It is never too late to begin working out. If you have been slacking off a little bit, it’s easier to transition to an active lifestyle right at your home. Here are the 10 best pieces of equipment that are ideal for your at-home workouts. They will give you a ‘whole body workout’ and will help you get in the best physical shape of your life.
Benefits of Having Workout Equipments at Home
1. Active Brain
Doing cardio can give you a trim body and also gives your life a boost of productivity and energy. Doing 30 minutes of cardio will pump extra blood on your brain that delivers oxygen and nutrients it needs to perform at max production.
2. Healthy Body
It is not advisable that you run on the treadmill while zooming your boss, but doing a slow-paced walk is better than seating on your table the whole day while eating your favorite snacks. This way, you can still burn calories even you are at home.
3. Reduce Stress
Releasing endorphins regularly into your body is one of the best ways to reduce stress and anxiety. With that in mind, the best way to release endorphins is to do exercises. Did you get it right?
4. Saves you Money
Having workout equipment at home will save you from paying for gym memberships and saves you time because you do not have to commute just to go to the gym.
1. Dumbbells / Free Weights
Bowflex SelectTech 552
If you are going to buy a pair of dumbbells, buy Bowflex SelectTech. If your doing P90X, or any other home workout routine that requires you to switch weights, then these are a no-brainer. They combine 15 sets of weights into one, using a unique dial system which eliminates the need for multiple dumbbells cluttering your workout space.
You can adjusts each dumbbell from 5 pounds all the way to 52.5 pounds; with 2.5-pound increments up to the first 25 pounds and are strategically designed to let you easily switch from one exercise to the next.
2. Treadmill
LifeSpan TR 1200i
LifeSpan’s TR 1200i is the best treadmill we have found if you are planning on using a treadmill at home.
You get a strong running surface with whisper quiet 2.5 hp motor. A sleek, attractive looking easy to read Color LCD monitor, dual side handrail with speed and incline controls and a super easy folding system to save space wherever you wish to place this.
One of the great things I loved about this treadmill is that it runs extremely quiet even at decent running speeds and still feels solid and shake-free.
The multicolored LCD console tracks your time, calories, distance and speed.
If you have a goal of taking certain number of steps every day, the treadmill works like a pedometer and shows how many steps you’ve taken during your walking or running routine.
I love how it has incline and speed controls on the side bars (instead of the center). It’s convenient not have to reach up to the console, which can throw your balance off.
You can easily plugin your iPhone, iPod or MP3 player and listen to your desired music through its speakers.
It has an intelligent safety pause feature. It’s built-in sensor in the belt drive system automatically stops the treadmill after a predetermined number of seconds if you are no longer stepping on the belt.
Assembly is pretty straightforward. Because this is an expensive equipment, I was very happy with the warranty – lifetime on the frame and motor, 3 years on parts, 1 year on labor.
This is money well spent.
TR 1200i was selling for $1500, but the manufacturer recently slashed the price. If they are out of stock Online, you can buy one from eBay.
3. Fitness Tracker
Fitbit Wireless Wristband
The Fitbit Charge Wireless Activity Wristband tracks most of your daily activities like steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned, stairs climbed, and active minutes.
You can monitor your sleep as well and wake up with its subtle vibrating alarm.
I enjoy my everyday running and it has been very helpful to see real-time stats on time, distance, and pace to keep me focused and on track.
It syncs wirelessly (and automatically) to your smartphone or your computer so your stats are always up to date and updated to help you motivate towards your fitness goal.
You can get all your notifications including your calls on Fitbit charge. It’s stylish and looks great for all-day wear.
You can get it in Small (5.5-6.7 in) or Large (6.3-7.9 in) Online.
4. Running Watch
Garmin Forerunner 220
Garmin Forerunner 220 is an excellent tool and a great motivator for runners. It is a GPS running watch with a high-resolution color display and comfortable, lightweight, sleek design.
It has a low profile and works great as an all-day watch as well. I love how I can simply press the “Run” button a few times and get going.
Indoor treadmill tracking is pretty accurate. Just turn off the GPS and the watch will use the integrated Built-in accelerometer to track distance and pace.
If running outside, the live tracking feature allows you to easily let others track you through smartphone so they can see where you are on the route. I also like that when my iPhone is nearby, it automatically syncs and uploads to Garmin Connect. After completing a run, it lets you know when you achieve a personal record (longest run, fastest 5k, fastest mile, etc.)
It lets you customize your heart out if you want to – but if you are like me who just wants something that lets you get started, it will not overwhelm you.
I have worn many running watches but Garmin 220 has been the most convenient and useful so far.
5. Wireless Workout Headphones
JayBird BlueBuds X
The thing that I love the most about JayBird BlueBuds X Sport Bluetooth Headphones is that it gives you solid 8 hours of playtime, offering a full week of workouts, or a full day of listening. It’s not bulky and does not have big heavy batteries.
Its Shift Premium Bluetooth Audio technology delivers clear precise audio similar to wired audio performance – eliminating the white noise and delivering a clean audio experience.
The “Shift” technology makes it a simple pair and play, meaning, nothing special is required on your phone or music device, just standard Bluetooth and Shift takes care of the rest.
