Owning these essential tools for a home workout will keep you remarkably fit without the gym—great news for everyone. In fact, I’ve always been jealous of people who stay fit within the comfort of their homes. Imagine that all it takes you to exercise is a stroll to the basement. That’s the whole gym to yourself. There are about a million possibilities.
To begin with, you aren’t worrying about who will hear you grunt or see you tire; the thermostat works at your preferred temperature and—my favorite part—the stereo system is blasting your playlist as you exercise. I haven’t even mentioned that you can completely absorb yourself in meditation and transcend a superior realm of existence.
Sadly—or maybe not—most of us can’t build our fitness meccas at home either due to insufficient spaces or cash. However, this doesn’t stop a thing. I’ve recently hacked my way to a makeshift yet impressively effective gym right in my little apartment. How so?
Well, I’ve collected some essential gym equipment over the past few years, and although this doesn’t strike out how cool treadmills (and all that) are, I love my little gym. If it interests you, my balcony is my fitness mecca. Thankfully, for me, I live close to the beach, and so I can watch the beautiful blue sea right from my gym.
Of course, you all who live in crowded cities can’t be so lucky, but it may not matter. Your gym could be the space between your sofa and the bar cart. But if you insist on the balcony, well, treat yourself to the constant noises and exhaust fumes the big city had to offer.
What Are The Essential Tools For A Home Workout?
This list of essentials may not be exotic or something, but it promises much more than it looks. I do my runs, abs exercises, and a cool range of strength-training workouts. That’s remarkable for such minimal space and equipment.
Well, here we go…
Resistance Bands
Resistance bands top my list because they are highly versatile—talk about a man for all seasons. They are highly effective for all parts of the body as they do well to clone the movements of several sophisticated machines. I’d suggest a pack including bands for varying degrees of resistance, so you can use lighter or heavier ones, depending on your workout schedule.
For example, I usually exercise the lower body with the heavy bands while I work the arms with light or medium bands. And I should mention that resistance bands are especially great for exercising the butts and hip.
You can get a set of good resistance bands for as low as $12 online and maybe lower in physical stores.
Jump Ropes
Most gym users disassociate with jump ropes primarily because the image of a pinky little girl skipping comes to mind as soon as it is mentioned. Ironically, skipping can be a much more effective exercise than running. A jump rope is excellent for cardiovascular exercises. Using one speeds up the heart rate and works other body parts like the arms, legs, and core.
Jumping ropes may not be ideal if your ceiling is low or your downstairs neighbor is a grumpy fellow. It is, however, incredibly useful if you have a chance to use it regularly. Jump ropes are available for just $10 online.
Mini Foam Roller
I bet you’ve used a foam roller several times in a standard gym, but did you know it comes in a mini version as well? A foam roller is great for recovery and mobility, and its mini version is even more flexible. It can, however, be tricky to balance on—I’d suggest that you see it as a Bosu and not a mattress. A Bosu is used to make an unstable surface during exercises to involve and evolve the core. Imagine how tricky it’d be to lie on the top half of a yoga ball.
A great way to use your mini roller foam is as a placing pad for your hands during push-ups. This effectively challenges the core and aids balance. You would need two of this to get the job done, though. That’d be about $40-45 as a single roller foam costs just $22 on Amazon.
Heavy Kettlebell
This is a tool you don’t want to be without. A heavy kettlebell is also widely versatile—like resistance bands. If you want heavier weights on your thrusters and swings, I think a heavy kettlebell is your best bet for your home workout.
A heavy kettlebell is quite useful in several areas. Some exercises, such as deadlifts, squats, and overhead presses, would be more productive with heavyweights. You can buy your heavy kettlebell for less than $33.
Yoga Mat
You can’t do without this—especially if your floor is mahogany. Even if you have a rug, you may prefer a plush surface (in this case, a yoga mat) as it is quite convenient. A yoga mat is essential in any exercise that involves you on your back or chest. You can always get one that fits your home décor if you intend to leave it permanently out. I always go for one I can roll up for storage purposes.
You can purchase a premium yoga mat for just $30 online. Note, though, that you may be uncomfortable with a yoga mat if you sweat much.
Heavy and Light Dumbbells
Heavy dumbbells perform similar functions to a heavy kettlebell. It often depends on your preference, therefore. A pair of light dumbbells comes handy if you want some additional weight during exercises. For example, you may want a 3-pound weight between your knees during donkey kicks. Also, activities that involve the chest require very lightweight—except you’re literally from Krypton. A light dumbbell is excellent for building muscular endurance.
Bottom Line On Essential Tools For A Home Workout
These essential tools for a home workout may not eliminate the need for an advanced gym. They are, however, quite useful and even offer some advantages. With this equipment, you don’t have to worry about disturbances or monthly gym subscriptions. What else, your playlist is blasting through the speakers as you push up. It doesn’t get any better—except your balcony is overlooking the beach as well.
