9 Kinds of Fitness Equipment That Are Must-Haves in Your Home Gym
Beyond just working from home (many of us are still working full-time), we're able to shop, learn, and connect without ever stepping out the door. So why shouldn't the same logic apply to getting in shape? Actually, it does, which is why nine out of ten Americans who exercise regularly plan to continue their fitness routines at home, even post-COVID (Source: Fortune).
Building a Home Gym
Whether you're a dedicated CrossFit enthusiast, a weightlifting pro, or a chilled-out yogi, you must have a gym-friendly environment to carry out your preferred form of physical activity at home. You may not have the square footage or the means to build a space that matches a commercial fitness studio, but if you are committed to working up a sweat without leaving the comfort of your home, a small investment in fitness equipment can go a long way—and we’re here to help you sort through all the noise.
List of Home Gym Fitness Equipment to Get You Started
Unfortunately, there's no one-size-fits-all scenario here. As a beginner, you'll need to experiment with various equipment to see what works best for you. Of course, your new at-home fitness adventure won't need a ton of pricey equipment or any complex assembly, disassembly, and reassembly services on your part (only if you hire a reliable exercise equipment installer), which is excellent news. So, without further ado, let's move straight to the heart of this article: home gym must-haves.
● Barbell
● Plyo Box
● Kettlebells
● Dumbbells
● Weight Rack
● Weight Plates
● Training Bench
● Resistance Bands
● Cardio Machines
Barbell
If a weight rack is a table, the barbell serves as the chair—that's how interrelated both pieces of equipment are. It is a connecting mechanism between you and the weight, and without one in your fitness reservoir, you cannot execute exercises like bench presses, deadlifts, and barbell rows. Therefore, when buying a barbell, you should not only consider the quality but the durability and type of the barbell.
Plyo Box
Although a plyo box is more specialized than other pieces of fitness equipment on the starter’s list, it is necessary for athletes, especially those who compete in fitness competitions against professionals. A good thing about a plyo box is that unlike a weight rack, which requires a significant financial investment, purchasing a plyo box will not put a hole in your bank account—it’s quite affordable.
Kettlebells
Kettlebells provide home gym owners with a unique set of perks, including the fact that they are space-saving, adaptable, and much-needed to perform dynamic routines. The power-building capabilities of this oddly shaped equipment may be of use to everyone. Compared to barbells and dumbbells, kettlebells can be thrown and flung about more readily, making them quite essential.
Dumbbells
Unlike barbells, dumbbells offer single-sided versatility and are essential for beginners. When you use a dumbbell as opposed to a barbell, you force your body to use one side to produce the power necessary to lift the dumbbell, which means you get to target individual muscles. . Even though you'll be lifting two dumbbells simultaneously, each of your muscles still has to function independently to maintain the weight of the single dumbbell.
Weight Rack and Plates
The weight rack serves as the focal point and is where you and other fitness enthusiasts gather to press, squat, and deadlift every weight plate (those meant to be loaded onto the barbell). In short, both the rack and the plates are a must-buy.
Training Bench
A training bench in a home gym is like a support system. Without a good bench, you can’t actually perform a lot of exercises safely. You can do lifts by laying on it, angle the body by propping your feet and hands, and step up to perform step-up exercises. A key thing to note here is that quality matters. The bench you purchase will need to be sturdy enough to support your weight as well as the weight you’re lifting. Stay away from cheap benches.
Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are a very important piece of equipment for home gyms. The fact that they are less expensive than free weights doesn’t mean you can’t use them to break a sweat. Although resistance bands may not seem like much at first glance, you can use them to supplement your regular exercises to get the most out of your workout. Moving to resistance bands after lifting weights can push your muscles to the limit, thus maximizing their growth.
Cardio Machines
Cardio is essential for maintaining a healthy heart rate and a great way to burn more calories and shed those difficult-to-get-rid-of layers of fat. You might go for a run outdoors; however, if you don’t have the time or the space, running outdoors doesn’t always cut it. Besides, in states like Maryland, where thunderstorms are common every five days, what will you do if it starts raining outside?
The Final Cut
So there you have it: a list of must-have fitness equipment for your home gym. Of course, there are certainly more pieces of fitness equipment that you might pick up if you have special requirements (such as a stability or medicine ball). Nevertheless, the above items should be more than enough to help you get started. Now that you have a list in place, it's time to shop for the necessary fitness equipment and hire an exercise equipment installer like Treadmill Installers to make sure all your equipment is safe to use.
Established in Baltimore, Maryland, Treadmill Installers is a professional assembly and installation company serving residents and companies in Maryland, Northern Virginia, Washington DC, and Southern Pennsylvania. Interested in learning more about how our expert team works to take the burden off your shoulders? Visit www.treadmillsinstallers.com or give us a call at 202-830-0072.
