The Best Home Exercise Equipment
Fitness at home is changing and it's becoming more high-tech. Tonal is a wall-mounted smart gym that utilizes AI technology to push training to new levels.
When choosing home fitness equipment take into consideration the way it will fit into your space and how it can be stored. If you live in an urban apartment you may want to prioritize compact equipment.
Elliptical trainer
Elliptical trainers provide a great exercise for the entire body without the jolt that running or walking has. They are also quiet and easy to use on joints. These machines are great for those who want to shed some weight or tone up their physique. Be aware that these machines don't reduce belly fat. To shed belly fat, you need to create a calorie deficit.
Ellipticals are a great solution for those looking to upgrade their home gym to feel like an actual gym or to find the right fitness machine for your space. The NordicTrack FreeStride FS14i Trainer is costly, but offers the quality you'd expect from an elite fitness brand. The iFit compatibility and generous options for incline and resistance make this a good choice for those who want a low impact cardio machine that works the entire body.
Horizon EX-59 is another elliptical that is simple to use and won't break the bank. It has a broad range of resistance levels, and a stride length that can be adjusted to 19 inches. You can also utilize the stationary handlebars to focus on your lower body. The elliptical is mobile and can be easily moved around the living room.
Try the BodyBoss Elite X5 -ELM for a more comprehensive workout. It is more versatile than other models on this list as it can be used as an elliptical, staircase climber, and treadmill. The built-in incline/decline settings make it easy to tailor your exercise. It also has a tiny but powerful display that shows readouts of speed and distance, time, calories burned, pulse and RPM. The frame and motor of the machine are protected by a life-time guarantee.
Exercise mat
Mats for exercise are an essential piece of equipment for any exercise. They provide stability, slip resistance, and cushioning to your joints. This is particularly important when your workout routine involves yoga or other floor exercises. A slippery floor can make it difficult to keep poses such as downward dog.
There are many types of mats for exercising on the market, therefore it's essential to find one that is compatible with your workouts as well as fitness goals. Choose exercise equipment that is robust, comfortable and simple to clean after sweating. A closed cell mat, which has a firmer feel than open cell mats, is more likely to last longer and withstand wear and tear. A thick, dense mat will offer more firmness and support for high-intensity exercises.
Be mindful of your budget and the space when you choose an exercise mat. You'll want to choose an item that can be easily placed within your home, while also being easy to tuck away when it's not in use. There are many other pieces of equipment you can use to increase the intensity and variety of your workouts. Ab wheels and stability balls for instance, can aid in strengthening the core muscle groups that are crucial for balance and posture.
An exercise mat can be made out of a variety of materials, including thermoplastic elastomer, vinyl synthetic materials, and rubber. They are also available in a wide assortment of sizes and colors. Some are made for professional sports, such as martial arts and gymnastics and are made of thick foam that is easy to clean after a tough workout. These large, bulky mats are usually found in gyms and other fitness centers.
Exercise bench
In addition to your weights, a bench will allow you to perform a variety of well-known exercises, such as chest presses and preacher curls. There are many possibilities for benches, but picking one that will meet your requirements is contingent upon what your training goals are, how experienced you are with weight lifting and other fitness equipment, the space you have at your home, and a host of other factors.
Based on your space and budget as well as your goals for training, you might think about purchasing a bench that also serves as a functional trainer or squat rack. The Torque model, for instance, is a unit that can be folded down to reveal both a squat bar and a cable machine. It also comes with a pull-up bar with multiple grips. It can be customized to your liking with rack attachments. It has a small footprint and will fit in the majority of workout spaces.
If you have limited space or are on a limited budget, consider purchasing a folding bench, such as the Bowflex 5.1s Stowable Weight Bench or Marcy Multi-Position Workout Utility Bench. Both benches feature incline and decline adjustments and can be easily folded flat to conserve space when not in use. A dumbbell set like the GGR Power Block with its sturdy frame that can support up 250 pounds is an additional alternative.
If you're looking for a smart home fitness equipment that gives additional instruction and motivation take a look at the mirror-like Tonal ($1,500 and up). The sleek wall-mounted unit uses electromagnets for resistance. It was designed to replace various types of gym equipment. The large screen displays your workout progress in real-time.
Resistance bands
Resistance bands make exercises more difficult, and can help you engage more muscles. They also increase your stability and strength, which can alleviate joint pain and help avoid flare-ups in the future. They're a great option for those who have suffered an injury or are recovering from surgery, or are just starting to exercise. But, it's important to realize that you need to spend the time to learn how to properly use the resistance bands and also ensure you get proper physical therapy.
Resistance bands can provide similar results to weights at less cost and take up less space. This makes them a great addition to any home fitness routine. Whatever your fitness goals are, you should start with two 30-minute resistance band workouts per week. You can increase the frequency as you become more comfortable. Make sure you give your muscles a minimum of 48 hours to recover between sessions.
A major benefit of resistance bands is that they cause far less joint compression than free weights or machines. This is a crucial factor to consider before choosing any piece of equipment, since repeated joint compression could cause arthritic symptoms. Resistance bands can also be used in various designs, which makes them a versatile and joint-friendly training tool.
There are various kinds of resistance band that are available, and their thickness as well as length can differ. Some come with door-attachments to allow them to be attached to beams or doorknobs, which makes it easier for you to do your exercises. Some resistance bands come in different colors, which means you can easily identify the intensity you want.
Jumping rope
Jumping rope is a fun and effective method of working out at home. It's not just an excellent cardio workout it also strengthens your ankles and legs and improves your balance. It can also help you lose weight and build endurance. Jumping rope is a great exercise for people who don't want to go to the gym or do not have time.
The weights of jump ropes may be adjusted to fit your needs. You can choose lighter weight jump ropes to improve endurance and get lean while heavier jumpropes are more suitable to build strength.
The best jump ropes are made from robust materials that aren't easily broken. They are light and comfortable to use and come in different lengths. The shorter handles help you learn tricks like jumping. You should also think about the type of surface on which you'll be working out. Asphalt and concrete are both hard on your joints. Softer surfaces such as grass or sand won't offer enough support to your weight. Jumping rope on a mat can soften the impact on joints, and it's also easy to store and move.
If you're looking for a multi-purpose home fitness equipment that's part cardio and also a part of strength training, you should consider the rower. The SELF Home Fitness Award winning Hydrow Wave offers a full range of workouts as well as a workout app that streams bodyweight, HIIT, and yoga classes. The Bowflex Xtreme 2SE Home Gym is a compact machine that offers a broad range of exercises. It provides more than 70 exercises in a an extremely small footprint. The 210 pounds of strength is enough for the majority of lifters.