The Best Home Exercise Equipment for Beginners: 12 Essentials for your Home Gym
This post is about the best home exercise equipment for beginners
Have you been thinking about working out at home and just aren’t sure exactly what you need and what is worth the investment? I’ve put together my must-have equipment for you- and believe me, I WAS a beginner 7 years ago! My home gym has been built slowly over the years and warning - it can be quite addicting to turn your home into the center of your wellness, because it is just so fun to have everything on hand. However, like you - I wanted a bit of guidance before i got started, so I’ve broken up these items by Just the Basics and Leveling Up so you can choose the equipment that matches your current commitment level!
Just the Basics
Dumbbells: Depending on the program - 5, 8, and 12 pounds are generally a great starting point. I love how the stand is included with these and you can easily tuck them away. In the beginning, I worked out in my kid’s playroom - this meant cleaning up and putting away my workout equipment every day. These dumbbells are perfect for a beginner, especially if you don’t have a dedicated workout space, yet!
Resistance Bands: Resistance bands are an excellent option, especially if you need to travel or have a VERY limited space. You can attach them to a door frame and use in place of a pull-up bar. They are incredibly versatile and can be used in place of dumbbells for gentle strength training.
Resistance Loops: Similar to bands - the loops can also be used in place of certain weight lifting moves, they are also great for increasing intensity of lower or upper body workouts!
Yoga Mat: No matter what type of workouts you do - a yoga mat is an essential piece of equipment. Whether you’re doing yoga, pilates, or stretching - your yoga mat will give you some extra cushion and protection for both you and your flooring. If storage is an issue - just roll it up and hide it away in a closet or behind the couch!
Leveling Up
Adjustable weights: if you already have some basic light weights and need something heavier like 20+ then I highly recommend starting off with a set like these. We own two sets of these - we keep one here and one at our summer home, because they take up very little space! I love how you can adjust in 2.5 pound increments and it is much more cost efficient to buy adjustable weights vs. purchasing all new separate free weights!
Weight Bench: Once you have a dedicated workout space - a weight bench can really amp things up. Not only for expanding your weight lifting options, but also for enhancing cardio workouts. I also use mine to modify certain moves like burpees and help with post-workout stretches.
Lifting gloves: Sometimes its the little things that really help you level up and I LOVE my lifting gloves! They help you grip better - which can be a safety concern if you’re really dripping sweat and your hands get slippery. Also - they protect your hands when using resistance bands and loops. And this may seem weird, but I hate the metal smell of free weights and these prevent your hands from smelling like metal! I won’t use any other brand than Harbinger - I’ve tried other brands and they just aren’t as comfortable or durable. Thankfully they’ve expanded their women’s color options beyond just pink + purple (insert eye-roll)!
Gym flooring: Once you have created a workout space - these are awesome for protecting your floors and creating a real gym feel. When we moved my workout space from the kid’s playroom to the basement we needed something to cushion the floors and found these very easy to setup. There are more durable options to choose from, but these are what we have!
Foam roller: If you’re serious about working out, then you also need to get serious about self-care stretching and foam rolling. I use mine daily and seriously - this is one of my favorite pieces of gym equipment! Its like having a massage at your fingertips. The 24 inch has worked great for me!
Yoga Blocks: Whether trying to advance in your yoga pose, or modifying because of existing injuries and limitations, a set of yoga blocks can really help you move forward with your flexibility and balance.
Stretching strap: Another way to really amp up your stretching routine is this strap. You can use it for yoga or any stretching routine! I love how this one has the extra loops to secure any pose.
Balance Ball: If you aren’t ready to invest in a weight bench, a balance ball is a great option. You can use it for weight lifting, stretching or core/ab workouts. So many options!
I hope you find these recommendations helpful - bottom line, you do NOT need a lot to get started, but building your home gym is exciting and fun! You can find my complete list of home-gym essentials here or the 9 Best Beginner Workouts for Women here.