My 8 Favorite At-Home Workout Accessories for Under $100
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Hi–my name is Stephanie and I’m a home workout NUT! I had a gym membership maybe 10 years ago for several months but I mostly used the pool (former swimmer here). It just ended up not being for me. Sure I loved the nice equipment and variety you get from the gym, but I was horrible at committing to going regularly. The gym just wasn’t for me.
However, many of you are not me and may already be involved with an awesome gym! Or, there is a gym in your apartments and/or on campus at school. You may be a gym NUT! But what if you can’t afford or don’t want to commit to a gym membership every month? What if you have a little space in your home to do your own workouts?
If you are like me, this last option is GOLDEN. Almost 7 years ago, after my son was born, I began working out in my living room. At first, I was only doing bodyweight exercises which work amazingly (especially when you are out of shape)! However, eventually I wanted to add weight to my exercise regime or use other tools to help my progress. Slowly but surely, I have found great workout accessories to add to my home gym so that I can do any workout I want (within home workout parameters).
I hope to someday have a bigger space that can actually be a dedicated home gym room where I can get larger equipment (if I want). But I honestly love all my workout gadgets and gizmos that make up my “living room gym”.
Why Should I Workout at Home?
- Expense – This is true for any subscription type service. You pay a monthly or annual fee for services, but over time you will end up spending more money. (I totally understand if your workout regiment requires certain machinery from gym–more power to you!) Working out at home can definitely be costly, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re on a budget, build your stash slowly, buy one item at a time, and pick items that you will use NOW or are at least close to your level.
- Versatility – I know that there is a huge amount of versatility at the gym because they have EVERYTHING. But you can have an amazing array of tools at home to use for your workouts. And, working out at home can be whatever you want it to look like. Love weight lifting? Yoga? HIIT? You’ll be able to figure out what equipment is necessary and that you’ll use regularly pretty simply.
- Stay-At-Home-Parents – For many parents, working out at a gym, away from their kids, is much needed selfcare time. I GET THAT. However, if you keep some gear at home, you will be able to fit your workouts in at home whenever you want during the day. This is even a great way to incorporate your kids in to exercise time. My brood loves lifting, doing squats and stretching with me.
3 Important Shopping Tips
- What are you needs? As mentioned earlier, home workouts have great versality, but don’t go too crazy at first. Consider what types of workouts are your favorite or maybe you utilize a certain workout program. These will help you decide what products you actually need and use. Everything else can be on your wishlist. When I first started working out at home, I knew that strength training and walking is where I wanted to start. So I only bought dumbbells and a weighted vest because this best suited my needs and interests at that time.
- What is your budget? This is a huge factor for most people and will determine what they purchase. Sometimes, the higher price is worth it because of the quality or having trust with a really good brand. BUT, you don’t have to break the bank to workout. At the very beginning, I was only doing bodyweight workouts or walking with my kid in a stroller. I’m a bargain shopping nut too and several of my exercise items were found at thrift stores or resale sporting goods stores. Online shopping has opened up the door for this type of equipment all over and so you definitely have options. (If there is a brand you like, keep an eye out for sales/discounts on their site.)
- How much space do you have? This can be an obvious issue when working out at home. Where do I workout and where can I store my equipment? You may have to get creative and utilize a corner in your bedroom or a coat/storage closet. I currently store all my equipment in the water heater closet that’s under my stairs. If you really don’t have much extra space, this will definitely narrow down your list of what you can buy. But even if this is the case, it will be worth it in reaching your fitness goals.
- One last tip before you read my list: do your research! I’m always down to find the best deals possible when looking for workout gear. However, sometimes paying a bit more is BETTER. Read others’ experiences with a certain workout item you are wanting to purchase, and then use your judgement to decide what you want to spend your money on.
My 8 Favorite At-Home Workout Accessories
Best Trainer
Reebok Crossfit Nano Training Shoes
I discovered a helpful tip regarding plantar fasciitis (which I had for years). Wearing shoes with a very wide toe-base (as if you were barefoot) will make a huge difference! I’m on my 3rd or 4th of Reebok’s Crossfit Nano Training Shoes and for me, I will never buy another trainer again.T
They are perfect for HIIT workouts, walks, and strength training exercises. These Reeboks also have good support for your ankles and arches so your feet won’t hurt as much during your workout and throughout the day.
Best Weights
Hexagonal Free Weights
Any kind of free dumbbell weights will do, but I specifically say hexagonal because of their diversity. You will obviously be using these for arm exercises. But, you can also use this weight with ground exercises such as planks. They will hold you up on the floor and then you can row or twist with the weight while in a plank position.
Amazon has a great starter kit of neoprene weights that comes with a stand. They are on the light side so if you are looking for some heavier dumbbells, Amazon also sells very sturdy hexagonal dumbbells.
