A mat
If you want to get in shape at home, you will absolutely need a mat. There are two different kinds our experts recommended: a yoga mat and a jump mat. The latter being a bit thicker and used for more intense exercises like plyometrics and core work. It can also double as a yoga mat if you prefer a little more cushioning.
“I like to sweat, so if I’m purchasing a mat for in-home use, that means heat on high,” says Olivia Young, a certified yoga teacher and founder of NYC studio Box + Flow.”I personally love the Lululemon Reversible 5 MM mat. It’s extra absorbent and is so comfortable you can use it on any type of floor.”
There’s also the question of where to place your mat. If you have enough room in your bedroom, it can work. But experts will tell you to try and make the living room a space for fitness and leave the bedroom for sleeping. Robert Lemus, professional bodybuilder and editor of Simple Fitness Hub, recommends converting your living room into a workout space, “With a few quick changes, your living room can be converted into a home gym. Move big furniture to the side of the room, allowing you enough space to stand and have a yoga mat on the ground. This can be an excellent space to work out, especially if you like to exercise while binge watching Netflix.” Obviously, if you have roommates, this could be a tad more difficult.
And if you’re the type of person who likes to play video games whilst blasting your core on a mat, It’s a core-destroyer that you throw your phone into and play interactive games as you plank. It’s also incredibly difficult (at first), but that just adds to the fun.
As for the jump mat, this should be placed in an area that allows for plenty of range of motion. Fitness and nutrition experts Ryan and Alex, who “have been working out from home for the better part of a decade nearly every day,” recommend this jump mat for more intense workouts like P90X and other plyometric programs.
Resistance bands
This is another core piece of equipment that should be a part of everyone’s home gym. “Resistance bands are a must in an apartment gym, they take up very little room, and are extremely versatile, and cost effective,” says Jamie Hickey, certified personal trainer/nutritionist and founder of Truism Fitness. “They come in a variety of resistance levels from very light to extremely heavy making it so that you will always have an option to challenge you.”
Here’s a great set that even comes with online workout videos to get you started. Resistance bands can also be used in lieu of weights, according to Ryan and Alex. “Weightlifting workouts can be done with free weights or resistance bands,” they say. “Regardless of what you do, make sure you have a structured plan that covers all parts of the body, instead of doing a few reps of bicep curls or lunges, here or there.”
One other item that came highly recommended was the TRX All-in-One System. It’s favored for its versatility in that it can be used for push/pull routines for the upper body, lower body hamstrings and glutes routines, and core routines. It’s easy to install, too, if you have a door that can support weight.
A resistance band bar setup
According to Marstaller, sometimes the best solution for at-home fitness is to create a DIY workout machine by combining multiple items. In this case, you’ll need three—resistance loop bands, a bar, and a step platform.
The result is a more comfortable, more efficient approach to resistance band training. With this simple setup, you can take on various exercises like deadlifts, bicep curls and squats, and the additions of the bar and platform ensure that you’ll standardize the stretch of your bands for consistent reps.
To learn more about what you’ll need and how to set it up and use, plus some exercises to try, check out the tutorial on the GamerBody YouTube channel.
A jump rope
“Every apartment gym needs a good liquorice jump rope,” says Tommy Duquette, co-founder and trainer at Fightcamp and former US National Boxing Champion. “The Money Rope from Rush Athletics (inspired by Floyd Mayweather) is an inexpensive jump rope preferred by boxers—it’s performant, lightweight, and perfect for both beginners and advanced users. I use this every day to supplement my workouts and keep my feet moving on days I might not be able to get a full workout in.” The Money Rope sells out quickly so if you need a solid alternative, check out the Sonic Boom Rope.
Consider yourself an advanced user? Allow us to introduce you to the Crossrope (seriously this thing will kick your ass). Now, for the sake of brevity, we won’t get too in the weeds with that kind of jump rope you should get since they’re all so similar, but aside from The Money Rope, there’s an offering from WOD Nation that one reviewer raved about: “One of the best speed ropes I have ever used! Great for single unders, double unders, and even triple unders. The rope is smooth and very fast and has enough weight to give you momentum on your swings. It is a fantastic product!”
Dumbbells
If you’re looking to break out of bodyweight exercises all day, a set of dumbbells is just what you need. Certified personal trainer Danny Saltos (who runs the IG account TrainWithDanny) recommends Bowflex’s adjustable dumbbells, which are adjustable from 5lbs to 52.5lbs each. “Adjustable dumbbells add a little heat to your routine. Space saving and asskicking,” he says. “These dumbbells will give you and your partner the ability to go light or go heavy.”
As an alternative, Powerblock makes a similar adjustable set (though they have gone up in price). And if you’re curious as to why adjustable weights are the way to go, Young says that the “easiest way to keep challenging the body from workout to workout is simply to add more load and weight to the exercise.” And if you have the extra room, Amazon has a large selection of adjustable weights to choose from.
Ultimately, the most fun you can have working out is when you can get creative with your routines.
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