Remember me
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission.
January has a way of making even the most self-assured among us briefly consider becoming a “routine person.” Not a full transformation arc. Just a slightly more limber, better-rested version of ourselves who remembers to stretch and doesn’t dread a flight of stairs. The problem is not motivation so muc as friction: the commute to the on a frigid, cold winter day, the membership you resent by week three, the feeling that has to arrive as an all-or-nothing lifestyle overhaul. It doesn’t. The smartest way in is smaller, quieter, and can happen right at home. No moralizing, no punishment vibes.
Related story
How — If At All — Can Gyms & Workout Classes Reopen Safely in a Pandemic?
While there are plenty of equipment-free options for keeping your body moving, a home gym certainly doesn’t mean you need to skimp on the accessories that make you feel like you can tackle all the workouts you want whenever you want. Whether it’s high-tech gadgets, old reliable tools for weight and resistance training, or products that help you stay comfortable and maintain good form, there’s a wealth of at-home workout gear for you to build the workout area of your dreams.
Read on for a few of our favorite fitness gear items that’ll fit perfectly in your home:
The Perfect All-In-One Machine
Echelon Row-S
The Echelon Row-S gives you a full-body workout in a fun machine that you’ll never get tired of using. The all-in-one machine provides a low-impact workout that activates over 85% of your muscles, so you can accomplish a better workout in less time.
Aside from the smooth machine and the library full of exercise classes that come with your Echelon membership, our favorite feature has to be the space-saving foldable design that allows you to easily free up space in your home with one simple movement.
Plus, with the 22″ HD touchscreen, you can watch Netflix, YouTube, or pull up an interactive class so your workout is as entertaining as it is beneficial.
If you’re looking for one machine that can provide a full-body workout, has built-in entertainment, and can easily fold up when not in use, then the Echelon Row-S is what you’ve been waiting for.
Essential Basics
Jump Rope
Is it something you were really good at in your playground days? Yes. Is it a workout tool that is simple, takes up next-to-no space, and is amazing for cardio? Also, yes. Especially as temperatures warm up, there’s a huge appeal to giving yourself 10 minutes of jump rope outside.
Kettlebell
Looking to tone up? Then you definitely want to add a kettlebell to your list of at-home fitness products. Kettlebells help you achieve a leaner, tighter figure by working your body as one unit without wasting too much time. High-rep sets of kettlebell swings, snatches, and clean and jerks get your body in major fat-burning mode by building strength in the lower back, shoulders, and hip flexors. Another perk? You can totally tailor kettlebell workouts to your body’s specific needs, making it more intense with higher reps and more advanced moves, or taking it slow and steady.
Dumbbells
All true workout gurus know that dumbbells are where it’s at. Sure, they may be small (depending on the weight you use), but they will certainly make you strong and mighty! Dumbbells are inexpensive, versatile, and easy-to-use weights that can be added to a variety of workouts and help to improve your cardiovascular fitness, burn calories, build muscle, and increase endurance.
Yoga mat
Of course, we had to throw a yoga mat into the mix! By now, we’ve all heard of the amazing physical and mental benefits of consistent yoga practice, so there’s really no excuse not to own your own mat (not to mention it’s way more sanitary). So go ahead, improve your flexibility, strengthen your muscles, perfect your posture, curb your cravings, calm your mind, boost your immune system, improve your balance (and the list goes on) all from the comfort of home.
Resistance bands
Adding resistance is certainly one way to work every major muscle group in your body. Regardless of your fitness level, resistance bands are a great way to add a little more challenge to your at-home workouts. These bands come in a variety of resistances — including light, medium and heavy — allowing you to adjust the intensity of your workouts and helping you boost stamina, flexibility and range of motion. They can even take the place of dumbbells and weights for basic moves such as bicep curls. And the best part? Resistance bands require basically no space to store, and you can also easily stash them in your suitcase when you’re on the road.
Extras Worth Splurging OnA version of this story was published July 2015.
HeatPod Sauna Blanket 2
To truly reap the full benefits of saunas, you have to use them consistently. But using them can get extremely pricey, whether you purchase one for your home or buy a membership to a spa with saunas. The best solution? Theragun’s revolutionary HeatPod Sauna Blanket.
The HeatPod is an infrared sauna blanket that delivers whole-body heat therapy for improved recovery, better heart and systemic health, natural pain management, and stress relief. The best part? It’s a fraction of the price of a traditional sauna.
The blanket gets up to 185°F (85°C) and comes with precision temperature control and the Faraday-shielded coils wind densely throughout the heating layer on both sides, to ensure even heat distribution from head to toe.
Before you go, check out a few of our favorite workout recovery accessories for your post-exercise self-care:
Ashley Britton/SheKnows