My MUST-HAVE Fitness Items for Home Workouts
I have dropped serious cash on my home fitness equipment–and this list only includes the items I consider the most essential in my workout routine. I consider it a worthwhile investment due to the fact I have been able to completely replace membership to a commercial gym, and I put in a ton of hours with my home workouts.
However, you don’t have to spend a fortune on getting started–most importantly, you need to consider what you’ll actually use, and the intensity & wear you’ll put your gear through before purchasing top-of-the-line equipment. That’s why I’ve also included some budget & DIY suggestions so that you can access all the workouts that I do without the upfront cost.
Exercise Mat
In my home:
bando.com
For just about any exercise you do at home, you’ll need a non-slip, cushioned surface. Think of this as your workout home base–here you’ll be dipping & diving into stretches and isometric exercises, stretching out after sessions, and resting your weights so that you don’t ding up the floorboards.
Choosing a mat is more of an aesthetic decision than functional. While you’ll find variety in thickness & texture; unless you are a serious yogi, you don’t need to splurge on a premium mat. You can find just about any color & pattern you like for as low as $10-15 at fitness retailers or department stores.
Check these out:
Mulberry Yoga Mat 
Puzzle Exercise Tiles 
Reversible Mat
DIY alternative:
Use a rug, strip of carpet, or a folded-over towel. You want to be sure that the surface won’t slide out of place while you are moving, and can be cleaned easily when it collects moisture. You can use a non-slip rug pad underneath or weighted objects along the sides to secure the surface in place.
Running Shoes
In my home:
hokaoneone.com
If you are looking for the most accessible form of exercise that you can start right now, I urge you to take up running. While I previously viewed running as a punishment, I altered my expectations such that it became a part of my daily routine I genuinely crave each day.
As long as you have a safe environment; be it a park, hiking trail, well-lit road, or treadmill… lace up a pair of shoes and you have a simple $0 workout. No instructions needed.
The thing is, most people I know have a pair of running shoes at home already (even if they’re collecting dust in the closet). But if the only thing that comes to mind when you consider running is shin splints and blisters, you should seriously consider shopping for running shoes with a pro who can find the right fit for you. There are a vast array of options when it comes to sizing, soles, cushion, flexibility–and making the best decision will depend on your unique needs; e.g. trail running vs. roads, arch support, etc.
Ideally, you can try a pair on in-store to find the perfect fit, but there are plenty of guides on how to size yourself at home and select a pair. Be sure to purchase from a store with a flexible return policy so that you can exchange or return in case the fit is off. You don’t need to break the bank on these–while quality running shoes are worth investing in, you can find durable, supportive pairs for as low as $50.
Check these out:
ASICS GEL-Venture 7 
Brooks Launch 7 
Nike Revolution 5
Weights
In my home:
repfitness.com
I skipped out on lifting for so long due to a number of factors; one simply being lack of access! Primarily I train BJJ at a martial arts studio, so the facility isn’t outfitted with the cardio and weight equipment you might see in your typical commercial gym.
While running increased my cardiovascular fitness, I still lacked muscle tone and felt prone to fatigue during training sessions. I can assure you that incorporating simply lifting exercises into my routine had noticeable positive impact on my BJJ performance from a strength, speed, and endurance standpoint.
When I envision the perfect home gym, it includes all the racks, benches, bars, and plates I could possibly need for a full weightlifting program. Outfitting a home gym as a mini-version of a commercial facility not only is far beyond my budget; I also have limited space in my apartment and no leeway to be bolting equipment to the walls and ceilings. The great news is that as a newbie to strength training, you really only need basic free weights to get started on the road to intense sets and significant muscle gains.
I love kettlebells because they offer great versatility–their small size allows for dynamic workouts that condition your body while in constant motion; boosting your cardio in addition to building muscle. The weight concentrated in a small package requires you to stabilize your core as you swing the kettlebell–and you’ll learn quickly your areas of muscle weakness that you can pinpoint as areas for improvement.
Small dumbbells can be low-cost and fit neatly in a cramped space–and you won’t believe the amount of people you can find in your local area who are looking to get rid of the weights they never use when they declutter their homes as a part of spring cleaning. Before shopping for a set, check out your area’s Facebook marketplace or yard sale groups and you might find deeply discounted exercise equipment that you can make yours.
