Ultimate guide to best home gym equipment
Discover all home gym equipment
Whether cardio's on the cards, you're on a muscle-building mission, or just looking to begin some basic mobility exercises - learn all about treadmills to cross trainers and dumbbells to wearable weights. We've covered all the essentials for a home gym setup to help achieve your fitness goals.
Essential home gym machines
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Exercise bikes
Exercise bikes are great for lower body workouts, as they help you tone your legs and bum whilst burning calories. Get started with a basic manual exercise bike. If you work out regularly, go for a mid-level exercise bike with features like heart rate monitoring and electronic or magnetic resistance. Want to level up? Pick an air bike or a programmable bike with bigger flywheels that give you serious training options.
Treadmills
Treadmills allow you to exercise - walk, run or climb from the comfort of your own home. A smaller, entry-level model would be perfect for walking and light jogging. If you want a slight incline, choose a mid-level model. Advanced treadmills with 132-160cm belts are ideal for taller individuals. These are programmable and great for endurance training.
Rowing machines
Rowing machines provide a full-body workout, engaging all the major muscle groups. They work on both strength and cardiovascular fitness simultaneously, accelerating calorie burn while helping to tone and improve stamina. They're also low impact, with very little strain placed on your joints and, because of the wide range of motion required, rowing machines can even improve flexibility.
Multi-gyms
With multi-gyms, you can perform numerous workouts to target different areas of your body. Generally, the more advanced they are, the greater the ability to hone specific muscle groups to fine-tune the effects of your exercise. Multi-gyms can also give you a full-body workout to a gym standard.
Cross trainers
Cross trainers are exercise machines that simulate walking, running or stair-climbing. They work your upper and lower body simultaneously, providing a full-body workout. Look for the flywheel weight and pre-set programmes to choose an ideal cross trainer for your workout goals.
Treadmill vs exercise bike
Treadmills
- A simple walk, a quick jog, or an intense run- when it comes to a full-body cardio workout at home, a treadmill is second to none.
- The padded surface and the ability to adjust speed and incline makes using a treadmill easier on your joints, compared to running outside.
- It’s also easy to monitor your progress with features like heart rate and calorie trackers.
- If space's a concern, you can opt for a foldable treadmill that works like a charm for even a compact room.
- Whether you are an intermediate or advanced fitness enthusiast, or someone looking for a high-intensity cardio workout, a treadmill will help you achieve your fitness goals.
Exercise bikes
- If you are looking for a low-impact and low-risk cardio workout, an exercise bike is a perfect choice.
- You don’t have to worry about traffic, changing tires, or even weather. Just hop on the machine and get going. Watch TV, scroll through insta, or close your eyes with music on. Do what you like while you pedal away.
- Compared to other cardio machines, an exercise bike is compact. It’s ideal if you are short of space.
- From upright bikes that let you imitate outdoor cycling to recumbent bikes that support your back to spin bikes best for interval and strength training. There's an array of options for both beginners and pros.
Small space workout equipment
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Steppers
Steppers let you engage in aerobic exercise while building lower body strength and overall stamina along the way. Ideal for beginners and intermediates, they also don't take up much space and can be tucked into any corner.
Resistance bands
Resistance bands are great for pilates practice and adding extra difficulty to non-equipment exercises. While these can help tone your muscles, resistance bands also effectively strengthen many muscle groups making them ideal for rehabilitation.
Wearable weights
Intensify exercises with wearable weights. You can even pop them on when on a walk to transform basic movements into a workout. Choose from ankle and wrist weights or go for a weighted vest if you're focusing on your core.
Skipping ropes
Skipping not just burns calories but also improves your stamina, focus, and mood. What's more, it's super fun too. Pick from our selection of jumping ropes to add some variety to your workout.
Gym balls
Highly effective for core strength, you can work with the gym ball alone to improve balance or introduce weights to add elements of strength and coordination.
Toning accessories
Improve muscle flexibility with slimming belts and vibration plates. These help keep your muscles tight and tonned especially if you're on a weightloss journey.
Top gym equipment picks
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Pick up essential home gym accessories
Post workout recovery essentials
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Foam rollers
Decompress using foam rollers to relieve tight and sore muscles. Exercises and stretches using foam rollers can extensively improve your joint and muscle mobility, ultimately aiding in muscle recovery.
Yoga mats
Whether it's post-workout cool down stretches or mobility exercises for rehabilitation - stretching is crucial for muscle recovery. It helps improve blood circulation and improves flexibility to loosen stiff muscles.
Massage guns
Massages can make the muscle recovery process faster and alleviate severe pain related to muscle knots. Explore handheld massage guns or massage chairs to help relax impacted muscles and improve its mobility.
Frequently asked questions about home gym equipment
What machine burns the most belly fat?
Cardio machines can help the most in targeting overall body fat and improve metabolic health. Click here for more information on how to lose belly fat.
What equipment is best for home workout?
Cardio machines such as treadmills, exercise bikes, and rowing machines are great for home cardio workouts. For weight training and high intensity home workouts, dumbbells, resistance bands, and kettlebells are a great companion.
What is the best full body workout machine for home?
Multi-gyms, barbells, and cross training machines are the most effective full body workout machines. Some of the more compact, space savvy machines are ideal for home workouts.
What is the best exercise equipment for small spaces?
Foldable treadmills, exercise bikes, and inflatable exercise balls are some of the great options for small space gyms. Adjustable weights and multi-gyms can also be space efficient, ready to be folded away when not in use.
What are the must-haves for a home gym?
When setting up a home gym make sure you cover all workout equipment based on your routine. Some of the must-haves are dumbbells, kettlebells, resistant bands, and a treadmill or an exercise bike. These are essential for basic cardio and weight training at home.
Is it safe to walk around with ankle weights all day?
It is best to avoid wearing ankle weights all day as it can cause muscle fatigue and risk joint and ligament injuries. Click here to learn the best ways to use an ankle weight. Always consult a professional for best recommendations ensuring safety and optimum results.
What is the best floor for a home gym?
Rubber and form are the most used materials for gym flooring, rubber tiles being the most popular choice. A recommended thickness for the padding is 8mm. Make sure that the gym floor installed securely, protects the subfloor well, and does not slip and slide during workouts.
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