If you’re like the millions of other people who have ditched their gym memberships in favor of at home workouts, you’ll know the many benefits of training at home.
Working out in the privacy of your own home is more comfortable, more sanitary, and doesn’t require waiting your turn to use the squat rack–ever.
But if you’re new to the idea of working out at home, you might be wondering, how can I get a full-body workout without going to a gym?
Luckily, there have never been more options for at home workout equipment than now. With just a few pieces of equipment you can work every part of your body in a minimum amount of space.
At Home Workout Equipment Essentials
When you’re building your home gym, you’ll need a few essential pieces of equipment to get you started. Without the essentials, it will be difficult to do a full body home workout circuit. These essentials will help you work your muscles, burn calories, and get your heart rate pumping:
1. Yoga / Exercise Mat
If you plan on doing any kind of floor exercises, you’ll need a mat. Yoga or exercise mats (on amazon) provide a non-slip surface to perform various types of floor exercises.
Mats are necessary to protect your back, knees, and hands when working out on hard surfaces. You’ll use your mat for exercises like yoga, Pilates, abs training, stretching, and more.
If your home workout circuit consists of any of these exercises, you’ll get your money’s worth out of purchasing an exercise mat. They provide various levels of cushioning based on your preference. If you like a lot of cushion, make sure you go for a thicker mat.
2. Dumbbells
When it comes to getting a full-body workout, you’ll need equipment that’s useful for working multiple muscle groups. Weighted dumbbells provide an easy way to build muscle and train every body part.
A well-equipped home gym will ideally have multiple pairs of dumbbells in varying weights to adjust your intensity for different exercises. Dumbbells allow you to build a home workout circuit that involves training your arms, legs, back, and even abs. This dumbbell set from Amazon is perfect for beginners who are just starting their home gym.
3. Jump Rope
Getting a cardio workout at home can be difficult without a treadmill or other cardio machine. However, many cardio machines are expensive and require more space to set up. Luckily, a simple jump rope (on amazon) is all you need to get your heart pounding and the sweat pouring.
Jumping rope burns on average 10 calories per minute. It’s also great for building strength and power in your legs, especially your calves. Jumping rope requires very little space, meaning you can do it just about anywhere. It’s a great way to add a little cardio into your at home workout circuit.
4. Exercise Bands
Exercise bands are one of the most popular pieces of at home workout equipment because of their light weight, small size, and effectiveness. Exercise bands, or resistance bands, come in two different styles. The first style is the resistance loop.
These loops are most useful for lower body workouts, especially exercises that work the glutes, because they can easily be looped around the thighs. Resistance bands with handles (on amazon) are better suited for upper body exercises.
Both styles of bands come in varying levels of resistance. Incorporating resistance bands into your at home workout circuit will give your muscles that little bit of extra resistance they didn’t know they needed. Plus, they can be stored or taken with you anywhere.
5. Bosu Balance Trainer
The Bosu Balance Trainer provides the benefits of a stability ball but with a little more, well, stability. The top of the balance trainer is shaped like a stability ball, but with a flat bottom. The design makes it possible to perform multiple balance exercises by standing on the ball. It of course is also ideal for various abs exercises like crunches, side-crunches, and the Pilates 100. The Bosu Balance Trainer is easy to use and stores well under a bed or in a closet. It’s ideal for those who want to include more intense core training into their home workout circuit.
6. Stationary Bike
If cardio is your workout of choice, a stationary bike is the perfect at home workout equipment for you. Stationary cycling works your leg and core muscles and provides a heart pumping cardio workout for your whole body.
Stationary bikes come in various price ranges as well as sizes, though they typically take up less space than most cardio machines. Rain or shine, a stationary bike allows you to get an intense sweat session without the need for a cycling trail.
7. At Home Workout App
Although not technically at home workout equipment, an at home workout app is helpful for following a home workout plan. An at home workout app provides you with dozens of guided workout programs conveniently available to stream on your phone, iPad, or television.
An at home workout app is like having a personal trainer in your home. You won’t have to worry about not knowing what exercises to do at home, the app will show you. Many home workout app charge monthly subscription fees, but they are generally no more or less than a gym membership. Plus, you can stream the workouts anytime you want.
The Takeaway
Working out at home has never been easier than it is today, thanks to so many home workout equipment options. With only a few pieces of equipment you can work your entire body and burn a ton of calories at the same time.At home workout apps make exercising at home even easier and more effective by providing you with hundreds of guided workouts. Getting in shape no longer requires pricey gym memberships or tons of space. Now, you can get your heart pumping and muscles burning in the comfort of your living room