There’s no question about it: Working out at home with your own home gym equipment has some serious convenience benefits. There’s no need to account for travel time to and from the gym, you never have to pack a bag, and you can blast your go-to workout music sans headphones. And for many people, home is also a pressure-free zone to exercise (because, hey, gyms can feel a little intimidating, especially when you’re new to fitness).
Of course, there are a couple of limitations that come along with picking up an at-home workout program. For one, you might have minimal workout space. Plus, gyms generally have a leg up on equipment, and it’s not exactly cheap to stock your home set with all of those bells and whistles.
That said, there’s a lot you can do with just a few cost-effective pieces of home gym equipment. (In fact, you don’t have to spend any money at all—there are plenty of ways to get in cardio and strength work using just your bodyweight for resistance.) But having some bonus equipment at your disposal gives you more exercise options, allows you to add resistance as you get stronger, and gives your workouts more variety, so you (and your muscles) won’t get bored of the same old, same old routine.
Let’s start with the basics: Here are five pieces of home gym equipment to get your home gym started for less than 100 bucks. Plus, check out seven add-ons you can invest in if it makes sense for your space, budget, and fitness goals. And by the way, not everything on this list is an absolute must-have for everyone, because your home workout space should be customized to you. So don’t think of these items as a to-buy list; instead, choose what you invest in based on your own personal workout routine and habits.
Exercise Mat
At the base level (literally), an exercise or yoga mat makes floor exercises way more comfortable, whether you’re doing abs work on your back or push-ups on your knees. Look for a thicker mat for more cushioning, especially if you’re working out on a hard floor. Plus, using a mat is a great way to make sure you’ve got at least one rectangle of workout-designated space. You can also bring your mat to the backyard or beach to take your workout outdoors.
Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are a great, inexpensive way to add an extra challenge to lower-body exercises, in particular and theory don’t take a lot of room to store. These small but mighty bands can take your glute workout to the next level, so try some glute bridges, side squats, or clam-shells with a band around your ankles or under the knees. The tighter the band is, the more challenging it is to work with.
Kettlebell
Kettlebells are a more versatile piece of equipment than you might think, and they’re great for working your muscles and getting your heart rate up. “You can do traditional kettlebell exercises such as kettlebell swings or Turkish get-ups, and you can also add them to traditional strength training workouts to switch it up,” suggests Minno. “For example, you can do a goblet squat with a kettlebell or do a walking lunge, passing the kettlebell underneath your front leg every time you step forward.”
Light / Medium Weight Dumbbells
A set of dumbbells opens up a world of opportunity when it comes to at-home workouts: Use them to do isolated strength exercises like bicep curls, amp up the resistance by holding them during compound exercises like lunges, and more. Not sure what weight to get, go for a medium set first. While this means different weights for different people depending on your fitness level, 2.5kg to 5kg dumbbells are good place to start.
And while it’s great to have lighter weights around for exercises that target smaller muscle groups (like triceps extensions), you can get crafty without them if you’re on a budget. Lighter exercises you can do with resistance bands or household items, like cans of soup or shampoo bottles. Heavier dumbbells are harder to replicate around the house, so they can be a more useful investment.
Heavy Dumbbells / Adjustable Dumbbells
A heavier set of dumbbells to add extra challenge to workouts. You can use them in place of your medium-weight dumbbells when you’re doing exercises that work your bigger muscle groups (like squats or dumbbell deadlifts), since they can handle more load.
Having a heavier set of dumbbells around also allows you to progress exercises as you get stronger, even if you can’t do quite as many reps with 10kg dumbbells as you can with 2.5kg dumbbells (it’s more important to keep good form). Consider an adjustable set. While they’re not quite as comfortable to hold on to as neoprene dumbbells (and it can be a little annoying to change the plates), they do give you more options when it comes to switching up the weight.
Alternate Option: Set of Adjustable Dumbbells
If you’re looking for a more than a couple of pairs of dumbbells, adjustable / spin lock dumbbells are a good alternative. These ones range from 1.25 pounds (just one of the bars) to 20kg (between the two dumbbells). You can add on and take away weight plates for different exercises, and you can increase the weight you use as you get stronger.
Full Length Mirror
A full-length mirror isn’t particularly basic home gym equipment, but it can help you keep an eye on your form. Checking your form throughout your workout is essential to prevent injuries and build strength properly. So if you’ve got the space and the budget, it’s one of the top home gym add-ons she’d recommend. (And if a mirror isn’t in the cards, just be especially mindful of your form during each exercise.
Jump Rope
There are plenty of ways to squeeze in equipment-free cardio at home (burpees, anyone?). But a jump rope is a fun throwback way to get your heart rate up—and fast. Plus, jumping rope works your arms, shoulders, core, and legs. Here’s a 10-minute jump rope workout to try. If you’ve got low ceilings or downstairs neighbors, though, consider getting your cardio with a HIIT workout or circuit workout instead.