A swanky air conditioned commercial gym may seem like the most obvious choice to getting fit, but it is by no means the only option. With minimal equipment, a bit of imagination and a lot of sweat, you can easily get fitter, faster and stronger in your home gym. If you don’t have the funds or the time to get to the gym, I want to help point you in the right direction with what kit to purchase for your home gym.

Buying gym kit is a minefield and it’s easy to get carried away and spend thousands on unnecessary kit you don’t need or know how to use. I have selected four pieces of kit that can be used in any house and can give you the workout you need to get in decent shape.

Resistance Bands

These giant elastic bands are so versatile and can be used to target almost every muscle group in the body. Easy to pack in a bag and take on your travels, they should be in everyone’s training toolkit. With some of the biggest bands creating a resistance of up to 50kg, they are not just for beginners. You will need to have knowledge of certain exercises and how to train with correct form. If you are unsure, then get in touch and I will be more than happy to help.

Cost: £41.99

Link: Click here

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Easy to take on your travels
  • Perfect for  beginners to advanced

Cons

  • Exercise knowledge required
  • Can be fiddly with certain exercises

Kettlebell

A kettlebell is a round weight with a handle on the top. There are thousands of exercises that can be carried out with a kettlebell and can be included in a strength, conditioning or muscle building workout. I would highly recommend you get some instruction on how to use a kettlebell to avoid injury or squashing the cat at home. There are kettlebell classes in gyms up and down the country and I think they are a great way to get fit and enjoy the social element. If you are new to kettlebells I would recommend starting with a 4kg for females and 8kg for males.

Cost: £9.99 – £31.99

Link: Click here

Pros

  • Exercise possibilities are endless
  • Good classes in almost every gym
  • Great door stop for when not in use

Cons

  • Heavy bits of kit to store
  • Initial training is required

TRX (Suspension Trainer)

TRX is a brand name for a suspension trainer. A suspension trainer is a piece of kit made with two straps with handles at the end. It attaches to a hook, door frame or rafters in your garage. Just ensure the point is fully secure before hanging from it. They give you the ability to train with your bodyweight and provide resistance to various muscle groups. In my opinion, the brand TRX is unnecessarily pricey and I decided to go with an alternative from ATX. These can be taken on your travels and provide you with unlimited exercise potential.

Cost: £89

Link: Click here

Pros

  • Loads of exercise possibilities
  • Can be adjusted to make it easier or harder
  • Doubles up as a kinky sex swing

Cons

  • You need a point to fix the kit to
  • Some instruction may be necessary
  • Can be pricey depending on the brand you buy

Bodyweight

It’s easy to get caught up in all the fancy gadgets and gimmicks, but we always seem to forget that we can use our own bodyweight for exercise. You can create a tough workout using nothing but yourself and a dash of imagination. Whilst having a gym available would always be preferential, doing home workouts is still a brilliant alternative.

Cost: £0

Pros

  • Free
  • Can be performed anywhere
  • We all have it available

Cons

  • Usually gets lighter the fitter you become
  • May need some supervision initially
  • Can be hard to get motivated at times.

For a couple of hundred pounds you could have a home gym that you could use for years and on your own terms. No queuing for gym kit, no awkward conversations with the sweaty guy next to you on the treadmill and you even train in your underpants. The only caveat I would suggest, is that all training should be carried out with good form to avoid injuries and ensure you are getting the most from you exercise. Seek professional help from a personal trainer until you are happy to exercise alone.

If you have a home gym and need some help with workouts, nutrition or some motivation, then get in touch to enquire about online coaching. Click here and fill out the form and I will be in touch.