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The COVID-19 pandemic changed people’s daily routines, including going to a fitness center. Gyms closed during the pandemic, forcing people to find alternative options at home. Fitness fanatics had to find ways to exercise at home. They probably realized it’s not difficult to work out at home, as long as you own the best equipment.
It can be confusing to know which exercise equipment you should have for your home gym. You’re used to going to a gym and the equipment is already accessible for you. So, what are the best equipment pieces for your home gym? Don’t worry. We have the answers, so you can still stay in shape at home.
AZURELIFE exercise core sliders
For the bodyweight trainers, the AZURELIFE exercise core sliders are the best equipment for your home gym. These sliders, also known as gliding discs, are perfect for planks and a basic core routine. Recommended by certified personal trainer Karisa Curtis, the sliders strengthen major muscle groups throughout the entire body. You’re not just strengthening your legs, but also your inner and outer thighs, butt and abdominal muscles.
The sliders resemble Frisbees and there are available options for both carpet and hardwood floors. They’re perfect for low-impact movement during your most intense workout routines.
“Gliding discs can be used to increase the intensity of a ton of different exercises, without adding any impact — a win for your joints and your downstairs neighbors,” said certified personal trainer Elizabeth Murphy. You can get the most out of using sliders by completing plank jacks, side-lunges, mountain climbers, speed skaters and push-ups.
Annhoo all-purpose dumbbells
One of the things you might miss about a fitness center is the assortment of weights and dumbbells. Weights help build and strengthen your muscles, so they are a necessity for your home gym. It’s difficult to find a reliable pair of dumbbells but the Annhoo all-purpose dumbbells are durable, versatile and they improve your form during every workout session.
“Dumbbells can be one of the most important pieces of equipment in any home gym, as they are both versatile and durable and are very space-efficient for apartments and small spaces,” said certified personal trainer and founder of TrainingMate Luke Milton. “There are hundreds of exercises you can do with a pair of dumbbells, including clean and press, bicep curls, chest presses, squats, deadlifts, renegade rows and tricep kickbacks.”
Like most exercise equipment, it takes a few trial runs to know if a set of dumbbells works for you and your fitness needs. If the Annhoo all-purpose dumbbells are uncomfortable for you, we also recommend Powerblock’s Elite dumbbells. They improve your curl form and they have a sturdy, comfortable grip.
The dumbbells work well for a variety of exercises, including squats, shoulder presses, lunges and pushups. The equipment features a handle centered on the apparatus, which gives you a comfortable grip. The dumbbells are able to load weight up to 90 pounds. So, no matter if you’re a beginner or a seasoned fitness fanatic, you’ll be able to get a good workout with these dumbbells.
WOD Nation speed jump rope
If you don’t like to run or go on a bike ride, a jump rope is the best way to sneak in an intense cardio workout session. Jumping rope is easy but it has a significant cardio punch, according to Corey Phelps, a certified personal trainer and owner of Cultivate by Corey. He adds, “A bonus is that it takes up no space, and you can easily travel with it.”
It’s always fun to jump rope. You might recall memories from your childhood, except you’re not singing songs and rhymes. You’re completing an intense workout. The WOD Nation speed jump rope is easy to grab and it creates a stable rope swing. It’s a fast jump rope, so it might take you a while to get used to the speed. However, the jump rope was designed to spin fast and help you get in the best shape of your life.
FEIERDUN doorway pull-up and chin-up bar
You might miss doing pull-ups at a fitness gym. Luckily, you can still do pull-ups at home. All you need is a doorway and the FEIERDUN pull-up and chin-up bar. The stainless-steel bar is adjustable to fit in most door frames. It’s perfect for pull-ups, chin-ups, sit-ups, dips, crunches, triceps dips, leg raises and other bodyweight training exercises.
“Doorway pull-up bars are my go-to piece of equipment to help maintain and gain upper body strength, all without any added weight,” Murphy commented. Completing pull-ups help strengthen and recruit the muscles in your back, shoulders, chest, and arms. By using the bar, you can isolate these muscle groups.
It only takes a few minutes to set up the bar and it doesn’t require any screws or drilling in the door frame. It also doesn’t leave marks on your door. You can easily set it up and start to exercise the way you want — right from the comfort of your home.