For heavier weightlifting programs, sandbags allow you to select your desired weight and are significantly less expensive than purchasing barbells & plates. The biggest drawback–buying your own sand, then measuring and filling the bags (hopefully without creating a huge mess). I purchased my Wreck Bag as an antidote to that problem–pre-weighted with rubber filling, the bag is ready-to-go once it arrives at your door, and buying a product made in my State of Rhode Island helped seal the deal.
Check these out:
CAP Neoprene Dumbbells 
Rogue Sandbags
DIY alternative:
Rinse out an empty milk jug with water, gravel, or sand for a homemade kettlebell weight. Seal the lid on the jug tightly and cover with packing tape.
Bodyweight Suspension Trainer
In my home:
monkii.co
When I discovered the Pocket Monkii, it was just a flashy Kickstarter campaign with impressive videos. I had heard of suspension training before, but what I loved about their product was they advertised a super portable kit that could travel from home, to hotel, to outdoors, all in your back pocket. As an apartment-dweller with little room for the dream “home gym” setup, a no-assembly required workout system was exactly what I wanted.
Monkii has since redesigned their products with various product feature improvements and is always developing new systems to eliminate the need for a gym membership.
I’m not exaggerating when I say that suspension training has been the biggest game-changer for reaching my personal fitness goals. I attribute this to just a few key characteristics of bodyweight exercises:
- No weights + no assembly required = the ideal solution for beginners and experts alike.
- It’s insanely efficient.
- It engages your core constantly.
- Every single exercise can be modified.
- With countless possibilities, it never gets boring.
The best part of suspension trainers for home fitness is that they take up zero floor space and can easily pack away when they’re not in use. Just clear out about a 6ft area of space when you’re ready to go. With less than a minute of set-up time, you can take advantage of those 15 minute breaks while cooking dinner or before your next conference call.
Every single suspension training system is designed to use your bodyweight as the force behind engaging your muscles. That means you simply need to alter the angle of your body or shift more/less of your weight into the floor to increase or decrease the exercise difficulty. So even if you can’t do a standard push-up, you’ll be able to make this work. I dreaded core training before using a suspension trainer because the initial exercises were so challenging for me.
Most of all–the movements possible with suspension trainers are limitless; you can focus on core, chest, legs, back, shoulders, arms, or your entire body all at once.
Check these out:
TRX HOME2 System 
Lifeline Jungle Gym XT
DIY alternative:
Proceed with great care when attempting to create your own suspension training system at home. With polyester webbing strips or cam buckle tie-down straps (most often used for transporting & securing equipment) from your local home improvement store, you can sew an effective dupe of the suspension trainers available at fitness retailers–BUT keep in mind that this device is going to be supporting your bodyweight against either your doorframe or mounted support system in your home, so making sure you have strong materials and secure fasteners is key!
Resistance Bands
Here’s what I use:
shopbala.com
This powerful training accessory has serious potential in a small package. Resistance bands can be used effectively for anyone from fitness newbies to elite athletes–even serving as a great recovery tool for injury rehab.
There are a few types of resistance bands available for training; the main ones being tube bands and mini-bands. Tubes attach to a handle or ankle strap and can also be anchored to a secure point for pulling or pushing against.
Mini-bands are looped around the limbs, using the body movements themselves to create tension.
The most portable item on this list, resistance bands allow you to alter your load through various levels of tension; meaning you don’t need bulky weights to build strength–alternatively, resistance bands can increase the load when you are using free weights (maximizing the versatility of your free weight set).
Check these out:
Restore 3-in-1 Resistance Band Kit 
Versa Loops Kit
DIY alternative:
Unless you happen to have materials at home made of durable, stretchy materials, you may need to purchase resistance bands. However, if you have bungee cords on hand, these can easily be converted into resistance bands by linking together the hooks on either end or by tying the ends together in a secure knot.
What does your “home gym” look like? Do you consider any of the items I listed to be your home workout essentials? What DIY or low-cost solutions have you used for fitness on a budget?
