Top 10 home gym equipment for your workouts.

 

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With many gyms and fitness studios still shut down during the pandemic, it's important to find the best at-home workout equipment for your given space, ones that can help you move and exercise at home without losing momentum on your fitness goals.

While some of us are still able to exercise outside safely—meaning we’re able to follow social distancing rules on our walks, runs, or bike rides—many live in areas where crowds make outdoor cardio a no-go. On the other hand, some people can go outside safely, but those kinds of activities simply aren’t their jam.

That means for many people, their living rooms (or bedrooms, basements, or tiny square of free space in their apartments) have become their temporary workout spots and home gyms. And if that describes your situation, chances are pretty good that you don’t have a ton of room to play around with. 

We get it: Stocking a “gym” can be daunting. So we tapped trainers from across the country to share their picks for the best workout equipment for home use. From free weights to massagers, these at home workout equipment picks will help you get set up. 

Whether you’ve found virtual fitness classes to tune into via Zoom, or you prefer to go at it solo, these items are sure to help you maintain a routine during quarantine, and hopefully keep some of the stress and anxiety you’ve been feeling at bay.

All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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  For Bodyweight Training: TRX Go Suspension Trainer System

  The TRX suspension training system allows you to work both your upper and lower body, while helping you develop core stability. If you don’t have access to a trainer to walk you through it, TRX’s website has instructional videos, as well as 30-minute video workouts that are updated daily. 

  “Although it’s a bit more expensive than other pieces of equipment, if used correctly, the TRX system can be the only piece of equipment that you need,” says Victoria Nolan, a certified personal trainer at Suite Time Fitness in Houston. “It's easy to set up, as it can be hooked up over a door or even a good backyard tree.”

  $130 AT AMAZON

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  For Bodyweight Training: Yoga Accessories Non-Slip Exercise Mat

  A yoga mat isn’t just for yoga: It can make bodyweight exercises like stretching and core work more comfortable, says Elizabeth Corkum, a certified personal trainer and running coach in New York City. (Plus, it can provide a good surface for strength training, too.) Most basic yoga mats are affordable and get the job done just fine without breaking the bank. This one, however, is longer than most other mats out there, which is a plus if you’re on the tall side.

  $26 AT AMAZON

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For Bodyweight Training: Manduka Pro Yoga Mat

If you're willing to spend a little more on a yoga mat (especially if you're going to use it for a variety of exercises), this Manduka Pro option is one that's beloved by yogis.  Holly Perkins, CSCS, a celebrity trainer and author of Lift to Get Lean, calls it the Rolls-Royce of mats, and the best she's ever tried. “It’s a super durable, heavy mat that is stable. I like that it’s thicker than most yoga mats, so it’s great for strength exercises, but not too thick that your feet stick in.”

$103 AT AMAZON

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  For Bodyweight Training: FEIERDUN Doorway Pull-Up Bar

  “Doorway pull-up bars are my go-to piece of equipment to help maintain and gain upper body strength, all without any added weight,” says Elizabeth Murphy, a certified personal trainer in Boston. Pull-ups recruit muscles in your back, shoulders, chest, and arms, and you can easily isolate muscle groups by changing your hand position on the bar. (If you want to hammer your biceps, the chin-up variation—palms toward your body—just might be the variation for you.) Plus, you can also use resistance bands for a pull-up assist.

  $80 $50 AT AMAZON

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  For Bodyweight Training: AZURELIFE Exercise Core Sliders

  Core sliders, or gliding discs, will take your planks and core routine to a whole new level, says Karisa Curtis, a certified personal trainer in Ventura, California. These discs, which look like Frisbees, offer options for both carpet and hardwood floors, making for endless options for low-impact movement during an intense workout. You can use them to strengthen major muscle groups throughout your body, like your inner and outer thighs, legs, and butt.

  “Gliding discs can be used to increase the intensity of a ton of different exercises, without adding any impact—a win for your joints and your downstairs neighbors,” Murphy adds. A few of the moves you can add a boost to with gliding disks are plank jacks, side-lunges, mountain climbers, speed skaters, and push-up variations.

  $21 $9 AT AMAZON

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  For Bodyweight Training: Lifeline Power Wheel

  Celebrity trainer Erin Oprea considers an ab wheel a more advanced piece of equipment that’s not just great for core training, but can also completely smoke your hamstrings, too. (Thanks to the foot straps on this one, you can use it for moves like hamstring curls).

  $50 AT AMAZON

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For Resistance Training: Zensufu Ankle Weights

Oprea also considers ankle weights a helpful piece of equipment to diversify your at-home workout. Using ankle weights can add extra resistance to lower-body moves like donkey kicks, as well as core exercises like V-ups.

$29 AT AMAZON

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  For Resistance Training: Amazon basic Resistance Band Loop Set

  “These resistance bands have become my go-to item for home and travel workouts,” says Jen Temperley, a certified personal trainer and owner of Climb Fitness in Los Angeles. The bands are portable, come in a range of sizes and tension levels, and work for all levels of athletic ability.

  “I love resistance bands because they’re travel-friendly and you can easily switch between working your arms, core, and legs without changing equipment,” adds Sarah Periman, a certified personal trainer in Houston.

  $15 AT AMAZON

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  For Resistance Training: JFIT Dumbbell Set

  If your goal is to build muscle, dumbbells, or free weights, are a must-have. “Dumbbells can be one of the most important pieces of equipment in any home gym, as they are both versatile and durable, and are very space efficient for apartments and small spaces,” says Luke Milton, a certified personal trainer and founder of TrainingMate in Los Angeles. “There are hundreds of exercises you can do with a pair of dumbbells, including clean and press, bicep curls, chest presses, squats, deadlifts, renegade rows, and tricep kickbacks.” 

  $60 $53 AT AMAZON

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  For Resistance Training: Bowflex SelectTech Adjustable Weight

  Kettlebells work your entire body while getting your heart rate up, says Holly Roser, a certified personal trainer and owner of Holly Roser Fitness Studio in San Francisco. A kettlebell allows you to perform a variety of moves, including swings, deadlifts, lunges and squats, all of which elevate your heart rate for an instant HIIT workout at home. “I love how this kettlebell adjusts to your personal fitness level, and it’s also a huge space saver, since you don’t have to buy multiple weights,” she says.

  $160 $149 AT AMAZON

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