a list of the best equipment for your home gym to improve your home workout experience and maintain a healthy lifestyle without injury.
This post contains affiliate links, please see my disclaimer for more information. Lauren is an independent team beachbody coach who co-runs The Girl Squad on the BOD app.
How I got Into home workouts
In 2015, my best friend Marcie, who I had been bffs with for over 10 years, told that I should join her in doing home workouts. I remember thinking (in my head) “there is absolutely no way in hell I will do these workouts.” In fact, because life is hilarious, a week earlier I totally threw shade at a girl I met who said she “worked out in her living room,” I literally told her while shaking my head, “I could never do that.” I thought I would hate them, they would be boring, & that doing a workout on a dvd was about the lamest thing I had ever heard.
Marcie & I in Colorado in 2016
But she loved them & doing them meant we got to hang out online in a group together, which was awesome because I lived in Alaska & she lived in PA. So in May 2015, I started doing the 21 day fix workouts, and something insane happened…
I didn’t stop and five years later, I am obsessed with working out at home & you couldn’t pay me to go back to the gym. The best thing about working out at home? You don’t have to share your equipment & you’re done in less than an hour from start to second start to actual start to finish.
I didn’t start out with ANY equipment, in fact, I refused to buy weights for the first 3 weeks I did 21 day fix, because I didn’t think I’d finish it and didn’t want to waste money.
Over time, I’ve come up with the following “must haves” for your home gym to make keep it minimalistic but effective. Here’s what I use on the reg:
“The best thing about working out at home? You don’t have to share your equipment & you’re done in less than an hour.”
best Home Gym Equipment list
An 18” Tiger Tail massage Stick.
We all get sore muscles, whether we work out or not. This stick not only works for your lower body, but because it doesn’t have little beads and is covered in a foam substance, it is perfect for rolling out your neck. I have released TONS of tension headaches or neck soreness with this, that I even bring it with me when I go on road trips.
Check this video out on how to use it for your tight neck muscles.
2. 36” Black Foam Roller.
Not all foam rollers are made equal. Specifically the color and density (firmness) mean something. I personally like the black ones because they’re more firm, which means that it’s working the deeper muscle groups & I don’t have to own multiple foam rollers. I like 36” because it’s more versatile.
3. Adjustable Weights.
My bff Marcie & her fam got these for me for a wedding gift, because they’re the best. I’m obsessed with having adjustable weights, specifically for my heavy days & because some moves like lateral raises I need 7.5lbs. I have a few friends who also love the core adjustable weights because they have a smaller footprint that the bowflex ones I have & I can see how this would be extremely helpful!
4. Gorilla Mat (Non-Slip Gym Mat).
In our last house, I worked out in the guest bedroom, which was 25% guest bedroom 25% office & 50% workout space. It was covered in carpet and #batman wasn’t a huge fan of ripping up the carpet, since ya know we owned it & all. This mat was attempt #2 at protecting the carpet. My first attempt with puzzle piece floor wasn’t super safe & I fell a few times. This mat is 100x better & I would only have to adjust it 1-2x a workout depending on how wild I was.
5. Adjustable Ankle Weights.
I bought second hand 5lbs adjustable ankle weights to do the home workout program Brazil Butt Lift Master Series #cutebootygoals. I didn’t know then that these adjustable ankle weights would be so versatile. Most workout programs you need a light, medium & heavy weights. I typically use these as my 3-5lbs light weights. If I ever upgraded though, I’d grab a 10lbs set of adjustable weights so that I could have access to 3, 5, 7lbs. I was stuck in the 5lbs category for my lateral raises because I didn’t want to buy 7lbs or 8lbs dumbbells, but if I already had that amount in ankle weights I would’ve utilized it!
*these have great reviews, the ones I own I bought second-hand but function exactly the same.
6. Perform Better Loop Bands.
As a Physical Therapist, I’ve known for 7+ years that these loop bands are magic workers for activating your glutes. Now, in my home workout programs like 80 day obsession, 10 rounds, or barre blend I’m using them on the regular. I own this brand and Beachbody’s brand and haven’t had any issues with either of them. You can grab them in 9” or 12” (I personally like to have both depending on the move).
7. Sliders.
There are a ton of different options for sliders. I personally like the Beachbody ones because they are curved on the sides and come with covers so you can use them on hard floor and carpet. The curve allows for greater glut activation due to foot position compared to a flat slider (ones that look like furniture protectors). I’ve used these for workout programs including: Piyo, 4 Weeks of The Prep, and 80 Day Obsession. They honestly make core work way more fun, which is saying something because I’m a big baby when it comes to anything abs related.
8. Full Length Mirror.
I always thought mirrors that leaned against walls were the fanciest things, like so pinterest worthy. That was until I realized that my $50 one from Walmart was leaving black marks on the walls (face palm).
We’re in the middle of moving from WA state to WI now & I’m looking for alternative options. Since we’re military we don’t live anywhere more than 2-3 years & #batman is not a fan of things on the wall, so I’m super curious about this stand alone version.
Full length mirrors are a MUST HAVE for form, staying engaged during your workouts, and pushing yourself. If it’s a timed test, girlfriend, look yourself in the eye and CRUSH IT even though it’s hard.
*I do not own this exact mirror yet, but the leaning mirror I had previously left marks on my wall so I might try this one next since it has good reviews & is free standing.
9. Stability Ball.
Stability balls are great for alternative sitting at a desk, stretching out your back (do a back bend over them), and doing core workouts you find for free on pinterest (oh, jk you have 17 pinned and never did ONE? me too.).
It’s a must have in my home gym because it is my modification to not having a bench. Workouts like A Week of Hard Labor or Hammer and Chisel require benches or a stability ball for some of the moves. I leave it in the closet most of the time, but when I need it, it’s totally there for me.
I use a 65” stability ball, different brand (bought it second hand).
10. 10-15lbs Dumbbells.
A set of 8-15lbs dumbbells for your medium weights is definitely a must. For me it was a gradual journey. I bought 5 & 10lbs weights first, then after 2 years I asked for 15lbs for my birthday, then 5 years in I received 5-50lbs adjustable weights for our wedding gift. If I did it all over, I’d do this: 10lbs adjustable ankle weights keeping them mostly at 5-7lbs, 10-12lbs dumbbells, adjustable weights. That way you have light, medium, and heavy options without having to use your adjustable weights for everything (plus minimizing your equipment).
PS if you want a cute butt, get the adjustable weights, you’re going to have to lift a bit heavier than 15lbs to get the results you want.
*you can also buy weights at target, walmart, etc.
ps. have you tried the new home workout from beachbody muscle burns fat yet?
AUTHOR: Dr. Lauren Baker, DPT, PT, ATC, MTC is a Physical Therapist/Athletic Trainer, Online Fit Coach, Military Wife, & Circus Addict who is obsessed with sharing all her adventures & knowledge so that you know that literally ANYTHING is possible with a little bit of Google & a WHOLE lot of courage. Come say hi on insta!
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