Home Workout Equipment

Looking to set up your home gym? Here are my equipment recommendations for (mostly) strength training workouts for beginner to novice exercisers in small spaces.

NOTES:

  • This post was last updated 1/21/2021 – prices and availability may have changed.
  • I do not receive any commission or compensation for these recommendations.
  • I have personally used, or my clients have been using every item listed below except for starred items *

The Basics

Total Cost: Around $100

If all you have in your home gym are these items, you will be able to do an almost infinite amount of exercises!

Yoga / Exercise Mat

Thin

Pros – Has grip, and not too thick to balance on

Cons – Can hurt if you have sensitive knees, hands, elbows

Aurorae non-slip mat – although it’s more expensive, I’ve had this mat for 4 1/2 years with daily use and it’s held up really, really well.

Thick

Pros – Good for sensitive knees, hands, elbows

Cons – More difficult to balance on (but this might be a pro if you want to improve balance!)

BalanceFrom extra thick mat

Resistance Bands

With Handles

Pros – No need to swap handles when switching between exercises

Cons – More difficult to hold multiple bands if you want to double up/ triple up to increase intensity; handles on takes up more space when traveling

Black Mountain Products Set of 5 Bands with Handles + Door Anchor

Interchangeable Handles

Pros – Can easily hold single handle with multiple bands attached for increasing resistance

Cons – Time consuming to switch out bands, which can be annoying if doing a circuit that requires 2 or 3 different resistances

Black Mountain Products Set of 5 Bands Interchangeable Handles + Door Anchor

Door Anchor

Most resistance bands come with a door anchor – read the instructions closely to understand how it works.

If you have a big space between your door and the frame, it’s worth it to buy a higher quality anchor like this one.

Goliton Door Anchor

Important Note: Be sure to only use doors that close towards you when anchoring your bands (if the door opens towards you, the door could open and the bands will come right at you!).

If you plan on adding a lot of resistance (more than the heaviest band in your kit) consider anchoring with eyelet anchors to a stud in your wall * (you’ll need one at ankle, chest, and ceiling heights).

Foam Roller – Long Size – 36″

Amazon Basics 36″ Foam Roller

Unless you plan on packing it in your suitcase, don’t bother buying a short/half-size foam roller. The variety of movements you can do with a long roller that you can’t do with a short roller far outweighs the slightly increased cost.

Nice to Have

All of the items below are not necessary for building strength, but are nice to have to increase variety, complexity, and challenge.

Dumbbells and Kettlebells

I much prefer dumbbells and kettlebells over bands, but they are expensive and take up a lot of space. I always recommend starting with bands, then investing in dumbbells and kettlebells as you need.

Important Note: Unless you do a ton of rehab/corrective exercises, don’t bother with buying weights less than 10 pounds. Because the bands take care of all of your resistance training needs below 10 pounds, focus on purchasing larger/heavier dumbbells and kettlebells when you’re ready.

Also note that you don’t have to buy dumbbells or kettlebells in pairs; you can make due with 1 of each in different weights if you want to save money or space.

Where to Buy

A really good deal for dumbbells and kettlebells is about $1 per pound.

I recommend you purchase these from a physical store, Nextdoor, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace since you’ll save a ton in shipping.

Look for handles that aren’t chipped, since the metal can start to rust easily at that point. If they are chipped, clean the area with isopropyl alcohol and cover with electrical tape.

Here’s a suggested order of priority in purchasing weights (assuming you already have a set of bands):

Batch 1

1 kettlebell or 1-2 dumbbells about 10% of your bodyweight (for pressing, rowing, beginner squats and swinging). For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, buy a single 10kg kettlebell (22 pounds) or 1 to 2 x 20 pound dumbbells.

1 kettlebell or 2 dumbbells about 25% of your body weight (deadlifts, advanced squats and swings). For example, if you weight 200 pounds, buy a single 24kg kettlebell) or 1 to 2 x 50 pound dumbbells.

Batch 2

1 kettlebell or 2 dumbbells in-between the weights you purchased in batch 1

1 kettlebell or 2 dumbbells heavier than batch 1

Batch 3

Start filling in weights needed between big jumps; start buying doubles of the single kettlebells so you can do double presses, rows, swings, etc.

Balance Pad

Balance pad (also great for kneeling exercises)

Sliders

If you have hardwood or tile, you can simply wear thick socks and slide.

Great for core exercises and single leg slideouts. Use the felt side for hardwood, tile, or linoleum; use the plastic side for carpeting.

Sliders made for exercise

If you already have large furniture sliders like these, you can use them for exercise, too.*

Booty Band / Resistance Band Loop

This small piece of equipment can make lower body and glute bodyweight exercises much more challenging (fire hydrants, bridges, clamshells)

Thick, Woven Style

Mark Bell Hip Circle

Note – I have large thighs (I wear 1X to 2X pants size) and the above brand large size works well for me. If you have smaller legs, buy the medium size or try this brand in size S/M.*

Pros – way more comfortable, more resistance, less likely to slide up/down

Cons – more expensive

Thin, Elastic Style

Pros – Easier to pack, less expensive so you can buy several different resistances

Cons- can dig into bare legs, tend to roll up/down legs

Sweet Sweat Mini Loop*

Agility Ladder

This easy to store item makes conditioning exercises fun! My clients of all ages and fitness levels really enjoy doing drills on this.

The ladder I bought several years ago is no longer available, so I’m recommending this one since it comes in a few different sizes, lays flat, and has great ratings.*

Yoga Blocks

Yoga blocks can come in handy with a several strength training and bodyweight exercises but aren’t essential.

Gaiam Blocks

Yoga Strap or Stretching Strap

If you struggle with flexibility, having a stretching strap or yoga strap can be really helpful. If you don’t want to spend the money, keep a belt, scarf, or towel handy as an alternative

Sankuu stretching strap

PVC Pipe or Wooden Dowel

Dowels are a wonderful item to have to stretch your shoulders, practice the overhead squat, and use for assistance in balance exercises.

You can use a longer broom or mop handle, or head to the hardware store and select a PVC pipe or wooden dowel that’s 3/4″ to 1″ in diameter and 4 feet to 6 feet long (the taller you are, the longer you’ll need so your arms can fully extend).