In the era of home workouts, both fitness enthusiasts and boutique fitness studio owners are on the lookout for ways to enhance their exercise routines. Whether you're sweating it out in your living room or offering virtual classes to your clients, incorporating the right accessories can transform any workout from good to great.
While you can get a solid workout without equipment (learn more here), some small additions can definitely improve your workout routine. You don’t need to break the bank with the fanciest equipment to reach your goals. Here’s a roundup of the best accessories to level up your home workouts, ensuring an engaging, effective, and efficient fitness experience.
1. Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are a versatile and cost-effective way to add intensity to your workouts. Resistance bands can work with so many types of workout - they are perfect for strength training, flexibility exercises, and rehabilitation. These bands come in various resistance levels, catering to all fitness levels. We recommend getting at least 2 to 3 different resistance bands so that you can progress by adding more resistance as you build strength.
2. Quality Yoga Mats
A good yoga mat is foundational for a variety of workouts, from yoga and Pilates to HIIT and bodyweight exercises. Look for mats with excellent grip, cushioning, and durability. It may be worth checking out your favourite studio for branded yoga mats. Be sure to ask your trainer or fellow students for recommendations on the best yoga mat to avoid purchasing a flimsy mat that you soon have to replace.
3. Adjustable Dumbbells
Adjustable dumbbells save space and allow for a range of exercises without the need for a full rack of weights. They're ideal for strength training at home and can easily be incorporated into virtual training sessions offered by fitness studios. While dumbbells are on the pricier side, there’s no denying that they are one of the best pieces of equipment for increasing strength.
Start with some light adjustable dumbbells, as you build up strength you can purchase additional plates to add to your dumbbell. You can consider cast iron plates or rubber plates. Rubber plates are often bulkier but are less likely to damage your floor!
4. Fitness Trackers
Fitness trackers help track workouts, monitor heart rate, and analyse sleep patterns, keeping health enthusiasts motivated and informed. There are many different fitness wearables on the market today and no matter what your budget is you can find one that is right for you.
Whether you’re looking for something simple to track your step count or if you’re a fitness geek looking for detailed analysis of your sleep and recovery, there’s a wearable out there for you. Be careful, however, as often metrics such as calories burned may not be entirely accurate so take these figures with a pinch of salt. We recommend choosing one wearable and sticking to it so the algorithms used to track your workouts remain consistent. To find out whether or not fitness trackers are for you, check out our The Advantages and Disadvantages of Fitness Trackers..
5. Yoga Blocks
Yoga blocks are an essential accessory for anyone looking to deepen their home yoga practice. These simple yet versatile tools can significantly enhance your yoga sessions, providing the support and stability needed for both beginners and advanced practitioners alike.
Yoga blocks are great for helping improve flexibility and deepen your stretch as well as providing you with something to balance on to hold a pose for longer. Yoga blocks come in a variety of materials (wood, cork or foam) so be sure to ask your teacher which is best suited to your needs.
6. Foam Rollers
Recovery is just as important as the workout itself. Foam rollers aid in muscle recovery, reduce soreness, and improve flexibility. They are an essential tool for any fitness regimen. Foam rolling can be done before or after a workout to loosen out any knots and improve blood flow to your muscles. This helps vital nutrients to reach your muscles, speeding up the recovery process!
Conclusion
While you can absolutely complete a great workout with just your bodyweight and no equipment, incorporating these accessories into your home workouts can significantly enhance the quality and enjoyment of your fitness routine. Be sure to speak with your personal trainer or instructor to see what equipment is the best for your goals and which brands are within your budget.
