10 Essential Items for a Great Home Gym

So you're ready for a home gym?! Congratulations on making a great decision, and your investment will pay for itself quickly. With all its monthly fees, travel time, peak hours, peacock shows, creepy eyes, meatheads, COVID-19, and 'who TF didn't wipe their sweat off of this?!' moments, visiting the gym is downright exhausting. You'll appreciate the freedom of training at home, and it's unlikely that you'll ever return to a public gym. Let's plan your home gym. Here's my top 10 list of HAMLETTE FITNESS approved fitness tools for a great home gym (and physique)!

 

Exercise Mats

These mats are the cornerstone of all your workouts. They will protect you, the floor, and your equipment at once. I appreciate that I can sweat there instead of on my carpet or anywhere else, and they are easy to clean. You can pay for different thicknesses and multiple packages to fit your space. One pack of mats covers a 4x6 ft area, using six 24" squares. I use 12 mats under an Olympic weight set, a bench, and a weight rack. With light rearranging, I have space for yoga and groundwork. I could use another, but I like to be intentional with the available space. Be careful not to skimp on pricing, or the puzzle pieces may not fit correctly. I generally wouldn't spend less than about $25/pack as the quality difference is clear.

 

Dumbbells/Kettlebells

Dumbbells and kettlebells are the Swiss Army knives of fitness! They are usable tools that are portable, too! You can start with one and collect more, or find a set of moderate weights for all your work. Adjustable dumbbells are great because you can add and subtract weight on demand. Kettlebells challenge you differently due to their construction and weight distribution. Mostly, the bells are interchangeable for curls, swings, presses, and many other exercises. I use a 50 lb kettlebell when I need to get some work done and use adjustable weights otherwise.

 

Adjustable Bench

An adjustable bench is a game-changer because you can now perform incline and decline exercises. You'll add a myriad of new pulls and presses to train your body from different angles. I recommend an adjustable bench with a preacher curl pad and a leg extension pad. An extension is not a necessity, but you'll enjoy the option. The added luxury doesn't take up much more space than the standalone bench, but it will (likely) require additional weights as you get stronger. Get the adjustable bench to modify your lifts and find new ways to challenge yourself!

 

Stereo

You can upgrade from the earbuds and studio headphones. Those are cool for taking laps around the neighborhood, but this isn't that. The zone is yours here, and who will check you about your music? I recommend something other than a cellphone. A shelf system, boom box, microsystem, or Bluetooth speaker is a great addition. If versatility is a must, a Bluetooth speaker is portable, and many brands pack big sound into a little package. Get something you can hear and feel that will power you through your workout. Having the right tunes is that important. Besides, you'll get more juice out of your jam coming through the speakers than you will from any workout powder. I said that.

 

Stability Ball

I like the stability ball because it's a multipurpose fitness tool. You can use it where a bench isn't available for multiple upper-body exercises, or it can be a great accessory. The stability ball is a great, low-impact way to train and strengthen lower back muscles and spine. The stability ball will help improve posture and enhance flexibility with use. It provides a powerful yet non-intimidating means to build a strong body. Get one!

 

Power Tower

The Power Tower is probably my favorite piece of equipment on this list. If you have a small space, this allows a location for pullups, pushups, dips, leg lifts, and more. The power tower is a humbling piece of equipment, and it will cut you up. I'm talking about calisthenics, which strengthens everything. These are some of the exercises that help give gymnasts and aerialists their powerhouse physique. Performing calisthenics provides total body strength and encourages lean muscle. It also strengthens joints to better resist injury. If I had to choose one piece of fitness equipment to keep in my home, I'd choose the power tower for its strength, endurance, and cardio benefits.

 

EZ Curl Bar

Don't let the name fool you. The EZ bar will give you a workout! You can adjust your grip to hit multiple angles or use it like the barbell. Squats, deadlifts, and other lifts compound lifts require less space. Combine it with an adjustable bench for various heavy presses and rows. Curls are still an option, but you can hit that reverse curl, too. Fixed-weight curl bars are available in many gyms, and you'll find them stacked on a barbell rack. On vacation, I bring the EZ bar as its low profile makes it easy to grab and go. I leave it in the trunk during road trips, and it assembles quickly at training time.

 

Jump Rope

Old school and still undefeated! Jumping rope isn't like it was when we were kids. It was easy back then. Now, there are new challenges and more calories to burn. You can find some crazy routines and videos on YouTube! Jumping rope burns almost as many calories as a moderate jog. The jump rope goes EVERYWHERE, and you can clock in and go to work. In time, you'll have better coordination, better conditioning, and an increased bone density- which we need with age. I recommend starting with a speed rope for any skill level. The classic jump rope is elementary and less responsive in the zone, and you'll upgrade quickly with use. There's also a beaded jump rope, but it's slightly better than the classic one. Plus, the speed rope will give you a nice smack in the shins to remind you to keep your feet up when they get lazy. Thank me later!

 

Punching Bag

You've arrived when your dilemma is choosing the punching bag for your home gym. You have a nice layout, and you can do almost everything you want in there. A punching bag would be nice, right? You'll find heavy bags, speed bags, and punching dummies in combat classes or MMA training centers. If you have extra space, you can put one in your home and really torch calories. I use the speed bag because I find its rhythm hypnotic, and I love how it requires a little finesse. It requires some focus, patience, and restraint to get it right. Conversely, I recently discovered a wall-mount punching target that looks DOPE! ... you can throw uppercuts and everything on a large target in minimal space. I can get down with that primal junk, too!

 

Battle Ropes

Now you're just showing off, but the ropes are the cherry on top of your fitness sundae! They are portable, and you can use them almost anywhere for a great workout. The drawback is that they are typically 40-50 feet long and weigh as much as 50 pounds. Transporting is nearly as intensive as using them, but that's part of the allure. You only pick these up for sadistic fun. Many people have seen the battle ropes but have never used them. Putting them in motion will build total-body strength and endurance in a simple (yet brutal) way that you can't help but love. I recommend them for garage or outdoor use as there may not be enough indoor space to spread out. Get a battle rope! It isn't as intimidating as it looks, but the battle rope will keep you humble.

 

These are your first ten home gym essentials, updated for 2024! Let's make it happen! You may benefit from platforms like Craig's List and OfferUp, where people part with valuable equipment for little or no cost. I once paid $100 for 230 lbs of Olympic weights just like that! I hope you enjoy the freedom of exercising at home! What did I forget, and do you agree with my list? What's in your home gym? Leave a comment below!