The SignalPlus technology lets you use your music device left/right side, above/below waist – anywhere on your body – it really does not matter. JayBird BlueBuds X comes without the traditional limitations of your body getting between the devices and blocking signal. You can even put your phone/music device in a bag at the gym and workout at a good distance without signal droppage.
I tried these headphones outside on a trail run. I subscribe to pandora’s premium service with higher quality audio and these sound fantastic.
And, if you are like me who sweats a lot, JayBird’s sweatproof – and to top that off – it comes with the lifetime warranty against sweat.
6. Water Bottle
Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Bottle
Lets get one thing straight – if you want to become physically fit – you need to drink water. And, lots of it.
Klean Kanteen is a simple, minimalistic, stylish stainless steel bottle that is a perfect container to keep you hydrated throughout the day. Carry it everywhere. You can get it in a variety of sizes but the 27 oz model fits most bottle holders.
It’s toxin free, non-leaching and BPA free.
I bought a 40 ounce bottle about 5 years ago and it still is in perfect condition. Not even a single dent.
The wide mouth makes it very easy to get a brush inside to clean and add ice-cubes for a hot day.
The cap is secure – with no leaks and you can feel comfortable carrying it inside a backpack. The body is dishwasher safe – but do not put the cap in dishwasher.
You can get the Klean Kanteen bottles in 18, 27, 40 and 64 ounces. It also comes in a wide variety of colors to suit your mood.
7. Smart Weight Scale
Withings WS-50 Smart Body Analyzer
The thing that I love about Withings WS-50 is that it not just a fancy scale, it is a smart Body analyzer that really helps you understand your body and where you stand.
It tracks your Weight, BMI and body fat. For accurate measurement, its patented technology that warns you if you are leaning too much.
You can check your heart rate simply by stepping on the scale. Moreover, you can assess your fitness level by reviewing your resting heart rate’s history.
It keeps a tab on your air quality and environment by tracking levels of indoor carbon-dioxide and temperature variances throughout the day.
It’s smart, and intuitive and getting started / setup is a breeze with the Health Mate app (iOS / Android) or on your PC. Your data is automatically uploaded and synced after each measurement via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.
The Health Mate app also acts as your pocket coach to help you focus on your goals. If you are already a fan of some other fitness app, it integrates with 60+ other health and fitness apps (like MyfitnessPal).
Withings WS-50 automatically recognizes up to 8 people in your family – so all you need is a single scale for everyone in your home. The easily-configurable privacy settings allow you to keep your readings private, email them to your doctor or even share your results via Facebook and twitter.
8. Exercise Ball
SKLZ Sport Performance Trainer Ball
SKLZ Sport Performance Trainer Ball comes printed with 16 trainer-designed exercises to work your core strength and flexibility.
The printed exercises come in pretty handy if you are like me and sometimes just don’t know what to do with the ball. The exercises offer sufficient diversity to target different muscle groups and also keep things interesting.
The ball is well made, durable and of decent size to accommodate most people.
It ships with a hand pump to get you started but it does take a while to blow this up if you don’t own an automatic pump.
9. Pull-Up Bar
Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar
The Iron Gym Total Upper Body Workout Bar is installed by using leverage to hold against the doorway so there are no screws and no damage to door. It is designed to fit residential doorways 24″ to 32″ wide with doorway trim or molding up to 3 ½ inches wide. The durable steel construction holds up to 300 lbs.
When installed in the doorway, the Iron Bar lets you perform pull-ups and chin-ups, with three grip positions – narrow, neutral, and wide specifically targeting your inner and outer back.
Once you’re done with your back, you can easily move the Iron Bar to the floor and perform push-ups while facing down, tricep dips while facing the other way, or sit-ups using the Iron Gym to secure your feet.
It’s currently on sale Online.
10. Suspension Training Kit
TRX Suspension Trainer Basic Kit + Door Anchor
We saved the best for the last. The TRX suspension training kit gives you everything you need to get a full-body workout at home.
Born in the Navy SEALs, Suspension Training body-weight exercise develops strength, balance, flexibility and core stability simultaneously. The TRX Suspension Trainer leverages gravity and the user’s body weight to complete hundreds of exercises. It’s so portable that you can use it anywhere. All you need is a door, a tree branch, or some easy anchor points.
The TRX is rated for up to 1000 pounds. A 65-minute Basic Training DVD and full-color 35-page Workout Guide get you started right away. It also comes with and 2 bonus workouts–the TRX Endurance Circuit and the TRX Metabolic Blast to keep you more focused and motivated towards your fitness goal.
The package contains TRX Suspension Training P2 Model, TRX Door Anchor, 65-minute Basic Training DVD, full-color 35 page Workout Guide, TRX Endurance Circuit & TRX Metabolic Blast bonus workouts and TRX Mesh Carrying Bag.
Emily Miller
Emily loves writing about photography and all things gadget. She loves playing with them too! Emily has over half a decade’s experience writing consumer reviews for gadgets and gears. Chief gadgets editor at WhatRocksAndWhatSucks.com, right now she is based out of a small but cozy apartment in New York City. Reach her at emily@wraws.com or on WhatRocksandWhatSucks.com.