Home Gym Essentials
You can get a great workout at home with minimal or even zero equipment. Bodyweight exercises can go a long way as long as you’re creative, but with a few basic tools, you can expand your exercise options and the ability to progress your program with added variety! Variety is the spice of life! Right?!
On top of my time as a Personal Trainer, I’ve also spent a few years as a fitness equipment salesman, designing home gym spaces for folks in the Denver Metro area. Putting my two fields of expertise together, I’ve come up with a brief list of some of the most basic equipment to maximize your in-home workouts!
#1: Adjustable Dumbbells
Bowflex ‘SelectTech’ Adjustable Dumbbells (left) vs. Powerblock Adjustable Dumbbells (right)
Dumbbells are one of, if not the most, versatile pieces of equipment you have have for your gym. Their use is very straightforward and they can be added to nearly any exercise to increase difficulty.
Depending on the brand, Adjustable Dumbbells can take the place of anywhere from 6-40+ individual pairs of dumbbells, saving you not only space, but thousands of dollars on the dumbbells themselves and the storage rack(s) necessary to hold them all.
Two of the most popular adjustable dumbbells on the market are the Powerblock Dumbbells and the Bowflex ‘SelectTech’ Dumbbells, both of which I’ve personally owned and used extensively and of which I prefer the Powerblocks due to their superior build quality and expandable options, allowing the addition of more weight to your existing pair of dumbbells anytime in the future.
If you’re in the Denver Metro area and want to try a pair of Powerblock dumbbells in person, Fitness Gallery carries them in store and has multiple locations throughout Denver.
Other popular adjustable dumbbell options include: Nuobells, REP Fitness "‘Pepin” Dumbbells, and Iron Master ‘Quick-Lock’ Dumbbells.
I recommend choosing an adjustable dumbbell based on your budget and how much weight you’ll ultimately need for any current and/or future workouts.
#2: Adjustable bench
Many adjustable benches offer changes in angle ranging from -10 degrees to 85 degrees
An adjustable bench goes hand-in-hand with a pair of adjustable dumbbells. The addition of a bench can improve the efficacy of many exercises as well as doubling as a step-up box and a stretching aid. Compared to a traditional flat bench, the multiple angles that an adjustable bench offers will open the door to countless more exercises.
There are an endless number of adjustable bench manufacturers ranging from off-brand options on Amazon.com to commercial grade benches you can use in the home. I would recommend considering a bench priced in the mid-range to provide a stable, reliable, quality bench without breaking the bank. A cheap bench can feel unsafe and have a short lifespan, while a top-of-the line bench might be overkill for an in-home setting.
A good example of a mid-range bench that will provide a commercial quality feel without the commercial price point is the REP Fitness AB-3000. This particular bench has a decline feature with lower leg holders so you can use it for sit ups and decline presses as well.
#3: resistance Bands
Large “loop” style resistance band from Rogue Fitness
Resistance bands are similar to dumbbells in the sense that they can be added to many of the exercises in your regimen to increase the difficulty. Beyond that, they offer resistance in the ‘transverse’ plane which provides resistance for rotational exercises, they make great stretching implements, and they are perfect for traveling with!
These will be one of the least expensive pieces of equipment in your gym and where you buy them from largely doesn’t matter. I recommend going to your local sporting goods store or finding any online retailer who provides a wide range of different resistance levels at the best price.
I’m a proponent of the full loop bands that look like oversized rubber bands along with loop style ‘mini’ bands. Resistance bands that have handles are another great option to replace the large loop style bands.
Most online fitness retailers, such as Rogue Fitness, will likely offer a wide range of band options to choose from. If you’re in need of fitness bands same-day, you can visit a local sporting goods or fitness store, such as Fitness Gallery in Denver.
#3: Honorable mention: Power rack/Squat rack
Power Rack vs. Half Rack vs. Folding Rack
Depending on your preferred training style, the squat rack may or may not fall into the list of essentials. The squat rack opens doors to all of the classic barbell lifts which are crucial for athletic performance, bodybuilding, Olympic Weightlifting, and powerlifting.
Many of the squat racks on the market today are modular, allowing for the addition of numerous attachments to expand your selection of exercises. Examples of these attachments include: Dip bars, pull up bars, cable & pulley systems, landmine attachments, jammer arms, barbell & plate storage, and plenty more!
A full ‘power rack’ (shown above on the left) allows for a safer approach to your barbell lifts, as the barbell itself is confined to the space within the rack. A ‘half rack’ (middle) is not enclosed like the power rack, but will allow for ease of transition from barbell movements that are performed outside of the rack to those movements performed on the rack - Ex: moving the barbell off of the rack, straight to the floor to perform deadlifts. The half rack is often less expensive when compared to a power rack. Lastly, a wall mounted ‘folding rack’ offers a space saving option, as you can easily fold the rack (nearly) flush with the wall once finished. These are often the most bare-bones options and will have the least number of attachments available, though still plenty versatile for most people.
REP Fitness, a Colorado based fitness equipment manufacturer, offers great options for both modular power racks and half racks. When it comes to folding racks, I would recommend checking out PRx Performance or Rogue Fitness.
If you’re seeking in-home personal training and guidance on your exercise equipment selection, please reach out to me at:
ReviveFitTraining@gmail.com
(480) 309-6472
