I know that for most people, their top goal is to “get healthy” or “get in shape”, so I wanted to help you do those things more conveniently right at your own home by making a list of the BEST equipment and essentials you can purchase to make your own home gym. I don’t know about you, but I love working out at home. I also love that in the freezing winter, I don’t have to leave my warm, cozy home. All the equipment on this list is perfect for home gyms, and for those of you who like working out outside, or if you travel a lot, many of the things on the list are extremely portable. I have each of these pieces of equipment and I can say that they are some of the best and most versatile pieces of equipment you could own in your home. If you invest in a few good pieces of equipment, you may be able to skip out on a monthly gym membership and save yourself some money in the long run.
Foam Roller – Foam rollers are essential for maintaining healthy AND happy muscles when you start an exercise routine. Once you get used to how foam rollers feel, you will LOVE that you have your very own masseuse. These foam rollers are the BEST , and they really dig in deep to tight muscles. Breaking up knots in the muscles, they allow you to move properly and reach your full range of motion while exercising, allowing for increase strength and mobility.
Dumbbells – This is kind of a no brainer, but I wanted to add it to the list anyway, because dumbbells are some of the most versatile pieces of equipment you can get. If nothing else, I would recommend a few different sizes of dumbbells for your home gym.
Kettlebells – If you’ve never worked out with a kettlebell before, you are missing out! Kettlebells are amazing to combine strength AND cardio workouts together for an effective and quick workout that will burn a TON of calories. They are one of my favorite ways to get a fantastic HIIT workout in and make me feel bikini ready. I would recommend starting out with a 12-18 pound kettlebell, and then building up your strength from there. Here are some of the ones I use and find work the best.
BOSU Trainer – BOSU Balance Trainers are another favorite of mine. They are so great for increasing your balance, but they are amazing for cardio workouts. I love these ones, they even have different color options if you have a preference. BOSU Balance Trainers combine all of the elements of fitness cardiovascular toning and flexibility into unique and highly effective combinations. Challenging and fun, the BOSU Balance Trainers give a whole new meaning to "moving with control" as you work out on an unstable, dynamic surface. Here are my TOP picks that come as complete sets.
Yoga Mat - These are a must have and below are the ONLY yoga mats I have ever tried that are truly “nonslip”. Plus, these mats under your toes feels incredibly soft! If you’re serious about working out at home it’s better to invest in a good quality mat than have to replace one ever few months. These mats are both inexpensive compared to most of the more expensive mats of the same quality!
TRX Suspension Trainer – I still can’t believe it took me as long as it did to try these, now I use them everyday! TRX’s are so much fun, and they are HARD…which makes them perfect for your home gym! This is a MIST HAVE, they are the perfect for any fitness lover or beginner out there, and they are perfect for outdoor workouts too. TRX Burns Muscle, Burns Fat, Increases Endurance & Improves Flexibility. No matter the goal, TRX Suspension Training will push you to the limits and encourage results.
Jump Rope – If you’re looking for one of the best cardio workouts to do at home, invest in a jump rope. You can burn as many as 100 calories in just 10 minutes of jumping. I promise you you’ll be feeling after just 2 minutes! I recommend getting a speed rope, as it’s much smoother with each jump. Below are some top picks.
Stability Ball – Stability balls have been one of my favorite pieces of equipment since I first started teaching fitness classes 10 years ago, and that’s because not only do they make almost any exercise more challenging, but they also are one of the BEST tools out there to target your abs. The benefits are endless. Helps relax muscles, remove tension and increase tone. Increases flexibility in abdominals, thighs and lower back. Strengthens, stretches and tones all major muscle groups. Enhances coordination and balance, and improves flexibility. Tone, sculpt and chisel your shoulders, arms, thighs and abs.
Resistance Bands – Resistance bands are so versatile and the best part is that they travel well, making them perfect for not only your home, but also if you love to travel or travel frequently for work. My favorite bands are these sets, which come with a lot of extras. These literally have EVERYTHING you need for a great workout.
Pull Up Bar – This is another piece of equipment that is great to have. I LOVE my pull up bar. I swear there is no exercise better for building a beautiful back than pull ups. I use mine at least once or twice a week, and the more you practice, the more you can do! Here are two of my top choices that work great.
Treadmill - A must have even though they can be a little more pricey, but if you go for a manual one without any extra features, you can get one for fairly cheap. A treadmill is a great investment whether you go with the cheapest or most expensive since it can be very beneficial and makes for a much more convenient workout when you can just get on your own treadmill and get your cardio. Below I have listed the best top rated treadmills with different price and feature options giving you the options to choose the best one for you.
If you're looking for the best of the best with all of the extra features for a very reasonable price…. this is THE one for you! This cutting-edge treadmill is a must-have for any home gym, offering 18 different workout apps to choose from, pairing with a variable speed and adjustable incline to suit your needs from day to day. A ProShox design affords you impact-reduction, making the treadmill feel more like natural running and easier on your joints and muscles. The LCD display is iFit-enabled and easy to use. When you're done for the day, the steel frame folds up easily for storage.
Want an electric treadmill with some features, but doesn't need to be anything too fancy for good price….this one might the one for you! Maximize the efficiency of your home workouts with the ultra-mobile Sunny Health & Fitness SF-T7603 Electric Treadmill . A folding mechanism and soft-drop system allow this treadmill to be easily and safely moved and folded without hassle. A premium LDC displays time, distance, speed, and calories, and users can choose from 9 built-in programs and 3 adjustable incline levels to further track and tailor their running experience. Expertly designed with a 2.2 HP motor, this treadmill is the no-hassle option for all levels of exercise enthusiasts. Supports users up to 220 lbs.
Want something basic, but still electric for a lower price…this is it! Merax treadmill JK1604 is a stylish contemporary design that is easy-to-use, and to fold and store simply roll it out when you need it and fold it away when you're done. Monitor your time, calories, distance, speed, and heart rate on the LCD display and choose from pre-set interval training programs and manual program with easy-to-use interface. The pre-set programs alternate between high intensity and low intensity recovery periods to improve your aerobic capacity and burn calories after your workout.
If you want something very basic and you're fine with it being a simple manual treadmill to get you started… this is the best one. Wider, longer tread belt Magnetic-tension pacer control stabilizes belt speed for hands-free walking at selected settings Unlike most manual treadmills, this one starts at 8% incline Twin 6 diam. in. flywheels for a smoother, consistent workout Extra-long handles are more than 2X the standard Reinforced frame accommodates high-weight capacity Quick release for easy 3-position inclines of 8, 10, and 15 degrees.
All of the equipment listed are items I use personally and LOVE or have the best reviews from friends. This all is a MUST for any true home gym! Good luck and keep checking back for updates!