Now that most gyms are closed to the public, many of us have had to get creative with our exercise routines at home. I’ve been working out at home for years and all of the items in this post are my essentials (none of them are over $50). If you have the means to invest more into your home gym, it’s also great to add free weights and kettlebells to your equipment for a wider range of workout options. For a more in-depth post about my workout routine, check out this post.
Core fitness sliders – I bought a pair of these years ago and they are awesome for working your core in unique ways. I used them mainly for PiYo workouts I stream from Beachbody, but there are lots of free full-body workouts you can watch on YouTube as well (this video is under 15 minutes and does a great job explaining the moves if you’re a beginner).
Extra padded yoga mat – If there’s one thing that’s a must-have for any home workout, it’s a cushy yoga mat. I do my workouts on a concrete floor that only has a thin carpet, so this is a lifesaver for my joints. They’re not only for yoga—I use them for ab work, weight lifting, and Pilates.
Elastic loops – These loops are small but mighty and are a fantastic way to tone muscle without weights. I love using them for glutes and inner/outer thigh work. This video on YouTube is only 30 minutes but you’ll feel the burn.
Elastic stackable resistance band set – This is another must-have, especially if you don’t have free weights but want to do resistance workouts. You can stack these bands to get a resistance level up to 100 pounds!
Stretch-out strap – When it’s time to stretch, this strap really helps you get more out of your moves and improve flexibility. It also comes with a booklet that shows different ways to use it for each muscle group. This was especially a lifesaver for me during pregnancy and post-partum recovery.
