8 Equipment Essentials You Need for Your Home Gym

May 15, 2018

Compared to your local gym, working out at home is more convenient and much more affordable.

If you’d rather not make an extra stop on the way home, drive to a gym during the busiest times, or your schedule is too hectic, then working out at home is for you. 

Once you have a functional home gym, there's really no comparison.

It's easy to get in a quick workout.

You don't have to worry about dirty equipment, people staring, and you won't have to pay for a membership.

That being said, there’s lots of home workout gear in the fitness universe, and it can be tough trying to figure out the must-have for your workout space. Luckily for you, we’ve got a list of home workout essentials that will help you get an effective workout in the comfort of your living room.

 

A Large Exercise Mat

When choosing a mat for your home workout space, you want a mat that’s durable, thick, and has a non-slip backing.

Your mat will take a beating if you’re giving your workouts everything you’ve got.

Oh, and having a mat that’s big enough to actually move around on is a major bonus too.

This is where having the best home gym flooring will take your workout to the next level. You’ll have lots of room for moving around, and you’ll be comfortable during exercises that might otherwise be not so comfortable.

Resistance Bands and Loops

There’s a reason that this set of home workout accessories is so popular.

Resistance bands are portable, adjustable, and come in strengths that match any fitness level. You can even choose their materials - lates, or non-latex.

There are lots of ways to get creative with your workouts using these workout tools. Look for snap resistant bands, loops or tubes.

 Try getting a set of three resistances for starters. Many brands offer door attachments, so you can duplicate exercises done on cable machines at the gym.

Some brands even allow you do add more resistance by clipping multiple bands to the same handle. You’ll get a great workout without having to worry about bulky machines.

 

Exercise Ball

When it comes to home ab workouts, nothing beats having an exercise ball and a great mat.

An exercise ball also allows you to do many other exercises and increase their difficulty by forcing you to use your stabilizing muscles. (You know, they’re those muscle groups everyone forgets are there.)

Use them for squats, roll-outs, leg raises, pushups, and many other exercises.

To determine the proper size for your exercise ball, sit on the ball with your feet on the floor. If your thighs are exactly parallel to the ground, then you’ve found your perfect fit.

 

Yoga Block and Strap

A great workout needs to be followed by yoga or stretch training. Yoga blocks and straps can help you stretch comfortably and effectively by helping you modify poses and stretches that are difficult.

Blocks can be very helpful when it comes to ab and core work and stretching the lower back, especially for those prenatal and postpartum exercises who have to be careful not to overstretch.

Straps are great for stretching the arms and legs, especially the quads and shoulders.

Stretching your muscles after a workout helps to improve muscle imbalances and also helps improve circulation. Oh, and did we mention that it improves relaxation?

 

Weights and Kettlebells

While you may not have the space for a whole rack of weights. Having two or three sets of weights and/or kettlebells can greatly amplify your home workout results.

Choose light weights based off of how much you can lift for fifteen to twenty reps. Heavy weights should be chosen off of how much you can lift for eight to ten reps and feel fatigue in your muscles.

The weight of the kettlebells that you choose should be about half of the weight of a dumbbell you can lift. Because kettlebells are used in powerful, fast-paced exercises, you want to be sure that you can still control the weight that you’re swinging.

Both of these pieces of equipment can provide you with a heart-pumping, muscle-defining workout.

 

Interval Timer

With all those exercises you’re doing, you need to be sure to maximize your workout’s efficiency, which is where adding an interval timer can help.

There are many out there on the market, but the best interval timers allow you to set two intervals: one for exercise sets, the other for rests.

This tool is also a great motivator for keeping your workouts short and sweet, and can also prevent wasting time with long rests between exercises.

An interval timer also allows you to track your progress by gradually increasing the time of your intervals, and it can be used by anyone, from beginners to the most advanced exercisers.

 

Foam Roller

There are days when you just need to relax and release your muscles. Foam rollers can help you release your tightest muscles and encourage muscle activation.

Just be aware that the denser the material, the more uncomfortable you’ll feel while you’re foam rolling. If you’re a beginner, start with a softer foam roller. It will provide a gentle massage to tight muscles without making you want to cry.

Your muscles will thank you.

 

Workout Cards

Have you ever just wished you could work out on auto-pilot? This compact workout tool is great for just that.

Workout cards are especially helpful for learning technique for new exercises. Cards come with different exercises printed on the front, and a tutorial and modifications on the back.

Plus they add a fun element to your workout. Just shuffle and pick a card. Decide on how many cards you’d like to work through in advance, and you can get a great workout.

 

Your Best Home Gym

Creating your best home gym can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve covered the essentials here.

When you’re ready to add more, you can build up from there. Building your home gym is the time to be creative, and let the tools you include reflect your workout style.

The foundation for a great home workout is your mat. That’s where Gorilla Mats come in.

Our premium mats have enough padding to keep your joints from hurting with stability so you're not sinking in and losing your balance.

Gorilla Mats are tough enough for your most intense HIIT sessions and comfortable enough for your most relaxing yoga sessions.

They can even be rolled up and stored when you’re not using them, or you can use them as flooring for your designated workout space.

They come in three colors and multiple sizes to fit your room and your needs.

Whatever your workout style is, we’ve got you covered.

Grab a premium Large Workout Mat for your home gym today!

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