With the current state of the world, many of us are unable to get to the gym. Some gyms have been closed for months, some may be operating at a very limited capacity, then there’s the safety issue even if they are open… now more than ever, people are making the decision to invest in their own home exercise equipment. Having the tools to get in a good workout, move, and take care of your body at home will make improving your health much easier, especially during a pandemic. With the right stuff at home, you’ll never have an excuse to miss a workout again. Of course, not all equipment is created equal, and when designing a home gym, most of us are very budget-conscious, and need to get the most bang for our buck. To help you build your gym, I’ve assembled a list of what I consider the best home equipment on the market, with links to the specific products I recommend as well. Of course, you don’t need to get all of this stuff, so take some time to think about what you’re looking to do, and which of these tools would be the most useful. DumbbellsA good pair of dumbbells may be one of the most useful investments you can make. You can push, pull, overhead press, squat, hip hinge, row, you can train just about any body part with dumbbells and nothing else. The only thing to consider is how strong you are; if you’re a serious lifter you may need adjustable dumbbells or a whole set. If you’re just looking to maintain your fitness and preserve muscle, you’ll probably just fine with 1-2 pairs of lighter dumbbells, maybe a pair of 10s and a pair of 20s. Perform Better DumbbellsKettlebellsKettlebells are very similar to dumbbells, and many people find they do well with one or the other, you don’t necessarily need both. Kettlebells work well with swings, and certain types of Olympic lifts, but if you don’t do these movements, dumbbells may be a better option. For most exercises they are nearly interchangeable though, so think about what movements you do, and then what you can find, as both kettlebells and dumbbells are hard to find right now. Perform Better KettlebellsValslidesValslides are a great option, and you could even use furniture sliders if you don’t want to use these. They are inexpensive, and they can immediately improve the challenge for all kinds of body weight exercises. ValslidesFoam RollerA good foam roller isn’t necessary for your training, but it’s nice to have. Whenever you’re working on mobility, or warming up particularly stiff muscles, a foam roller is going to help you loosen up and get the blood flowing. Perform Better Foam RollerSuspension Training SystemIf you have a pull up bar, sturdy beam, tree, or anything secure to attach your equipment too, a suspension trainer is a great idea. You can choose a TRX, Jungle Gym, or one of many other brands out there now. This will allow you to perform a wide variety of exercises with just your body weight, and would be a great addition for any home fitness setup. Jungle Gym XTMini BandsMini bands can be used for warming up smaller muscles groups, add resistance to bodyweight exercises, and a whole lot more. If heavy weights aren’t your thing, mini bands are a great tool to add to your body weight exercises to increase the intensity and challenge. Perform Better Mini Bands Jump RopeEveryone knows about the jump rope. Inexpensive, portable, you can do this anywhere, and it can be very challenging. Nobody really outgrows a jump rope, from beginners to the most elite athletes, a jump rope is a great way to work on your coordination, calf and leg strength, and of course your cardiovascular health. If you’re a beginner, you may want to consider a nylon jump rope, as a smaller speed rope may cause a bit more sting if you hit yourself with it. Jump RopesStability BallLastly, a stability ball is another great addition that won’t empty your wallet. They are fantastic for core training; there’s a wide variety of exercises you can do with a stability ball that will be both gentle on your back, and fantastic for strengthening all of the small stabilizer muscles in your body. Stability Ball Now that you have all this equipment, do you need guidance on how to use it or a program for you fitness goals? We are offer 50% off for the first month of online personal training from today on. Please click here to sign up.