For people accustomed to heading to the gym for a workout, this pandemic threw quite the monkey wrench in your routine. In order to maintain some sort of consistency, many turned to the internet for workouts they could do at home. Others tried to get workout equipment in their homes as fast as they could and found that a lot of items were already sold out. What home workout equipment could you keep in your home when you can’t or won’t leave home for a sweat session?

Working Out at Home vs Gym

Everyone’s workout vibe is different. Some people thrive off the energy the gym environment gives. Others would prefer the non-commital, low-pressure environment of working out at home. I lie somewhere in the middle. I love going to the gym but after getting married that routine was lost. Alas, even after I purchased a membership at a local gym, I didn’t go enough to make the cost make any sort of sense. So instead I subscribed to DailyBurn (referral link).

The cost of entry is pretty low, $14.95/month or $129.95/year (which works out to be about $10.83/month). Also, I can work out whenever depending on my mood. There was a period of time in my life when waking up to work out before my 12-hour nursing shifts was part of my routine. Over time though, I found that getting out of bed became harder. As a result, I would work out after work or on my days off instead. DailyBurn has a workout class you can follow every day. So you don’t have the opportunity to get bored if that’s your issue. You can also follow a workout program that’s in tune with your goals. Some of my favorites are “Live to Fail” (strength) and “Black Fire” (cardio). Again, variety. There are workout programs for beginners, barre, Pilates, etc.

I truly enjoy using this app but you can also find free workouts on Youtube. Create a playlist of your favorites to create variety. Just start moving.

The Benefits of Working Out at Home or the Gym

In general, working out leads to a better quality of life. People who are more sedentary and don’t move much do not age well most of the time. They may also have unnecessary aches and pains. When I see patients in the hospital who are in their 70s and 80s and they say it’s the first time they’ve been sick, I find that most of them have some form of exercise routine. Also, working out is great for stress. Who isn’t stressed in 2020? Home workouts have become very useful to people when gyms are closed or for those just uncomfortable heading to the gym. Home workout equipment can help you get a taste of the gym without leaving your living room.

Do You Need Workout Equipment?

The easy answer is no. There are tons of workouts you can do with no equipment. Dance, yoga, kickboxing, and bodyweight exercises can provide all the strength and cardio you need for a lifetime. However, if you’re looking to make progressions and break plateaus, eventually equipment will be needed.

Building a Simple but Effective Home Gym

Over the years, I have added to the collection a little at a time. I started with 5 lb dumbbells and now have up to 20 lb dumbbells. As I grew stronger and wanted more of a challenge, the greater the collection got. However, I live in an apartment so moderation is also key. On this journey, I bought some things that proved to be unnecessary. We’ll make that a separate post. This one will focus on the things I found most useful. I’ll add Amazon links to the items I own below.

Exercise or Yoga Mat

While this is not the first item one thinks of when starting a home gym, it’s essential to have. I find that the mat is most useful for keeping my sweat off my carpet, especially when doing core exercises. It also provides a cushion for your knees and keeps carpet fur off you. If your workout area has no carpet, having a mat is even more crucial to protecting your joints during certain workouts. Getting one that is resistant to tearing means it’ll last longer, and you won’t find pieces of it everywhere.

DISCLOSURE: THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I GET A COMMISSION IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A PURCHASE THROUGH MY LINKS, AT NO COST TO YOU.

Dumbbells

This is likely the first item one looks for when starting a home gym. When shopping for dumbbells, here are a few suggestions.

1. Getting one with a vinyl cover on it makes it extremely comfortable to use and has an appealing glossy look. However, this cover can get damaged which creates an instant ugly. Neoprene-covered ones are sturdier but have a matte look.
2. I would forgo the industrial enamel-coated ones. I find little chips of the coating lying around from time to time. Rather, I would recommend getting weights with neoprene covers on the ends. It looks great and no mess.
3. Unless the dumbbell is really light, having a dumbbell with hexagon-shaped ends is important. This is so that when you rest your weights between reps, it doesn’t roll away from where you set them down. That would be a safety risk.

