The home gym landscape has changed drastically over the past few years. While a home gym was once considered a luxury, many people are now dedicating space to work out in their homes and garages.
From simple weights and yoga mats to high-end cardio machines, there are many ways to stay in shape without setting foot in a gym. To help you get started, we selected our favorite pieces of home gym equipment to fit a variety of fitness needs and budgets.
- Yoga Mat
A workout mat is a simple yet essential piece of exercise gear for everything from yoga and stretching to weightlifting and high-intensity interval training.
While there’s an abundance of options to choose from, the Gaiam Premium Extra-Thick Yoga Mat is one of the best because it’s affordable, available in a variety of colors and styles, and easy to clean.
It also features a textured nonslip surface to keep you safe and secure while you sweat.
What’s more, the mat weighs just 3 pounds (1.4 kg) and is extra thick, with 6 mm of padding to keep you comfortable on almost any surface.
- Resistance Bands
Ideal for those tight on space, resistance bands offer a compact and budget-friendly way to add intensity to your workout.
When shopping for resistance bands, keep in mind that most are color-coded according to their tension level. Therefore, it is best to buy a set for maximum versatility. Many bands also include accessories, such as handles and door anchors, to improve your range of motion and allow for a greater number of exercises.
- Weight Bench
With more than 12,000 online reviews, more than half of which are 5 stars, the FLYBIRD Adjustable Weight Bench is a popular choice for any home gym.
With six back and four-seat positions, the bench is easily adjustable for a full-body workout.
It’s also made from high-quality steel and durable leather, so you don’t have to worry about it tearing or breaking anytime soon. Plus, the bench is foldable and weighs only 21.3 pounds, so it’s easy to move and store.
It comes fully assembled and supports up to 600 pounds (272.7 kg) for a safe and stable workout experience.
- Punching Bag
If you enjoy boxing, kickboxing, or mixed martial arts, a freestanding heavy bag, and some boxing gloves are a great investment.
Standing 70 inches (177.8 cm) tall, the punching bag from FITVEN is flexible and durable. Plus, thanks to a series of springs, it’s designed to absorb shock and reduce noise better than its competitors.
Another benefit is that it’s freestanding, so you don’t have to worry about anchoring it to your ceiling. While you can fill the base with water, the company recommends using sand for better stability.
- Suspension Trainer
Complete a full-body workout anywhere and anytime with this suspension training kit from TRX. Featuring a series of straps and handles, suspension trainers allow you to perform a full-body resistance workout without weights. Instead, the trainer uses gravity and your body weight to provide resistance during exercises, including lunges, squats, pullups, pushups, and planks.
The suspension straps also increase the difficulty of workouts by adding an element of instability to bodyweight moves, which helps you use more of your core muscles. Plus, because it’s lightweight and adjustable, the system is ideal for small spaces and people of all sizes and fitness levels.