Working out at home is convenient and affordable, but if you're not careful it can also be boring and unsafe. To make sure that doesn't happen, we’ve rounded up a list of five pieces of equipment that will help you get fit at home for less than $100 total.
Dumbbells
Dumbbells are weights that you can use at home to get a full-body workout. They're especially good for building strength and toning your muscles, but they can also be used to increase flexibility and endurance.
Dumbbells come in various sizes, from light to heavy. The weight of a dumbbell depends on its size: the smaller it is, the lighter it will be while larger dumbbells tend to be heavier than smaller ones.
There are two main types of dumbbells: adjustable and fixed-weighted. Both have advantages over each other depending on how much space you have available in your home gym or workout area!
Exercise ball
The exercise ball is a great tool to have in your fitness toolkit. It can be used for core strength, balance, and even stretching.
- Use it for balance and core strength by standing on the ball with feet shoulder width apart. Make sure you keep good posture as you balance yourself on the ball. Do some gentle movements back and forth or side to side that make sure your entire core is engaged in stabilizing the movement.
- Roll out tight muscles by lying across the top of an exercise ball with both feet flat on floor (or use another stable surface) and hands behind head in a comfortable position.
- Do crunches or sit-ups on an exercise ball instead of traditional crunching/sit-up exercises that require lots of equipment such as dumbbells or weight bench.
You could also use them as chairs if needed!
Resistance bands
Resistance bands are a great way to build muscle and strength without having to buy expensive equipment. Resistance bands are a convenient, portable and inexpensive way to add resistance training to your workout routine. They're also great for exercising while traveling or when you just don't have the space in your home gym. Resistance bands come in all different levels of resistance, so you can choose one that suits your needs. If you're just starting out, it's best to opt for a lighter band; once you get stronger, move up to the next level.
The best part about using resistance bands is that they fit in any space: You don't need much room at all! They also take up little space when stored away (and won't take up any room at all if left out on display).
Resistance-band exercises are simple but effective--you can do them almost anywhere without worrying about crashing into anything or knocking anything over in your home gym area because there isn't one!
Resistance bands come in several different sizes, so it's important that you choose one that is appropriate for your needs. The more tension on a resistance band, the more difficult it will be to stretch out and use for exercises like squats or lunges (which require more range of motion).
Yoga mat
Yoga mats are an affordable and versatile piece of equipment. They can be used for stretching, yoga and pilates, or even pushups or sit-ups. They're easy to clean and store away when not in use.
Jump rope
Jump rope is a great cardio workout. Jumping rope can help you improve your footwork and coordination, which will benefit other sports you play, like basketball or tennis. Jumping rope is also a great way to lose weight and tone your body.
The jump rope is an inexpensive piece of equipment that can be used by children and adults alike. You can use it as a warm up before other exercises or just keep jumping in place during commercials while watching TV!
Jumping rope is an excellent cardiovascular exercise, which means that it helps improve your heart health and circulation. It’s also an effective way to burn calories, especially if you use a weighted rope or increase the intensity of your jumping. You can jump rope for just one minute at a time or work up to longer workouts.
Pull-up bar
A pull-up bar is one of the most versatile pieces of equipment you can buy. It can be used for a variety of exercises, such as chin ups, pull ups and hanging leg raises. The beauty of this piece is that it doesn't take up much space--you can get away with having one in your bedroom if you're tight on space--and it doesn't require any special installation procedures (unless you want to install it permanently).
Foam roller
The foam roller is a great tool for self-massage and soft tissue mobilization. It's also really helpful in stretching muscles and ligaments, which can help improve your range of motion.
If you're new to using one, start out by rolling your lower back and hamstrings (the backs of your thighs). Then move on to the upper back, shoulders and arms--you can even roll out any knots in your neck if needed!
You should aim for about three minutes per body part before moving on; this will help ensure that all areas are adequately addressed without over-stressing any one area too much or getting into pain territory where it becomes counterproductive instead of beneficial. The more often you use a foam roller when training at home, the better results will be over time as scar tissue breaks down more easily than healthy tissue does due to its lack of elasticity (that's why athletes often get sore after vigorous workouts).
Conclusion
With these fitness tools, you can get a great workout in your own home. They are affordable, versatile and easy to use. You don't have to join a gym or spend hours driving there every day when you have these items at hand!
