I constantly fall on and off when it comes to my fitness journey. In addition to creating a weekly gym schedule, I’ve started doing CIZE at home again, joined a facebook group to get fitness tips, encouragement from women with busy lifestyles like me, and invested in workout equipment to use at home. If you don’t have the time or funds to go to the gym or still want to work out in the comfort of your own home, here are some useful home workout equipment for beginners that are also portable enough to use while on vacation.
Yoga Mat
Just like many hair products, you can use a yoga mat for more than one purpose. Yoga mats are great for yoga, Pilates, core and leg workouts.
Resistance Band
Use resistance bands to do leg raises or pull-ups. If you decide to go to the gym, resistance bands can be used for the weight machine, bench presses, shoulder presses, or doing squats.
Dumbbells
Being new to strength training, I can be intimidated by the weight machines in the gym, purchasing a dumbbell set to use at home is great for lazy, rainy days when you don’t want to leave the house and to still get some strength training done.
Fitness Band
I initially went wild over my Jawbone Up 24 years ago, but I LOVE Fitbit Flex 2. It tracks my steps, my sleep, my workouts and is waterproof for up to 50 m. Using this fitness band is beneficial since I occasionally go swimming and take part in water activities when traveling.
Foam Rollers
Use foam rollers to give leverage for floor exercises like crunches or massaging when you have a case of DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness).
Medicine Ball
Medicine ball training is one of the oldest forms of strength and conditioning used by the ancient Greeks. They’re portable and easy to use working out with a partner.
Kettlebell
My new favorite for at home strength training. Kettlebells are great for building strength and endurance in the lower back, legs, and shoulders.
Workout Videos
Not comfortable with group fitness classes? You can purchase or stream workout videos right from home. My favorite right now is CIZE. It’s simple dance moves and doesn’t even feel like you’re working out.
Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
If workout DVDs aren’t your thing, stream some music from your phone through a Bluetooth speaker. According to my Instagram followers, I need to add more Beyoncé, Soca, and Trap Music to my gym playlist.
Jump Rope
One of the cheapest ways to get fit is by jumping rope. Take it back to elementary school and use it as an easy form of cardio. Jumping rope is also great if you want to get the kids involved in your fitness journey.