Bonjour,
Many of us are still working out at home, or simply do not want to return to the gym... maybe ever and that is completely okay! You can get fit, stay fit, or get more fit at home.
If you are someone who is planning to eventually go back to the gym then you do not need much more than some quality resistance bands to get a good at-home workout consistently until your return to the gym.
If you are someone who is planning to workout at home for the long term or travels a lot then there is certainly some equipment you should invest in to continue to progress on your fitness journey.
Here is a compilation of my top 5 personal favorites, in order of which I think is most important and versatile.
1. Suspension Training System
More commonly known as the TRX, suspension training systems are my absolute all time favorite piece of workout equipment. It can be used almost literally anywhere. I use it at home and take it on every trip. It doesn't take up much space and as long as you have a door frame, you have yourself a great workout.
It can be used for any type of upper body, lower body, or core exercise. The same exercise can be performed time after time again and as long as you continue to change your body angle or stance, you will make the exercise more difficult. This is perfect - you need to challenge your body in a different manner every couple of weeks or you will adapt and plateau. That's why running 30 minutes at the same speed week after week will not create many changes in your physique over time.
For example, here is that time I hung my suspension training system from the pool support beam while on vacation:
Here are a couple of options for you:
The best, TRX -
Best budget buy -
Bonus: on Amazon US there is an extra $10 off right now when you apply coupon.
2. Resistance Band Set with Door Anchor
Resistance bands are one of the most versatile pieces of equipment you could own. With a door attachment you can turn any door into a cable machine. I personally own this Whatafit Resistance Bands Set linked below and it has been a game changer for upper body workouts at home. I also love the ankle attachment to be able to do glute and hamstring exercises.
Bonus: on Amazon US there is an extra 10% off and on Amazon FR there is an extra 15% off when you apply the coupon right now.
3. Fabric Loop Resistance Band
Another type of resistance band that I absolutely love are the fabric loops! I use these them during every single workout I do. I love incorporating them into lower body exercises to make them more difficult or use them for glute burnouts such as this one at the end of my workouts. Fabric loops provide more burn (muscle tension) than you expect so definitely don't skip out on this one and add it to your workouts!
Bonus: on Amazon FR there is an extra 5% off when you apply the coupon right now.
4. Foam Roller
Last but not least, a foam roller. Some of you may have never heard of a foam roller, while others are cringing in pain just hearing the name.
Listen up. As a personal trainer who performs movement assessments on all my clients to correct muscle imbalances, I am telling you that you need a foam roller in your life.
Specially with all of us working from home to then move to or stay on the couch all night watching TV, we are creating serious muscle imbalances by making some muscles overactive and lengthening others. Cue low back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, and headaches to name a few.
You need to foam roll those overactive muscles to release the pressure points. For example, if you are sitting at a desk, table, or couch hunched over your laptop all day then I am willing to bet your movement assessment would tell me you need to foam roll your lats and hip flexors. The list goes on as to what should be foam rolled depending on your specific lifestyle and movement assessment. If you are interested in knowing what exactly about you needs to be worked on then head on over to my store and book a personal training session, bundle, or coaching package with me to create a unique plan for you.
5. Yoga Mat
You can workout on any surface or even put down a towel somewhere and make that your workout space so you aren't lying on the ground but it is so much more comforting to have a yoga mat to do your workout on.
I was recently traveling for a couple of weeks and didn't bring my yoga mat with me. I couldn't get myself motivated at all to workout for over a week despite having the best intentions. I finally realized it was because I didn't have a yoga mat with me!
Specially with at-home workouts, it is important to create a space for you to workout out in and get in the zone. It doesn't even have to be a dedicated space but it is so powerful to get out your yoga mat out of the closet, put it in front of your couch, and dedicate that space for a workout for the next 30-60 minutes.
If you want to see any of these pieces of equipment being utilized, you can take a look at my exercise library*
*In order to access my library you need to create a profile on my website.
**As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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