Best Health & Fitness Tools for Your Home Gym
Where can you find the best selection of health and fitness tools? It’s not always easy to find the right tools and equipment, so we’ve created this list of the top 10 health and fitness tools so you don’t have to waste your time searching around! Whether you want a yoga mat or weightlifting gloves, we’ve got it all here! Bookmark this page if you are in the market for new health and fitness tools!
1) Dumbbells
A dumbbell is a piece of weight training equipment used to provide an adjustable amount of resistance during strength training exercises, similar to free weights. It can be used alone or with other types of equipment, such as barbells or resistance bands. Dumbbells are often constructed from metal or a combination of plastic and metal, generally, 2–5 pounds (0.9–2.3 kg), although smaller-sized are manufactured in sets as light as 0.25 lb (110 g).
In contrast to free weights, a fixed weight on one end counterbalances another weight at the opposite end of the shaft; each end has a handle allowing for easy use regardless of size.
2) Bench
Every piece of strength training equipment is a tool, but few are as versatile and can be used so often as a flat bench. It’s not just for traditional chest presses, either—you can use it to do incline or decline push-ups and dips or even to perform dumbbell rows. The flat bench is one of those essential pieces of equipment that every guy should have at his disposal; chances are you won’t use it every day, but when you need it, you’ll be happy you have it.
3) Barbell
It can be intimidating to walk into a commercial gym and see people lifting more weight than you can even imagine picking up. But if you’re going to build muscle, lose fat, or just get in better shape, then you’ll want to start with a barbell—and not just any barbell but one of these high-quality pieces of equipment that are built to last for many years.
And by having one at home instead of at a commercial facility, you’ll have no reason not to work out every day! Our favorites include (1) York Fitness Olympic Bar; (2) Rogue Ohio Power Bar; and (3) Ohio Deadlift Bar.
4) Weights
There’s a reason why people use weights in their exercise routine: they are proven to help you build muscle and lose fat. Your body needs resistance (whether gravity or added weight) to get stronger. That is one of the reasons many experts agree that free weights like dumbbells, barbells, and kettlebells should be a staple in every exercise program.
In addition to traditional free weights, elastic bands, medicine balls, and lifting machines can also work well with certain workouts such as yoga. And if you don’t have enough space for a full rack of dumbbells at home?
5) Pull-up bar
A pull-up bar makes working out in your doorway easy and convenient. Pull-ups are a great exercise to strengthen the arms, back, and shoulders. Although there are a few different kinds of bars to choose from, most models support as much as 300 pounds (136 kilograms). You can typically buy a pull-up bar online or at most sporting goods stores; they generally cost between $10 and $40.
6) Jump rope
It may seem a little silly to take up jump rope as a hobby but there are plenty of benefits. It’s cheap, portable and you can do it just about anywhere, indoors or out. Even if you don’t have time to regularly attend classes at a boxing gym, jumping rope is still one of the best ways to get in some exercise.
Be sure to look for soft ropes made from synthetic materials that will give when you land so you won’t damage joints or bones. Jump ropes come in varying lengths and weight sizes; pick something light enough that makes jumping effortless but heavy enough to provide resistance and keep good form throughout each jump.
7) Resistance bands
Resistance bands are inexpensive, portable, and easy to use. You can use them in a variety of ways—grip them, wear them around your ankles or wrap them around a post. The intensity level is up to you and will depend on how much tension you place on the band. Try standing on an exercise mat, then holding one end of a resistance band in each hand and raising them above your head as if doing shoulder presses with dumbbells.
Repeat until failure, building strength over time as you become stronger and more fit. If needed, loop two bands together for added resistance; just remember that two thin bands might not be able to handle too much weight without snapping.
8) Medicine ball
A medicine ball is a weighted ball used to perform strength training exercises. They can be inflated or solid, and are sometimes covered in vinyl material for easier gripping. Medicine balls are typically 4–10 pounds in weight and can be purchased individually or in sets of varying weights. The weight of a medicine ball is relative to its size; they range from 2 pounds (for young children) up to 20+ pounds. Medicine balls are often used as exercise equipment by football players, as they improve both flexibility and core strength (which is important when you’re doing mid-air twists after catching a pass). You should definitely have one around if you like training with free weights; just keep it away from anyone who hasn’t graduated high school yet!
9) Yoga mat
It’s easy to forget that yoga mats are exercise equipment, not just padding for our hands and knees. After all, even before we start doing downward dogs and sun salutations, we spend a lot of time simply standing on them. A good yoga mat is comfortable underfoot (especially if you have a wood floor at home!) and offers enough traction so we don’t slip while in inversions or other poses that require us to hang upside down. Plus, it makes it easier to clean up after practice when sweat is dripping off our bodies like raindrops! See our reviews of the best yoga mats here.
10) Stability ball
The stability ball is a great low-cost fitness tool that helps you strengthen and stretch muscles in your core, upper and lower body. It’s easy to use at home since it fits into any room without taking up too much space. You can use it anywhere from lying on it (try doing crunches) to sitting on it (try some hip circles) to even standing on it (which works out many of your leg muscles). A basic stability ball costs around $20 so there’s no excuse not to invest in one! They also come in an array of colors and sizes, so finding one that best suits you shouldn’t be hard.
11) Treadmill
Walking, jogging, and running are considered essential to any health and fitness program. These three aerobic activities burn calories quickly and build bone density. If you already own a treadmill, congratulations you’re well on your way to an overall healthier lifestyle. But if you don’t have a treadmill or aren’t sure if it will work in your home, we have some tips to help you find out if a treadmill is right for you.
As with any major purchase—whether it’s at a boutique store or online—take some time to figure out what you need and where you can get it at the best price. Don’t be afraid to compare shops between different retailers either; they all have different inventory. That said, there may not be as many choices when you buy direct from a manufacturer. Regardless of whether you buy new or used, remember that treadmills are designed to be very heavy-duty machines; you should only consider buying one that has been tested by Consumer Reports or another consumer organization and received high marks for quality and safety.
In general, treadmills designed specifically for home use (as opposed to those used in commercial gyms) tend to be quieter than their gym counterparts because they lack fans required by health clubs so that equipment doesn’t overheat from excessive use by many people.
Conclusion
Keeping yourself fit and healthy is an important part of living a good life. These top 11 best health and fitness tools are a great place to start if you want to get in shape, lose weight, or prevent injuries. Remember, though, that these gadgets are just supplements: they can’t replace proper diet and exercise. Keep at it!