Seven Home Gym Essentials For Any Space

Crafting a home gym can seem a daunting task if you lack the space and budget. By sticking to basic, ready-to-use products and equipment, you can easily piece together an ample home gym without the cost.

Fitness staples have stood the test of time for a reason; they become classics because they work. Even in small spaces, fundamentals like jump ropes and kettlebells are easily storable and can work your entire body. If you’re looking for inexpensive, easily storable workout equipment, these seven items are a great start. The best part — all are available at amazon.com.

BalanceFrom GoYoga Yoga Mat $15

Yoga mats are key for at-home exercises, especially if your floors are particularly hard. A mat will especially come in handy if you do yoga or pilates often, but is also great for any kind of exercise that has you on the floor. If you’ve ever done sit ups on a hard floor, you’ll know the difference a good mat can make.

N1Fit Ab Wheel $19

The ab wheel is a great way to strengthen your core while receiving other health benefits, like better balance and improved posture. Ab wheel rollouts are superior to core workouts like crunches as they strengthen a much longer list of muscles. Crunches work only abdominal muscles and obliques, while each rollout will work nearly 20 different muscles. The wheel can also be used for planks, push-up planks, and standing rollouts, too. This wheel from Amazon includes a knee pad for extra support, and two eBooks geared toward fitness guidance and workout routines.

Yes4All Solid Cast Iron Kettlebells $19

Kettlebells are often discredited for being easily replaced by a dumbbell, however, many of the motions necessary for kettlebell workouts are unique and are a great staple for a home gym. Exercises like swings and thrusters require a kettlebell for full effect, and they can also be used for exercises like squats, Russian twists, overhead presses and one-arm rows. The Yes4All kettlebell offers a variety of weight options and also features an easy-to-grip handle.

UE Boom $79

No workout is complete without the right playlist. One benefit to working out out at home is the ability to blast your tunes as loud as you’d like, neighbors permitting. The UE Boom is great for sound quality and easy wireless Bluetooth connectivity.

Fit Simplify Resistance Bands $13

Resistance bands take up almost no space and, when used correctly, can give you nearly a full body workout. These bands from Amazon include online video access to help you get started with basic workouts. Resistance bands used during familiar exercises engage more muscles. From lateral band walks to push ups, resistance bands can add to nearly any strength training routine. They are compact, lightweight and offer a variety of resistant levels. Once you’re ready for an extra challenge, try increasing the resistance level to build more muscle.

AmazonBasics Neoprene Dumbbells $8-24

Light dumbbells are essential to a basic workout. By adding a little bit of weight to familiar workouts, you can focus on building muscular endurance with low-weight, high-rep exercises. Light dumbbells are especially great for toning arms and shoulders. They are also easily storable, inexpensive and allow targeted muscles to manage the load by themselves, rather than rely on momentum or other muscles for help. While most people may be used to heavier dumbbells, holding a pair of 5-pound dumbbells with an outstretched arm parallel to the ground will definitely have you feeling the burn.

King Athletic Jump Rope $10

What was once a fun childhood activity is also one of the best ways to get a cardiovascular workout. Jumping rope can raise your heart rate three times faster than other exercises and also helps improve cognitive function. Jumping rope will work your legs, arms, core and shoulders, and has less impact on joints than running. This jump rope from Amazon includes a video training program to help you find your rhythm. You can also try a weighted rope to engage more muscles and burn more fat once you’ve gotten the hang of beginner workouts, or a wire rope to work on speed and coordination.

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