Home Workout Must-Haves: Essential Amazon Finds for Fitness Enthusiasts
At-home workout programs are here to stay, and the trend is only getting bigger. The past few years have made people realize how much time and money they can save by doing their workouts at home, rolling that extra time they save into doing the things they love.
While it is true that you can get a great bodyweight workout, sooner or later you’re going to want to shake things up. For anybody looking to add a few tools to the toolbox, this guide is for you.
Let’s explore a few things you’ll want to have for great at-home workouts that keep you progressing and give you great results. Now all you’ll need to do is figure out what to do with all that extra time!
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Ok, that’s enough self-promotion for now. Let’s get into it! Here’s all the basics you need to set up your own private home gym:
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Bands
A good set of resistance bands is the first thing I recommend that people invest in. They are versatile and portable, so you can do loads of different types of workouts anywhere you go. You can do almost any exercise with bands, so it’s a great place to start.
The best value I have found for the money is the Veick Resistance Bands Set I bought a few years ago. I have recommended it to clients since then because it is highly rated and durable, easy to use, and portable. Plus, there are (unintentionally) hilarious photos of fitness models making super intense workout faces on the outside of the box, which in my opinion makes it worth buying just for that. Sometimes when I’m using my Veick bands I crack up just thinking about making a face like that. 10/10.
Hip Circle
Max out your glute work by adding in some hip abduction with these hip circles. There are all kinds of great benefits to using a circle band, and unlike the traditional rubber circle bands, these Slingshot Hip Circle bands won’t roll or pull out your leg hair. Even if your legs are baby-butt smooth, the cloth feels way better on your skin than rubber.
These bands are great for adding a little extra gluteus medius work in your squats and making your butt feel super strong. As one client put it, “I want someone to compliment me on my shoulder blades, to which I’d reply ‘thanks, that’s actually my butt.’”
Slider Discs
I love how slider discs add an element of instability to movements like lunges and allow you to do bodyweight leg curls just about anywhere! You can do plenty of upper body things with them, too.
A good slider disc will work well on carpet, tile, and wood floors. Some exercises have you use them on wall, too, so that’s something to keep in mind.
These Gaiam Slider Discs are highly rated and very popular, so if you’re looking for something good for your home gym, this is what I’d get.
Adjustable 5-in-1 Dumbbell Set
This Veick Adjustable 5 in 1 Dumbbell Set is a minimalist’s dream. Let’s be real — workout equipment doesn’t look good in anyone’s house, especially if there’s a lot of equipment. And dumbbells can take up a lot of space. That is, unless you’ve got these bad boys. This set is a space-efficient way to add weight to your workouts and avoid extra clutter in your house. Plus, you’ll save money getting a 5-in-1 set over five different sets of dumbbells. This set is under $100 as of the date of publication for this blog.
Stability Ball
A stability ball is a must-have for any home gym. You can use them for stretches, core work, rebounding, strength exercises, and even as an extra seat! BTW, did you know they were originally designed as a children’s toy? Anyway, there’s really no reason to buy a fancy name-brand stability ball. This Inexpensive Generic Brand Stability Ball should work just fine. Save your money for something where it makes sense to pay more (like a TRX)!
TRX Suspension Trainer
Since taking the fitness world by storm in the late aughts, the TRX Suspension Trainer has become a staple in gyms — and in people’s home gyms. TRX training gives you the ability to use your bodyweight in ways you never would have imagined, letting you unleash your creativity and make your workouts a little spicier! It packs well, so it makes it easier to get your workouts while traveling. All you need is a door and about 6 feet of space in front of it!
Amazon Basic High-Density Foam Roller
Foal rollers are one of the best recovery tools you can own. They are easy to use and help improve posture and mobility. for most people, a pretty firm one is ideal. Remember, you want it to be pretty uncomfortable because the way you know it’s working is that it become less painful (sounds weird, I know).
Unless you are taking your foam roller to events with you (like some athletes do) or taking it on the road, there’s no reason to get a fancier, more durable one. Under normal wear, this Amazon Basics High Density Foam Roller will last you decades.
Fitness Mat
When it comes to exercise mats, there are a few things you’ll want to look out for. If you have chemical sensitivity, an autoimmune condition, or just want to limit your chemical exposure, you’ll want to be choosy. Most mats these days are made from petrochemicals, contain meavy metals, BPA and other toxins that can leech into your body through off-gassing and skin exposure. A cork exercise mat would be the best choice, since it is latex-free, and the grip improves the more you sweat. Cork provides cushion and is completely biodegradable, too!
I wish I had known about this Gurus Cork Exercise Mat a few years ago when I bought my last yoga mat (which I use at home as a core exercise mat), but you better believe I’ve got my eye on it for when my Lululemon mat finally wears out.
Yoga/Stretching Strap
A yoga strap can help you improve your mobility by helping you get a better stretch. Nothing fancy needed; it just has to be sturdy enough to last. This Tumaz 6-Foot Yoga Strap is made from a durable poly/cotton blend and comes in a bunch of different color combos.
These straps really help when it comes to prone quadriceps stretches and supine hamstring stretches, but I also use mine for mobility exercises like unloaded behind-the-head shoulder presses. Anyway, it’s versatile and a total staple in your exercise equipment arsenal.
Theracane
One of the best things I have ever gotten for myself is The Original Theracane. It comes in handy when I have a trigger point in a hard-to-reach place, like my neck or upper back. You would not believe how much of a lifesaver one of these mobility tools can be!
The best thing is, you can use a Theracane while taking a Zoom call or watching TV, so it gets a lot more use than you would think. I’m not the type to ask anyone else to give me shoulder rub (they’ll do it wrong anyway lol), so my favorite thing is to use the hooked part to dig into my tight traps and release them exactly where they needs attention.
Slant Board
Tight calves are the bane of many people’s existence, so a Wooden Slant Board is a great addition to your home gym. Whether you use it to target your quads better during squats or just get a great calf stretch, you can’t go wrong with this sturdy piece of exercise equipment.
Fun fact: you can place it under your desk to get a calf stretch while you work! This targets the soleus muscle, which is often overlooked and/or hard for people to get in other ways.
It’s important to have a cushy, sturdy surface to do things like stretching a core work on. This Polar Aurora mat is taking it back to the 80s and giving major gym class vibes.
I just ordered this sturdy-looking gymnastics mat for my home workout space, and I’m pumped to try it for all my ab exercises, stretching, yoga, Pilates, and (geriatric) tumbling activities!
Now you’ve got a good idea about what a basic workout-from-home situation looks like. All you have to do now is get those workouts and stay consistent. You’ve got this!
If you’re looking for workout inspiration or exercises to do, check out my YouTube channel. There are hudreds of videos and exercise demonstrations there.
There is also the OMNIFUNCTION app, which is a way we can work together from anywhere, doing a program that is made just for you (this means that we work and try to address any injuries, goals, or mobility issues you have).