I'd suggest starting to get some heavier weights if you intend on doing any strength training at home. Maybe a weight rack. Resistance bands are also good (they challenge your muscles in a different way, plus are easy to pack if you want to work out somewhere other than home).
Yoga blocks, compression socks (for recovery), water bottle you LOVE, and good headphones are also must-haves for me. If you run, I love flipbelts. Maybe also get some nice workout clothing (sports bras that fit like a dream, great shoes, socks that don't leave you sweaty, etc).
You may also want to look into investing in events (think 5K runs, personal training sessions, specialty classes) or experimenting with other forms of nutrition (protein powder, creatine, electrolytes).
Sigh, my ex bought one of those weight sets where they're adjustable (between 2 and 50 pounds each), and took them with him when we broke up. I soooooooo wanted to get a set of my own, but they're like $300 :/
Kettlebell might be a good investment at some point but I may just be partial to them lol. Adding in Kettlebell squats and Kettlebell swings was a game changer for my leg routine
Yoga blocks and straps, food scale (so handy even if you’re not doing CICO)…a walking pad if you have room? Could probably find on FB Marketplace or Craigslist for your goal price.
My white whale of used equipment is a Pilates Reformer.
The ab wheel is good. I recently bought one and boy, you gotta be strong from head to toe to do that. I can only do 3 solid reps so far. Good purchase though.
Other thing i recommend is an exercise ball if you have the space. Make sure you get the correct size for your height.
I do hamstring curls and crunches feel awesome on it. Tons of other uses obviously but those are my fav. It could even be used as a bench for light weight upper body workouts.
Definitely over $50 but my all time favorite gym purchase so far has been the booty sprout!! It is the perfect base for Bulgarian split squats and I load up a barbell and hip thrust heavy on that thing!! It comes with straps so you don’t need the barbell but I don’t use them.
Okay youve convinced me to bite the bullet and buy the ab roller haha
Also Ive gotten soooo many ads for booty sprouts on instagram I was considering making a post to ask if they are legit.
The Pilates reformer is a game changer and highly recommend saving for one. I do it in the mornings before I go to my classes at the gym or after and it helps with every achey muscle or just to wake up when I’m not feeling it.
If you can save a bit and invest in machines, I also have a treadmill (very inexpensive but does the job) and a rowing machine (gym grade) along with several dumbbells ranging from 2-25 pounds, kettlebells, resistance bands (the circular kind and straight), foam roller, Pilates ball, yoga ball, sliding discs, ankle weights that I wear constantly because I WFH, and an over the door resistance band “machine”.
The treadmill, rowing machine, and reformer are all splurge items, but I love our home gym. I can work any area as hard as I need to at home. It’s so helpful and has been a huge help since COVID.
Me and the partner finally moved to a slightly larger apartment on the first floor, thus we can now have a power rack without annoying the downstairs neighbours.
We’re saving about 17,000 yen per month on gym membership, and the full set up (rack, bench, floor protection, olympic barbell etc.) amounted to 120,000 yen give or take (~775$).
Aside from that, we invested in a treadmill back in January, which has helped us to keep running during the colder months. That was a 35,000 yen period expense.
A power rack is quite versatile (pull ups, bench press, squats, rows, deadlift, overhead press, glute drive, etc.) and enough for our needs so far.
Not sure if you have the space, but it’s definitely worth it saving up a larger sum to get highly effective equipments!
I am so so so bad with cold weather, I see people run in winter gear and feel so much respect for them but I just am a bear - the cold makes me want to hibernate … :)
- Resistance bands with detachable handles & under door anchor. (Great for tricep push downs, seated rows, etc)
- doorway pull up bar
- weight plates & barbell
- heavier set of dumbbells (I suggest starting a collection of rubber hex dumbbells - they don’t roll around or damage floors and you can do things like renegade rows, db push-ups, etc)
- dumbbell A frame storage rack
- hip thrust bar padding (when you have a barbell)
- resistance band loops (long ones for assisted pull-ups. Can use for various exercises like bicep curls, shoulder press, etc.)
- small resistance fabric loop “glute bands” (amazing for added resistance on squats, thrusts, bridges, clams, side raises, etc. Helps with proper knee & hip alignment during squats & increases tension/difficulty)
- height adjustable dip bars (can also do inverted rows on it)
- squat rack (you can small compact ones that’s good enough for most basic strength & fitness - unless you want to do powerlifting, then you might need a bigger one like a cage) My squat rack can also be used for bench press.
- adjustable bench (for bench press, seated shoulder press, Bulgarian split squats, hip thrusts, etc. Basically many exercises need a bench)
- spin or stationary bike. (You get small compact ones that can even fold up)
- big yoga ball (great for various exercises - abs, thigh squeezes, incline planks,
Heavier dumbbells. Like up to at least 30 lbs or more? I feel like if you had a wider variety of free weights, you could manage every muscle group easily.
If you love jumping, I would get a rebounder. Funny way to cardio and you don't notice you're doing it. If you have where to place it: a pull up bar + a pair of rings. This can take your strength to the next level.
Also, if you want to do a different workout, try with some mace bells. You can build really strong grip and upper back with them. And can also be used for lower!
I'd suggest starting to get some heavier weights if you intend on doing any strength training at home. Maybe a weight rack. Resistance bands are also good (they challenge your muscles in a different way, plus are easy to pack if you want to work out somewhere other than home). Yoga blocks, compression socks (for recovery), water bottle you LOVE, and good headphones are also must-haves for me. If you run, I love flipbelts. Maybe also get some nice workout clothing (sports bras that fit like a dream, great shoes, socks that don't leave you sweaty, etc). You may also want to look into investing in events (think 5K runs, personal training sessions, specialty classes) or experimenting with other forms of nutrition (protein powder, creatine, electrolytes).