Best for Bodyweight Workouts
Weighted Vest
The weighted vest I have used for years is from Bodyrock.tv. At the time, they only came as a 6lb vest but they now sell 8, 10 & 12lb ones.
The vest has been a game changer for my workouts with only a small amount of resistance. It fits nicely on your chest, and you can even wear it around the house when you doing daily activities! I love wearing it during full body workouts and while walking because it isn’t bulky (which helps with your posture).
Luckily, if Bodyrock’s equipment is not in your price range, Amazon sells and almost identical vest. It comes in a variety of weight sizes (4-30 lbs), has great reviews and will only set you back $30 for the smaller vests.
Best for Lower Body
Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are a very affordable accessory you should purchase at the beginning of your collection. They are so versatile and can help add resistance to your workouts without the need for weights.
Most sets of resistance bands come in extra-light to extra-heavy resistance levels. This means, when your body gets used to one resistance level, you are able to up it by simply switching bands. How simple and awesome is that? These bands will help you workout targeted muscle groups in both your arms and legs.
The Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Bands are super cheap and come in 5 sizes. The big problem I have with latex bands is how much they roll when I use them. To combat this, more companies have recently developed non-slip bands with various resistance levels. They are made with cloth and are super sturdy!
Best for Chair Alternative
Exercise Ball
A good Exercise or Stability Ball is another versatile accessory that can be used for targeted exercises, yoga, stretches, etc. I am pretty sure I have had my exercise ball for at least 8 years, and it’s still going strong.
You will want to be able to do any exercises properly with an exercise ball and so size does matter. dependent on your height. There are also different sizes depending on your height so you are able to do exercise properly without the ball being too small or large for you legs
Another great use for ball is as a chair. There are some schools that use them as chairs for kids and people who use them as office chairs. I use it as a seat so much when I am pregnant because it is more comfortable bouncing on it sitting in an actual chair! If you need a break from your desk chair, switch it up to your ball so your tushy doesn’t fall asleep! 😉
Best for Versatility
Sandbag
This might sound like a weird accessory to have but this is probably one of my favorite training tools. You are able to make it your added weight to an exercise like squats or deadlifts. Or mix it up and hold onto it on the ground when doing a pushup. If you are working on core strength, you can put the bag to one side and when doing a full plank, drag it bag back and forth.
What I love is you can fill it with whatever you want to make it as heavy or light as you want. You can go to Home Depot and buy some sand of course, or you can buy cheap bags of rice. I fill the remainder of the bag with rags or old clothes so it is round and even.
Do your research when looking to buy one of these. You really want to have a sturdy bag with well sewn-on handles. Titan Fitness is the one I have and it is very high quality, but there are also sturdy options on Amazon.
Best for Cardio
Step Platform
You have probably seen the infamous step platform in an 80s exercise video or even at the gym. Some of those exercises can look a little goofy but that is not the only thing this great accessory can be used for.
When I began my fitness journey, I used the platform to build up my push up strength (because I could not yet do them on the floor). They are great for doing extended deadlifts so you can drop your body passed your feet to really feel the burn. This versatile tool can be on the ground or lifted with risers that come with it, and you can buy more to make it even higher so your exercises will be even more intense.
This is another tool that has a lot of options when it comes to purchasing, and as always, you want to be sure to find one that will be durable enough to endure a lot of force. “The Step” comes in a Circuit size and a Health Club size and the only real difference is the Circuit is not as long and is slightly cheaper. I’m sure there are other brands out there just as good, but The Step is so sturdy and reliable that I have to strongly recommend it!
Best for Stability
Balance Trainer
I had a gym membership years ago and that was the first place I ever used (or attempted to use) a balance trainer. It was very challenging but fun to figure out workouts for this tool.
When using it flat side down, you are able to do many core strengthening exercising while sitting on it. With the round side down, the trainer can be used when working on plank and pushup variations. This tool really ramps up your workouts because your stability and core strength are more challenged.
The Bosu Balance Trainer is definitely the most popular and has a few varieties depending on your fitness level. They are a bit more than $100 but because of the versatility of this tool, you could get away with this being the only tool you purchase for awhile. Amazon definitely has some great balance trainer options as well and for a great price.
Frequently Asked Questions
The last thing you need to know about home workout accessories
A list like this can be overwhelming–I totally get that (I have an overthinking problem). Remember that it took me years to collect these things–very slowly and methodically. I only bought a tool when I could afford it and when I knew I would use it.
I can attest that all of the listed items have helped my fitness goals in the past several years! However, I only regularly use 3 or 4 of them. Don’t get distracted by the “something shiny”. Simplicity outlasts that in the long run.
I truly hope this list has been helpful to you in deciding what you want to do in your fitness journey. Please let me know in the comments what your favorite workout accessories are! Did they make my list? Are there others I need to check out?
Muchos Love!
Stephanie
