Stocking Your Home Gym

Choosing fitness equipment to have on hand in your home gym can be extremely overwhelming to an exercise newbie. Here are some staples to have on hand for effective at home workouts. 

 

  • Dumbbells of varying weights. Resistance training is your best friend, especially as a woman and especially as we age. Skip over the 1 and 2 lb weights and opt for some ranging in size from 5-15lbs (Adjustable ones are really cost effective and efficient to use as well). Since different muscle groups can handle heavier weights and others require lighter ones, having a variety on hand is key.

  

 

  • Resistance bands/tubes. While lifting dumbbells is an important part of a fitness routine, adding movements that work against an unstable force, like a band, are also amazing movements. That, and if you travel often resistance bands are much easier to pack and take with you. The bands, I use for a lot of lower body movements by tying them into a loop and working to maintain tension in the band during exercises, and the tubes are great if you can fix them to a beam or heavy piece of furniture to pull against.

   

  • Ankle weights. Adding weight to your body while you perform what would otherwise be “bodyweight” exercises ups the ante for intensity and muscle building. Again, I would suggest looking for an adjustable variety so that you can remove or add weight to it as your fitness level grows.

   

  • A stability ball, while I don’t use this frequently, it is a great addition to any home gym for core and chest work. I prefer a variety that has a little weight (sand usually) inside of it that prevents the ball from rolling too easily.

  

 

  • A kettle bell or sandbag. If you don’t want to spend the money on a fancy shmancy one, you can just add books or weights to a sturdy backpack or duffel and use that instead. I use both of these often for full body exercises.

  

  

  • A sturdy bench or box. Something that can safely hold your weight and won’t tip over easily. I would suggest something about knee high for beginners, and a little higher for more advanced exercisers. I use mine for elevated planks, step ups, step overs, ab work, etc.

  

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