Build an effective home gym with seven versatile pieces of exercise equipment. From dumbbells to resistance bands, these are the top home gym items to build strength at home.
Strength training workouts at home are my thing. They’re the reason NML exists — my goal has always been to make fitness accessible to everyone.
Home workouts can be just as effective as gym workouts. You can build strength and muscle at home with some basic equipment.
If you’re thinking about building a home gym from scratch, these are my ‘essential’ home exercise equipment picks.
I highly recommend dumbbells and resistance bands because they’re versatile, affordable and practical tools for strength training. A range of dumbbells allows you to change the weight as needed. Resistance bands can be used to target smaller, stabilizing muscles.
The best piece of exercise equipment for strength training at home is a set of dumbbells. Dumbbell exercises often mimic real-life movements, making them useful for functional strength training. Dumbbells are generally compact and take up minimal space, making them suitable for home gyms with limited room.
In addition to dumbbells and resistance bands, I recommend the following: an exercise mat to provide support for floor exercises such as pilates, stretching and core workouts. And a stability ball to help improve core strength, balance and stability.
Strength training is the name of the game for all seasons of life. You can work EVERY muscle in the body at home with just a set of dumbbells (lifting weights is the number one thing you can do to build strength and definition).
A kettlebell is another great option to mix up your home workouts. (Note that you can do all kettlebell workouts with a single dumbbell.)
In all of my strength training workouts I use a medium to heavy set of dumbbells.
Whether you’re pregnant, recovering from an injury, or are a beginner, adding a plyo box/bench is a great way to modify exercises.
You can use a plyo box to add an incline to core exercises, which will help reduce the pressure on your core as you work to advance moves.
I personally used a plyo box during my knee recovery to continue building strength and get my heart rate up during injury-friendly strength workouts.
For a discount on my Torque Plyo Box use code: NMLTF5
You can achieve your pull up goals at home with this doorframe pull-up bar.
Pull ups are one of the most effective exercises to strengthen back muscles and sculpt your shoulders, forearms and chest.
Back workouts for women can improve posture and core strength, increase muscle mass and definition, and help prevent injury and back pain.
That said, pull ups require consistency. I highly recommend a pull up bar at home if you’re serious about your pull up goals.
I love my extra large yoga mat. It provides plenty of space to move on and helps protect your joints (and wood floors).
I have an extra large mat (8′ x 4′ x 1/4″).
For a discount on my Gorilla Mats (affiliate) Yoga Mat, use code: NourishMoveLove
Mini loop resistance bands are a great piece of home gym equipment to work BOTH the large and small muscles during resistance band workouts.
I prefer standard mini loop resistance bands for upper body workouts and fabric resistance bands for lower body workouts.
Pull up assistance bands help boost muscular strength and endurance to progress you to bodyweight pull ups.
For a discount on Hope Fitness Gear Bands, use code: NML
Foam rolling is a self-massage technique commonly used by physical therapists and personal trainers. This form of stretching releases tension, sore muscles, and knotted muscles in ways that traditional (or passive) stretching cannot.
Foam roller stretches help increase range of motion, decrease post-exercise soreness, and help in injury prevention and muscle recovery.
A stability ball is an excellent way for expecting moms to safely strengthen their core and lower body.
The exercise ball is a multifunctional piece of equipment and is one of my favorite pregnancy products for all trimesters.
I personally prefer the 55cm or 65cm exercise ball.
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