These three pieces of home gym equipment are all you need to start your fitness journey
You can crush your fitness goals at home—and you don’t need a full gym
When COVID-19 hit in 2020 I was going to a group training gym and had recently lost 100 pounds. I was terrified that all my progress would be wiped when the gym closed but I was also determined not to let that happen.
I had been lifting and running a lot in preparation for a Spartan obstacle course race. I knew I needed to keep up my workout routine to maintain the strength and endurance I had built.
Unfortunately, funds and space were limited, so I had to get creative. I looked at Facebook marketplace and Amazon and settled on three pieces of home gym equipment that I thought were versatile, affordable, and would help me reach my goals.
I found a TRX suspension training system on Facebook marketplace for $100 (it’s close to $300 brand new but easy to find used). I also bought a 25lb slam ball and a sandbag that could hold up to 40lbs on Amazon.
These three pieces of equipment started my home gym and I still use them regularly, four years later. They're compact, versatile and beginner-friendly. You can currently get the for less thanks to Black Friday fitness deals.
TRX suspension training system
I love the TRX system because you can do so many things with it, including full-body strength workouts, HIIT and yoga. All you need is somewhere to anchor it and space underneath to move freely, but the equipment itself takes up very little room.
There is an app to go with it if you need motivation and guidance. I use it for movements like inverted rows, modified pull-ups, biceps curls, triceps extensions, chest and back flys, and various hamstring movements.
Was $129.95, now $90.87 at Best Buy
Was $139.95, now $97.95 at Amazon
Was $189.00, now $179.99 at Dick's Sporting Goods
Slam ball
This simple but mighty piece of equipment is perfect for a home gym. Yes, you can slam it against a wall, but you can also press it overhead, hold it while doing core workouts, and use it to add extra load to movements like squats and lunges.
There are various weights available; pick one based on both your current abilities and goals.
Was $42.99, now $30.09 at Amazon
Was $29.99, now $27.99 at Best Buy
Sandbag
A sandbag may sound like a weird piece of equipment for your workout, but I've found them incredibly useful (especially the ones with handles). You can use them to perform moves like deadlifts, cleans, weighted squats, lunges, overhead presses, rows and carries.
The bags themselves usually come without weight and have a range for how much they can hold. All you need to do is buy a bag of sand to fill it to your desired weight.
Was $40, now $32 at GORUCK
Was $55.99, now $36.29 at Amazon
Was $50, now $26.97 at Dickssportinggoods
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Amber is a health and fitness writer and enthusiast, writing for ACTIVE, MarathonHandbook, BarBend and others. Her own health and fitness journey of losing 100 pounds motivated her not only to inspire others through written content but also to become a UESCA-certified running coach. She is a competitive obstacle course racer, trail runner and hybrid athlete. Amber has competed in multiple Spartan events, and has also completed an ultramarathon and a women's pro-HYROX event.
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