I don’t know about you, but when I hear the words ‘home gym,’ I have this vision of a huge room with custom flooring, mirrors, weight benches, a full set of dumbbells, kettlebells, barbells and let’s not forget the treadmill and spin bike. Obviously very few among us have such a luxury! But to get a great workout, you don’t need all the bells and whistles of a custom home gym.
I’ve trained many clients in their own home and I always tell them, so long as you have enough space to lay down a yoga mat, then anything you own on top of that is just a bonus. I thought today I’d give you a look into what makes up my home gym essentials, my luxury items and what’s on my wish list, just so you can see how a personal trainer makes working out in the living room work. (And don’t forget to check out this round-up of six awesome at-home workouts, the first in a new monthly series of workouts!)
Heads up, included in this post are Amazon affiliate links (if you buy something in this post on Amazon via my link, I get a small commission at no cost to you). Obviously, everything in this post is also owned by me and recommended by me!
THE BASICS
This section is so short and sweet! It’s just one thing I suggest you have when starting an exercise program (and honestly, you could get away without it for a while, too). It’s a yoga mat
Whether you have carpet or hardwood, you need a yoga mat so you don’t slip and so you contain your sweat in one easy-to-clean place. (Gross, but true.) It’s really the one basic you definitely should have to get started on a home workout area.
THE NICE-TO-HAVES
In a perfect world, you could work out with body weight only for good. In reality, though, unless you have an excellent knowledge of how to progress body weight workouts, sooner or later you will need to add some resistance to your exercises.
Enter resistance bands
This Perfect Bands Kit
You can also make your own resistance bands by purchasing separately a roll of resistance band and the handles – this way, if you want to also make a loop for exercises like monster walks, or for placing over your knees or help with form during squats, you will have that option as well. Try these bands
Dumbbells
Ankle weights
Recovery is as important as working out, so it’s a good idea to invest a little research and money into making sure you have some tools for self-myofascial release, so you know you’re giving your body a head start in the recovery and rebuilding phase. In the photo below, you can see a basic foam roller
A jump rope 
THE SPLURGES
The BOSU Balance Trainer
A TRX 
And that’s my collection of home gym essentials! I don’t use all of them (or sometimes even any of them) for every workout, but they all get taken out sooner or later when I’m switching up my workouts. If you exercise at home regularly, it’s worth it to invest in some extra equipment to add variety and resistance to your workouts.
What do you swear by for at-home workouts?
What would be your splurge item for a home gym?
It sounds silly but cheap and everywhere??
2 old dish towels to use to sliiiide and work the core!!
Carla recently posted…Are we only as sick as our secrets?
Yes!! I was so excited that our new place has hardwood (our old apartment was carpeted) so I could use this trick again! I used to work in a fancy gym and my clients would think it was hilarious when I’d grab handtowels and take them to a mat to do sliding lunges and things. Then they’d start doing the moves and they didn’t think it was so funny anymore.
Carly Pizzani recently posted…Home Gym Essentials – The Best Gear for Working Out at Home
Great equipment for at home gym. My favorite piece of equipment I have is my treadmill. I am lucky that I have enough space to have me. Although I still have not gotten a BOSU ball. That is on my list.
lacey@fairytalesandfitness.com recently posted…How Running Enhances Lives
Having a treadmill at home is my DREAM. One day!! 🙂
Carly Pizzani recently posted…Home Gym Essentials – The Best Gear for Working Out at Home
Nice 🙂 At least now I know I am not the only crazy one with an ottoman full of working out stuff 😛
Ellen @ Tale of Two Runs recently posted…Favourite track workouts!
When I put it all together to start taking the photos, I realized just how much stuff I’d accumulated!! ha ha
Carly Pizzani recently posted…Home Gym Essentials – The Best Gear for Working Out at Home
We are currently designing a home gym in our new house so this post was perfect timing!!!!
Jesica @rUnladylike recently posted…Moving On Up
Ohhh, Jesica that is so awesome!! If it was me, I would be looking at putting in wall anchors and ceiling anchors. You can use them for resistance bands, TRX, even a punching bag. That’s going to be amazing!! 🙂
Carly Pizzani recently posted…Home Gym Essentials – The Best Gear for Working Out at Home
I’ve got a fairly decent collection of home gym items. My only issue is the motivation and time to use them. Excuses, excuses, excuses.
Char recently posted…The PB That Wasn’t
Ha ha ha, yes, that’s definitely an important factor!! 😉
Great list! I love resistance bands and dumbbells. I also find a playground ball to be really helpful for targeting inner thighs and using as support for my back during core exercises, especially while pregnant.
That’s a great idea, Brittany! Love using the squooshy ball for abdominal work.
Hi Carly, Like you I’m an expat Aussie living in Thailand. My go to home gym is my yoga mat and free weight dumbbells. I also find there are a lot of good videos on yoga and pilates found on youtube. Thanks for sharing!
Kylie recently posted…Top 5 Best Treadmills Under $1,000
Yes! Good call on youtube videos! Those and some of the free and inexpensive workout sites are great for when you don’t have access to a gym. Lucky you, in Thailand! I’ve never been but it looks beautiful! 🙂
Carly Pizzani recently posted…High Five Friday – Runtastic
I think it’s interesting that you recommended having a yoga mat no matter what exercises you’re doing. However, your explanation makes sense. Usually, regardless of if you’re doing cardio or weight training, you’ll want to stretch before and after your workout. Having a solid, slip-resistant place to do so can be nice. Thanks for the tips!
I couldn’t agree more. But I thought that you could slip anyway – also with a yoga mat. But yeah – for scretching. Why not? I tried and I didn’t like it. I don’t know, it just didn’t feel right for me. But anyone should try it. Maybe it would hep you to exercise 🙂
Hi, My yoga mat and some form of resistance band is all I need. Thanks for sharing!
Kylie recently posted…Walk On The Wild Side – Meditating In Nature
This is such a perfect timing! I’m working out at home now as I do not have the time to go to the gym. Thanks a lot for sharing this!
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Hello Carly,
It’s really good to know how we could set up a home amazing gym with very affordable investment. I also blog on fitness and equipment. Owning such can really be very expensive and the reason why so many shy away from developing their own gym.
Thanks for the insight. Looking forward to link to this write up on one of my next blog post.
I love working out with dumbbells. It’s much more fun. But I agree – you always need to think about your safety.. 🙂
jump rope is really useful for daily workout.
Hi Carly,
From one Aussie to another, I love your blog. An excellent list of basic equipment and simple ideas for anyone wanting to keep fit and healthy. I am not in your target group, as being a young father is a lovely but distant memory, but I can see how your followers must appreciate what you are doing. I am focussing on your grandmother/father, and those ready and able to create a home gym and make sure that they remain fit, healthy and mentally engaged for many years to come.