These 8 cheap and effective pieces of equipment will fulfill all of your basic at-home workout needs. What you can purchase for the best well rounded at-home gym.
As of today, in quarantine, so much of the American population is working out from home.
We have been forced from our big box facilities, studios, and gyms and have been relying on our backyards, basements, and living rooms for exercise.
It may feel weird working out without your squat rack and cable machine but, I assure you there are cheap ways to make do.
The most important thing is to figure out what your budget is. How much are you willing to invest in pieces, and which ones are the most beneficial for your goals.
It is possible to build a very efficient and budget-friendly workout collection with just a few simple pieces.
To figure out where you might want to invest your money, consider some of your favorite workouts, body parts, and essentials.
What are your goals?
What are the exercises you frequent the most?
What are your most-used pieces of equipment?
How do you structure your workouts?
What exercises can you not live without?
And then consider your options for mimicking those movements and types of equipment with at-home options.
At the end of this post I also talk about some more expensive options you may want to consider.
It may be in your best interest to set some money aside from your budget to purchase something more in line with your goals or something more versatile.
If investing in better quality equipment is something you’re considering, you can always start a sinking fund.
I talk about all sinking funds and why they are great for your budget in this post HERE.
Also, consider if working out from home is temporary for you, or if you may be interested in it long term.
You may not know the answer to this question yet because I understand It works well for some people and not others. If it is not for you investing too much into a home gym might not be necessary. You just need enough to get you by.
Don’t forget the power of body wight exercises too! There are so many workout possibilities using absolutely no equipment as well. Make sure that is something you consider when making your equipment choices.
As a personal trainer on a budget, who takes both of theses things very seriously, these are some of my top recommendations.
Resistance Equipment
Resistance Bands:
Resistance bands are versatile and are very portable.
A good investment if you are looking for one piece of equipment for a lot of different movements. Finding a kit that includes a door hinge, handles, and varying lbs is ideal.
One of the main reasons I like these is because you can mimic many exercises with them. They have the ability to be used for many different body parts and, if you have access to a door hinge, they work just like a cable machine.
The different strengths are perfect for those who need more of a challenge as well as those who are just beginning.
Loop Resistance Bands:
Loop bands are even more compact than resistance bands.
They are also ideal for adding tension to many exercises especially, legs. Don’t underestimate their power for arms and abs because they work for upper body exercises as well. I would highly recommend these if you are someone who is on a tight budget or enjoys lifting heavy legs.
You can find a pack of these on Amazon for under $10. If you are someone who likes a good leg day, you can invest a little more and get a high-quality one, still for a good price.
Core Equipment
Sliders:
If you have ever worked with these, you are totally rolling your eyes. I see you!
Sliders are great because they work on many surfaces. Carpet or hardwood. They are super compact, easy to travel with and can be used for both upper, lower, and core exercises.
Many moves you can do with sliders are also quite challenging. If you are more athletic or looking for stability and core training, these are perfect.
You can mix in bodyweight exercises with sliders and increase your core strength immensely.
Stability Balls:
Although much less compact than some of the other options, you should consider getting a stability ball.
Stabilization is such an essential part of a well-rounded workout routine. A Ball like this can help with both balance and building strength.
If you are a beginner this is a great option.
Even if your not a beginner getting a stability ball is ideal because it will make regular exercises more challenging.
Strength Equipment
Medicine ball:
Medicine balls are the perfect tool for training power as well as strength. They can get pricey the heavier they are but if used properly even the strongest man only needs about 6 lbs. Price is based on weight.
Don’t assume that using something like a medicine ball won’t build strength because it will. It will also build power, endurance and is great for rehabilitation.
Personally, if I could only have one or a few pieces, this would make my list.
Kettlebells:
If buying a set of dumbbells isn’t in your budget try a good quality kettlebell. The best part about these is if you pick the right size you can get away with owning just one. Prices vary depending on weight and brand.
I would recommend investing in a medium size for your strength abilities.
It is much easier to make something harder with a medium weight than easier if your weight is too heavy.
If you don’t have a large budget but are looking for a high-quality piece, look into getting a kettlebell.
Dumbbells:
I wouldn’t usually recommend dumbbells as a cheap budget-friendly piece of equipment but…if you buy a moderate pair, you can get them for cheap.
All the same, benefits apply to owning a kettlebell.
You can make a lighter weight more difficult, get the strength benefits, and create a well-rounded workout routine.
Endurance Equipment
Jump Rope:
Yeah, you know that thing you would rock at if you were 20 years younger.
Jump ropes are great for cardio and warm-ups. Jumping may not be so great if you are on the 8th floor of an apartment but, they are ideal for outdoors, basements, and travel.
Believe it or not, jumping rope is great for cardio and easier on the knees than running.
Once you get the hang of it of course.
Agility Ladder:
Agility Ladders aren’t just useful for athletes. They make a great addition to an at-home gym collection. They do require more space but are great for outdoor workouts and endurance training. Some cost less than $30.
Balance Equipment
BOSU Pods:
These aren’t just cute and space-saving but great for balance training. If you have ever used or heard of a traditional BOSU they can get a bit pricey but these minis are perfect! For a pair of 2 for under $40, these are great for both travel and home workouts.
Basics Equipment
Mat:
Every at-home gym lover needs their own mat. If you get anything a nice quality mat will help with any workout. A mat can add the perfect cushion to home youtube workouts or any core-based exercises. If you get anything get yourself a good exercise mat.
Step:
A step can be a cheap and very useful tool for workouts. You don’t have to get the expensive kind to reap the benefits. A traditional step will allow you to to improve your cardio, strength, balance, and allow for support during moves like a chest fly and skull crushers.
If you want to splurge
After being in the fitness industry for many years some pieces of equipment are worth the price.
If you use them.
There are some items that would make great at home additions but are more on the pricey side but serve many purposes.
More expensive equipment that is worth the price
TRX suspension training:
If you have never used this before home you need to. This is a great tool for so many things. Even if you are a beginner. There are entire gyms who’s sole purpose is using the TRX. This strap is great for balance, strength, stretching, stabilization, cardio, you name it. It is also portable space-saving, and easily customizable. Even though it is not the cheapest product if used to its full potential it is worth it.
BOSU:
I mentioned in the balance section the BOSU mini pods but a traditional BOSU is worth the money. I have had a love for this piece of equipment forever. If used correctly it can be a great addition to an at-home gym. One thing I love about it is your ability to not only use it with just your bodyweight but with other pieces of equipment too.
Treadmill:
The one thing that collects dust in post people’s houses. These can cost thousands of dollars but if you use them, you will not regret the purchase. Especially if you live in a cold state. The best place to find these are at garage sales or Facebook marketplace.
Ropes:
The thing everyone loves to hate! Obviously, they take up a little more space but totally worth it. I have this myself and in the summer it adds just that little bit of extra spice to your workouts. Working out your upper body at home can be tough and this will help.
Working out at home doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.
Finding gym equipment at a discount on Amazon, at garage sales, online, and even at HomeGoods or Marshall’s is possible.
Slowly building up a collection will be your best option and it is only a waste of money if you don’t utilize it.
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