8 Essentials For Your Home Gym

Over lockdown a lot of gym-goers have realised that they actually prefer working out at home than in the gym. No waiting around for machines to become free, no wiping down barbells after someone else has used them, and no gym commute.

So, if you’ve decided home-workouts are the way for you, and you’re thinking about decking out your garage with a home gym, we’ve got some of the key components to start you off.

1. Adjustable Dumbbells

Instead of investing in a set of dumbbells that can end up being expensive, try some adjustable ones.

These dumbbells allow you to only have one set of dumbbells that let you attach whatever weight you need to it. That means one set of dumbbells can be anything from 1kg-15kg.

Not only is the nicer to your wallet, it also saves storage space as a full set of dumbbells can take up a huge amount of space. This also means you only need one set of dumbbells and a few different weights to do a tonne of different exercises.

Try a few of our dumbbell only workouts below.

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Dumbbell Only Workouts | Our Comprehensive List

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2020-11-06 16:04:39 • By Scott Whitney

2. Resistance Bands

These are a no-brainer for any home gym.

Resistance bands add an extra level of resistance to any workout, which is definitely needed when you’re not in a gym.

They’re also perfect to get your muscles warmed up and ready to smash your session.

3. Foam Roller

You should definitely have one of these even if you do still workout in the gym; foam rollers are ideal for rolling out any tight muscles, and feel great when trying to ease any nasty DOMS.

They also just feel great, and when spas are closed and you can’t get a massage, these are the next best thing.

4. Yoga Mat

If you’re a committed Yogi, you probably already have a trusty Yoga mat or two. But these aren’t just for getting your Zen on. They’re also great if you just need a space to stretch, roll out any soreness, or do some ab work.

Definitely a must have for your home gym if you don’t want to be working out on your cold garage floor!

5. Barbell Pad

Everyone who loves a good set of hip thrusts on leg day knows how important a barbell pad is to protect your hips.

This is key if you’ve managed to get your hands on a barbell for your home gym, even if it’s a smaller one. Don’t miss out on those burning hip thrusts just because you forgot to order a barbell pad.

Read this if you need some help in the hip-thrust department.

Training

Hip Thrusts | Why and How Men Should Be Doing It

Here's a leg day exercise you should be doing. Find out how to build big, powerful glutes with one simple move.

2019-10-21 14:00:32 • By Chris Appleton

6. Skipping Rope

Skipping is the perfect form of cardio for when you don’t fancy a run. And let’s face it, it’s getting dark at 4:30pm now and a run in the dark isn’t always appealing, especially when the temperatures start feeling sub-zero.

10 minutes of skipping will get your heart rate up and get your body warmed up, whether it’s for a session of resistance training, or just a straight up cardio workout.

7. Bench

Basic, non-adjustable gym benches are perfect to start off your home gym.

You’re able to do a range of different weighted exercises with it, like the classic bench press, as well as cardio with things like step-ups.

Have a look below at our guide to the bench press.

Training

Bench Press 101, Part One | Bench Press Fundamentals & Setup

2017-08-02 11:55:56 • By Chris Appleton

8. Doorway Pull-Up Bar

You can’t miss out on working on your pull-ups just because you’ve cancelled your gym membership in favour of a home gym.

These pull-up bars attach to a doorway and are really easy to set-up. A top tip is to use resistance bands if you haven’t managed to master a full pull-up on your own yet.

Want to get started with pull ups but not sure how? We can help you out with that.

Training

Pull-Up Exercise | Technique & Common Mistakes

2016-09-12 17:08:21 • By Myprotein

Take Home Message

Take a few of these essentials and start creating your dream home gym. It’s always best to start small and build up from there, and these basics will definitely get you on the track to your ideal home gym.

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Our articles should be used for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to be taken as medical advice. If you’re concerned, consult a health professional before taking dietary supplements or introducing any major changes to your diet.

Monica Green

Writer and expert

Originally from South London, Monica graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in Philosophy. After discovering a love for the gym whilst studying, Monica was drawn to weight training which helped her hugely through stressful times as a student. From writing for a popular student site, Monica developed her skills as an author, writing trending feature pieces regularly. She is thrilled to be able to combine her love for writing with her passion for the gym. In her spare time Monica loves to cook, try out new restaurants with friends and explore new walking trails.