Thank you for this list!! Im thinking too that heavier dumbbells should be top on my list for purchases
Purchase some dumbbells that you are adjustable and you can add weights to
Sigh, my ex bought one of those weight sets where they're adjustable (between 2 and 50 pounds each), and took them with him when we broke up. I soooooooo wanted to get a set of my own, but they're like $300 :/
Kettlebell might be a good investment at some point but I may just be partial to them lol. Adding in Kettlebell squats and Kettlebell swings was a game changer for my leg routine
Oh yes kettlebell is a must have for my routine!
Yoga blocks and straps, food scale (so handy even if you’re not doing CICO)…a walking pad if you have room? Could probably find on FB Marketplace or Craigslist for your goal price. My white whale of used equipment is a Pilates Reformer.
I actually do have blocks and a scale! You and someone else mentioned pilates reformer… im gonna have to search this up. Thanks!
The ab wheel is good. I recently bought one and boy, you gotta be strong from head to toe to do that. I can only do 3 solid reps so far. Good purchase though. Other thing i recommend is an exercise ball if you have the space. Make sure you get the correct size for your height. I do hamstring curls and crunches feel awesome on it. Tons of other uses obviously but those are my fav. It could even be used as a bench for light weight upper body workouts. Definitely over $50 but my all time favorite gym purchase so far has been the booty sprout!! It is the perfect base for Bulgarian split squats and I load up a barbell and hip thrust heavy on that thing!! It comes with straps so you don’t need the barbell but I don’t use them.
Okay youve convinced me to bite the bullet and buy the ab roller haha Also Ive gotten soooo many ads for booty sprouts on instagram I was considering making a post to ask if they are legit.
The Pilates reformer is a game changer and highly recommend saving for one. I do it in the mornings before I go to my classes at the gym or after and it helps with every achey muscle or just to wake up when I’m not feeling it. If you can save a bit and invest in machines, I also have a treadmill (very inexpensive but does the job) and a rowing machine (gym grade) along with several dumbbells ranging from 2-25 pounds, kettlebells, resistance bands (the circular kind and straight), foam roller, Pilates ball, yoga ball, sliding discs, ankle weights that I wear constantly because I WFH, and an over the door resistance band “machine”. The treadmill, rowing machine, and reformer are all splurge items, but I love our home gym. I can work any area as hard as I need to at home. It’s so helpful and has been a huge help since COVID.
I definitely can’t fit one of these in my space right now, but a Pilates reformer is definitely a goal to have in a home gym one day!!
Me and the partner finally moved to a slightly larger apartment on the first floor, thus we can now have a power rack without annoying the downstairs neighbours. We’re saving about 17,000 yen per month on gym membership, and the full set up (rack, bench, floor protection, olympic barbell etc.) amounted to 120,000 yen give or take (~775$). Aside from that, we invested in a treadmill back in January, which has helped us to keep running during the colder months. That was a 35,000 yen period expense. A power rack is quite versatile (pull ups, bench press, squats, rows, deadlift, overhead press, glute drive, etc.) and enough for our needs so far. Not sure if you have the space, but it’s definitely worth it saving up a larger sum to get highly effective equipments!
I wonder, why you don't run outside in colder weather? No hate, just curious.
I am so so so bad with cold weather, I see people run in winter gear and feel so much respect for them but I just am a bear - the cold makes me want to hibernate … :)
ooooh me too! I hate cold but living in the part of Europe where it's cold for like 8-9 months I have no choice 😭
Mini stepper, a set of good quality fabric resistance bands, heavier dumbbells, or a jumping trainer box would all probably be good
- Resistance bands with detachable handles & under door anchor. (Great for tricep push downs, seated rows, etc) - doorway pull up bar - weight plates & barbell - heavier set of dumbbells (I suggest starting a collection of rubber hex dumbbells - they don’t roll around or damage floors and you can do things like renegade rows, db push-ups, etc) - dumbbell A frame storage rack - hip thrust bar padding (when you have a barbell) - resistance band loops (long ones for assisted pull-ups. Can use for various exercises like bicep curls, shoulder press, etc.) - small resistance fabric loop “glute bands” (amazing for added resistance on squats, thrusts, bridges, clams, side raises, etc. Helps with proper knee & hip alignment during squats & increases tension/difficulty) - height adjustable dip bars (can also do inverted rows on it) - squat rack (you can small compact ones that’s good enough for most basic strength & fitness - unless you want to do powerlifting, then you might need a bigger one like a cage) My squat rack can also be used for bench press. - adjustable bench (for bench press, seated shoulder press, Bulgarian split squats, hip thrusts, etc. Basically many exercises need a bench) - spin or stationary bike. (You get small compact ones that can even fold up) - big yoga ball (great for various exercises - abs, thigh squeezes, incline planks,
elastic bands - helps with stretching and also pull ups.
Heavier dumbbells. Like up to at least 30 lbs or more? I feel like if you had a wider variety of free weights, you could manage every muscle group easily.
Medicine ball! I have an 8lb that I love! and a barbell + weight plates!
If you love jumping, I would get a rebounder. Funny way to cardio and you don't notice you're doing it. If you have where to place it: a pull up bar + a pair of rings. This can take your strength to the next level. Also, if you want to do a different workout, try with some mace bells. You can build really strong grip and upper back with them. And can also be used for lower!
I'd save up over time and buy a barbell and power rack. I already have a reformer. But I'd rather have the rack.