Getting dumbbells right now takes a little more work than it did pre-pandemic. A lot of places are completely sold out with expected restock dates in a month or so. Checking out your local Walmart, Target, or your local sporting goods store is worth a try. In the meantime, use what you have at home for weights. Cans and gallons can replace light weights.

Aerobic Step

No, the step did not leave with Denise Austin and Richard Simmons. They are still relevant to your workout today. You can use them for squat jumps, elevated pushups, up and overs, and much more. Getting one with a riser will allow for a more challenging workout as you get stronger. This piece of home workout equipment is also easy to tuck away when needed. Just be safe and pay attention when using it. I don’t want you to fall.

Weighted gloves

Great for kickboxing or any other cardio workout really. They come in at about 1 lb each hand. You can technically do these same workouts with really light weights but gloves allow for more dexterity and use of your fingers. They are also less conspicuous so if you take them on a walk or run, no one is the wiser.

Medicine or Weighted Ball

If you’re shopping now for home workout equipment, then let me tell you. These are much easier to find and are great for conditioning. You can also use them in partner workouts. They are soft so you don’t ever have to worry about them scratching your walls or furniture. They are available in a variety of sizes. I have 5 lb and 8 lb balls.

Dumbbell Rack

Once I started to amass more home workout equipment, I found that I had to organize my space. The rack that I got wasn’t too hard to put together and it looks almost as good to me now as it did when I bought it in 2017. I try to be nice to it but I’m guilty of throwing my dumbbells on after a tough workout. I try not to keep more items than my space allows so now that the rack is full, the only way I’d buy heavier weights is if I got rid of one of the existing ones.

Miscellaneous

Other items in my possession:

• Ankle weights: my cousin gave them to me because she wasn’t using them. I use them sometimes on neighborhood walks to make it a smidge tougher on me.
• Jump rope: you can technically jump rope without any rope at all and just go through the motions. Like I said though, on this journey, I came to acquire a lot of different home workout equipment. Jumping rope is amazing cardio and deceivingly tough.
• Kettlebell: can be used in the place of dumbbells for most workouts. You can put it in a bookbag and take it on a walk to make it more challenging. The shape also makes it super easy to carry. Look up kettlebell workouts if you want to find unique ways to use them.
• Exercise ball: This is an air-filled ball that you can use to intensify your core workouts a LOT!
• Waist trimmer: this comes with a loaded name. Using this will not give you a tiny waist. However, it heats you up faster so you sweat more. You will likely burn more calories as a result but I can’t tell you how much of a difference it will truly make.
• Stretch and comfort equipment: foam roller is great, especially for large muscle aches. One of my knees acts up sometimes so I have a brace for when that’s an issue. Just an FYI, don’t just brace up something that hurts. First, check that you’re using the proper form when exercising. If you are and you’re still feeling pain, talk to your doctor. If you can afford to do so, preferably see a physiatrist (doctor of physical medicine). My knee is an old issue so I am comfortable bracing it a few times a year when it hurts.
• Resistance bands: I haven’t used them. I actually just realized I even had them just a few months ago. The one I have, I either have to learn how to use or they aren’t right for me, as they twist when I try to use them to make squats more challenging. If you have tips or reccs, share them below.
• Sneakers: the proper footwear is essential to your safety in every activity so choose wisely.

When workout out from home, the right home workout equipment can motivate you. If you don’t have any of the items discussed, it’s ok. Start working out and building a routine without them. If you want to make it a little more challenging, get one piece of equipment at a time that complements the workouts you’re already doing. A mat and a pair of dumbbells are a good start. This will help you to avoid wasting money on items you will never use.

If your friends/family have workout equipment they are not using, then you can possibly get these items for free. And even if you wind up not using something, don’t just let it pile up as clutter in your home. List it for sale, give it to a friend who wants it, or donate it.

Your turn. What workout equipment do you have and use at home? What workout equipment could you live without?