The idea of going to Planet Fitness or the likeness is absolutely terrifying. Judgment free-zone, my ass. I think everyone there is judging some way somehow. Although I say that, I have tried going to the gym on various occasions, but the committee was often unbearable. No matter where I lived, the commute seemed to take far too long. In the country, everywhere is a minimum of 20 or 30 minutes away. The city commute was often an hour plus, but gyms were often local and were about 20 minutes away.
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No matter how I looked at it, a gym was just a terrible idea. I needed to work out in front of other people, which was embarrassing. Or I could get up super early/stay up super to late to avoid the normal rush hour gym traffic. Even so, that meant I needed to commute and no matter where I was, that was at least a 45-minute round trip promise, not including workout time.
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5 Top Recommendations for Home Gyms on Amazon
No wonder New Year resolutions of losing weight and eating more healthily get thrown out the window. Setting and committing to goals was tough enough, but no matter the route, more and more obstacles seemed to present themselves.
Between massive social anxiety, COVID-19, and life in general, I had no desire to work out outside of my home. I did have a massive desire to work out and improve my health, though. For almost two years, I practiced yoga, and my body was craving more.
So I created a mini home gym. I didn’t have much money to spend, especially as a single mom. However, I was able to scrounge together some pieces of equipment that were versatile enough for a variety of workouts to help me improve my body all around. Here are the top five products you can find in my home gym that have helped me transform my life and health.
Resistance Bands
Growing up, I was always on the curvy side. I wasn’t heavy set, but I had hips and titties. I didn’t have a butt, though. For years, I was self-conscious about my pancakes. The Brazilian butt lift regime intrigued me, but I didn’t have the discipline I have today. Now I follow along with Chloe Ting and her workouts. She offers a variety of hourglass challenges, which have helped me fill out my body over the years. She also has a couple of intensive booty-building regimes.
These resistance bands on Amazon are an absolute must if you want to work on your glutes and hamstrings. I love this band in particular because they are very well-made. The stitching is thick AF, the thickest I’ve ever seen in a band. There are rubber inseams to stop the band from bunching or sliding up. But what I love most is the resistance levels. I had another set I loved almost as much as this one, but I maxed it out and the company didn’t offer higher levels. This one goes as high as 120lbs, which means I won’t need to upgrade for some time.
Exercise Bike
An exercise bike is probably the most expensive thing I splurged on for my entire home gym. I needed another way to fit cardio into my routine. HIIT workouts were great, but it took time for my heart rate to rise. I also wanted to incorporate cardio in a more “lazy” way for active rest days. A treadmill seemed… boring and too consuming. I always loved bike riding, though. This was the perfect solution. I can squeeze in a workout that I enjoy and I can do it while I work on my tablet or watch a show.
I love this exercise bike on Amazon in particular because it comes with a backrest, which might seem small and insignificant. However, having a back on the seat meant I could recline and relax. Not all workouts were vigorous and intense, some were gentle. Instead of sitting to watch a show, why not burn some calories? It also offered a few other options, like different resistance levels and attached arm bands, for an additional workout.
Yoga/Workout Mat
Yoga mat. Workout mat. Call it what you will, but this versatile mat has come through for me on a variety of occasions. Mats give you a little barrier and cushion between the floor. A thick, cushiony mat can come in handy with planks or similar exercises. Thicker mats run more of a risk of tearing, in my opinion, though. A thinner mat can be more useful for jumping or balancing activities, but may not be as gentle on your joints. I like this mat on Amazon because it’s not too thick; it doesn’t tear and still offers a good amount of support.
Adjustable Ankle/Wrist Weights
Like most people, I started exercising with body weight. I threw in a cheap pair of resistance bands for some exercises and quickly outgrew them. I wanted to add weights to my regime, but they were expensive. Buying a set with multiple weights was even more pricey. That led me down a rabbit hole search of adjustable weights that were priced even higher. Then I stumbled upon these 15lbs and 20lbs adjustable weights. They’re not Ideal, but they get the job done. I use them on my ankles and wrists, so they are versatile. The weights are well made, and inserting or removing the sandbags is a seamless process.
Smartwatch
A smartwatch may not be a necessity for everyone, but it Is for me. Having a smartwatch has motivated me in more ways than one, mainly because it’s allowed me to keep track of my workouts and calories burned. I like knowing my heart rate and then seeing my graphs of progress over time on the app. This Smartwatch on Amazon is cute, stylish, and affordable, and does a lot more than just track workouts. It’s also helped me improve my sleeping habits and track my stress or breathing levels.
What Other Items Do You Need For a Home Gym and Where Can You Find Them?
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Luckily, yoga itself and simple gym gadgets are inexpensive. Most can make do with a yoga mat and maybe some blocks, a few weights, or a strap to make some exercises more accessible. Luckily, yoga itself is inexpensive. Most can make do with a yoga mat and maybe some blocks or a strap to make some poses more accessible. I do have a few other must-have yoga and home gym items I can’t live without, but breaking the bank isn’t necessary.
Over the years, my yoga and home workout collection has grown. What started as a Five Below mat, strap, and blocks turned into a cute little shelving unit with a variety of mats, mat spray cleaners, wheels, and so much more.
If you’re interested in discovering what else you might need to complete your yoga or home workout experience, you can always check out my Amazon Influencers Yoga and Home Workout list here.
Bonus Item
A ropeless jump rope might sound silly and pointless, but hear me out. Jumping rope, and many other jumping activities, raises your heart rate and burns a lot more calories. A real jump rope can be noisy and get in the way. A ropeless jump rope doesn’t get tangled and doesn’t make extra noise. I like this ropeless jump rope on Amazon in particular one because you can add the rope and make it a traditional jump rope. It also keeps track of your workout, including duration and calories burned.
Thank you for reading! Do you have a home gym? Is there any equipment you think we missed? Drop a comment down below!
Affiliate links: Amazon Influencers Yoga and Home Workout list, resistance bands, exercise bike, mat, 15lbs and 20lbs adjustable weights, Smartwatch
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. When you click on and/or make a purchase through a link to an Amazon affiliate link placed on our website, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
