar is a great way to continue being able to train your back while at home. You can set this one up in a door jam and do arguably the most effective back exercise there is; the pull up.

This is a good pull-up bar option 

 

Suspension Trainer

The suspension trainer system is probably the best way to modify pulling (back) movements if you can’t do pull ups.  They can easily attach in a doorway and allow you a large variety of movements and progression with such a simple set up!  You can also mimic a TRX set up with a couple tie down straps and some creativity!

Lifeline Jungle Gym XT Suspension Trainer

 

#4) Dumbbells

While most likely the most expensive item on the list, a good set of adjustable dumbbells can go a long way at home in terms of scalability, progress, and variety of movements. 

Great option for an adjustable dumbbell:

Adjustable dumbbells

 

While most likely the most expensive item on the list, a good set of adjustable dumbbells can go a long way at home in terms of scalability, progress, and variety of movements.  However, for someone looking for a more cost-effective solution, simply buying a pair of dumbbells at a moderate weight can be just as useful.

Solid option for a set weight dumbbell:

Cap Rubber Hex Head Dumbbells

 

#5) Jump Rope 

As far as training cardio goes, running isn’t everyone’s favorite and finding a row machine, elliptical, or stationary/assault bike in someone’s home isn’t very likely.  But a jump rope, however, that’s a different case! A jump rope, though maybe boring from first sight, offers a wide variety of options and ways to increase difficulty, progress, and have some fun.  There is way more technique than people may realize too, but getting started is very simple!

Here’s a great quality jump rope: Rush Jump Rope

 

And if you’re interested in getting started with the equipment (or lack thereof) you DO have, feel free to visit our Virtual Training Services page and schedule a consult!