Most people on their health and fitness journey opt to join a gym to avoid buying expensive equipment and to help them stay motivated. However, with all the changes over the past year, many people are opting out of gym memberships and instead are purchasing a few pieces of equipment for their home workout plans. If this is something you are considering, below are some recommendations for the best home exercise equipment for your home.
The first piece of at-home exercise equipment you should consider for your home is a set of dumbbells. Dumbbells take up a minimal amount of space and can be used for a variety of strength workouts. However, you want to be sure that you invest in the right weights for your goals. It is recommended to buy several sets in various weights. For men just beginning on their fitness journey, it is recommended that you buy weights in 10lb increments. For example, 10lb, 20lb, 30lb, and 40lb are the weights to begin with. However, females beginning should start at a lower weight and increase in 5lb increments, such as 5lb, 10lb, 15lb, and 20lb. If you have been working out for a while now, start with your lowest weight just below what you are using right now. This will give you space to grow while helping you avoid accidental injuries. You can also invest in a weight bench to vary the weight lifting exercises you do.
Resistance bands are a crucial piece of home workout equipment. Just like dumbbells they are great for strength workouts and can even replace dumbbells in most situations. You can also use resistance bands with dumbbells to replicate heavier weights. Most resistance bands come in three resistance levels – light, medium, and heavy. For best results, you should select a heavy-duty set with all three levels, as you may need different resistance levels depending on your workout activities.
A yoga mat is not just used for yoga. You can use a yoga mat for added comfort when doing bodyweight exercises, strength training, and stretching. As an added bonus most basic yoga mats are super affordable. The key components you want to consider when choosing a yoga mat are thickness, material, and texture. Ideally, your yoga mat should be at least 1/16” thick, for more back support you should look for a mat that is around 1/4” thick. The most common materials are vinyl and rubber, vinyl mats tend to last longer however a rubber mat will feel sturdier. Lastly, the texture of your yoga mat will help with both traction and moisture control, you should aim to find a yoga mat with a slight texture for best results.
If you are looking for a good aerobic workout to help strengthen your heart, lungs and muscles, an elliptical machine could be the answer. Elliptical machines are great for those with aging or injured joints, as the workout is completely low-impact. This is because you have no jolts through your joints like with running as your feet remain on the pedals constantly, almost like walking in running in mid-air. Additionally, by utilizing the handles and increasing the resistance, you can achieve a full-body workout.
The treadmill is a classic addition to any home gym, however, the range available now is nothing like it used to be. With new smart treadmill options like the Peloton Tread and NordicTrack, your treadmill can offer you a more concise workout than ever before. These new treadmills offer thousands of guided workouts ranging from 5km city runs to marathons through the jungle. As added bonus, you no longer have to manually change the incline, as the smart treadmill makes slight changes as you progress through the workout. There are even options for under-desk treadmills, allowing you to exercise while working.
The Peloton is the newest home workout craze to hit. As an at-home spin class option, the Peloton community offers you an at-home option for high-intensity live and on-demand workouts. This can be quite the investment, however, if you enjoy intense curated bike workouts, Peloton is ideal. With thousands of classes available you can be sure to always have a varied workout. The added live workouts and challenge system also add extra motivation for those who need it.
At first glance Mirror looks exactly like a full-length dress mirror, but, it is a state-of-the-art personal training system. It’s a hybrid LCD screen and mirror combo with the ability to stream on-demand and live workout classes. It is similar to Peloton with various instructors hosting different classes. However, the workouts include cardio, boxing, pilates, yoga, barre, and more. Mirror is a pricey investment as a piece of home workout equipment at $1500 upfront and a monthly subscription fee. One of the benefits of Mirror over a treadmill or Peloton bike is the minimal space it requires.
There you have it, a rundown of some of the best home workout equipment options to help you on your fitness journey. No matter your budget, there is a home workout solution for you and your needs.
