Getting fit is simple, right? You just need to move more and eat well.
The problem with that advice is that it's way too broad. Most people have specific ideas of what they mean by getting fit. Maybe it's putting on muscle, improving cardio health, losing weight or even boosting your balance. But fitness certainly isn't a one-size-fits-all.
As a fitness editor, I spend a lot of my time reading about the tools that have helped people get healthy and reach their fitness goals. All of the below have stood out to me as excellent examples of this. Scroll down to see a list of recommendations from people whose lives have been improved by finding the right tool for their fitness needs.
1. Walking treadmill
Benefits: Improved posture, less backache
Most people don't have room for a treadmill in their living space, but the invention of lightweight, foldable designs has changed that. One of our writers, Elliot Harnell, managed to increase her average daily step count to 8,000 steps a day thanks to an under-desk treadmill.
She was previously averaging around 1,000 strides, so this was a huge increase. As a result, Harnell felt her energy levels improved, her posture got better and she no longer experienced back ache. She specifically used the folding C2 Walking Pad, but there are a variety of models available on Amazon.
2. Wobble board
Benefits: Improved balance, better coordination
Balance plays a role in most of our everyday activities. Whenever you stand up or sit down, you're relying on your balance to keep you steady. Even running and walking require a good degree of balance, as they involve standing on one leg while you move the other forward.
Fit&Well contributor Maddy Biddulph is a certified trainer who had always struggled with balance exercise—that is until she invested in a wobble board. After using a wobble board for one month, her balance improved, as did her posture, coordination and core strength.
3. Abs roller
Benefits: Stronger core
When my colleague Lou Mudge used an abs roller for a month, she didn't (initially) think it would have much of an impact. She was happy doing crunches and sit-ups to work her core muscles.
But after a few weeks with this bit of equipment, she was a convert. It engaged her core much more effectively, boosting the strength of these all-important mid-body muscles in just a few weeks.
4. Resistance bands
Benefits: Stronger core, improved flexibility
Despite Fit&Well harking on about the benefits of resistance bands for the past few years, they're still not a staple in everyone's home gym, when they really should be.
Maddy Biddulph swapped her weights for resistance bands for a month when she was traveling and was impressed with the results. She got stronger, but she also got more flexible, as the bands can be used to help with stretches, too.
We prefer to stick with well-known brands when buying resistance bands because of the risk of bands failing. Here are three options from respectable brands.
5. Pvolve
Benefits: Improved strength
Including an app in this round-up might stretch the definition of 'home workout equipment', but I wanted to highlight this one as it's useful for anyone new to Pilates.
My ex(sob) colleague Lois Mackenzie used Jennifer Aniston's favorite app, Pvolve, in January for three weeks and became an absolute Pilates convert. She's a dedicated runner, so this workout regime was outside her usual experience—but she loved it.
Despite using minimal equipment in her workout sessions, she saw significant strength gains. She found the classes surprisingly engaging and the perfect level of challenging yet fun.
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