If you're going to create a home gym in a small space, make sure these items are on your list.
Want to work out more often, but don't want to shell out for a gym membership or pricey boutique fitness classes? No more excuses! These workout essentials will help you sweat it out at home—no gym membership necessary. Pick and choose from our curated list of gear (weights, medicine balls, yoga mats, and much more) to create a home gym room that works for you.
1
Weighted arm bands
A little weight goes a long way, and Bala Bangles are proof. The weights add half a pound of additional weight to each arm (or ankle) for a touch more resistance to everyday exercise.
2
TRX bands
When anchored to the wall or a sturdy door, the TRX Fit System becomes a full-body training system that helps you build muscle while perfecting your posture and alignment. You can vary the degree of difficulty by changing your body angle.
3
Weighted jump rope
Did you know one study found that just 10 minutes of jumping rope can be equivalent to a 30-minute jog? Exactly. What’s more, the Fitness Gear Weighted Jump Rope comes with removable weights stashed in the handles to increase your workout’s difficulty.
4
Resistance bands
Want a rounder rump? Place one of the bands from Bala Bangles' Resistance Band Set around your quads, ankles, or knees during squats, bridges, or banded walks to help wake up those glutes.
5
Medicine ball
A simple all-around fitness tool, the 10-pound Fitness Gear Soft Medicine Ball can be lifted, thrown, or slammed to beef up your strength and conditioning.
6
Dumbbells
Thanks to an easy-adjust weight selection system, you can choose the perfect poundage—from 2.5 to 12.5—on the NordicTrack Select-a-Weight Adjustable Dumbbells.
7
Kettlebell
From single-leg deadlifts to swings, a kettlebell allows for myriad strength moves in limited space. Our fave: the Bowflex SelectTech 840, which converts from 8 to 40 pounds.
8
Balance ball
The Gaiam Total Body Balance Ball challenges your posture while forcing you to work those core muscles. Plus, it’s a great tool for stretching.
9
Exercise dice
Featuring exercises (think push-ups, lunges, and more), plus rep and time allotments, the Spri Exercise Dice help you keep things feeling exciting and fresh
10
Exercise bench
Thirty years later and the aerobic platform, like Gold’s Fitness Gear Fitness Step, still reigns supreme. Here’s why: You can use it for cardio and explosive exercises, to advance moves or make them easier, or simply as a trusty bench.
11
Yoga mat
Whether you’re moving through a yoga sequence or just stretching it out after a tough workout, a cushioned mat like the Alo Yoga Warrior Mat is a must.
12
Use a block
The Manduka Recycled Foam Yoga Block allows you to perfect certain yoga poses by helping keep your body in proper alignment, but it can also double as a mini toning tool. Place it between thighs while owing from Down Dog to Up Dog for greater ab activation.
13
Yoga strap
Multiple hand- and footholds along the 7-foot Gaiam Restore Multi-Grip Stretch Strap ensure that you get a good post-workout stretch no matter your level of flexibility.
14
Treadmill
Cardio your thing? The Costway Ultra-Thin Folding Treadmill is a good bet: It rings in at an affordable price point, and can be folded up, making it perfect for a home gym. Also good? An LED display, which boasts 12 preset workout programs.
15
Sliders
SKLZ Court Slidez enhance classic body-weight exercises like lunges, mountain climbers, and pikes by creating a greater stability challenge as you glide across surfaces. This double-sided pick is optimized to let you glide over both hardwood and carpeted surfaces.