I've been working out at home for five years—here are nine things I couldn’t live without

I have to start this list with my all-time favorite piece of gear: the ab wheel. This Perfect Fitness one isn’t identical to my own, but my colleague tested it and recommended it for beginners. The wide trackpad makes it easier to control when rolling out, and this one helps you roll back up with a little bit of assistance and has added resistance for the rollout.

As a weak-wristed gal with small hands, my weight-lifting gloves have been a revelation. No more slippery, sweaty palms trying to hold the horns of a kettlebell. No more skullcrushers that might accidentally end in a crushed skull. The extra wrist support sets these apart from the competition and makes them great for both home workouts and the gym.

My favorite headphones for walking are also great for home workouts. I hate when I’m doing a kettlebell halo or a burpee and I knock my earbud out, interrupting my workout. This isn't a problem with these earbuds, which are designed to gently grip the lobes and don't fall out with even the most energetic workouts.

I don’t have this exact bike, but it is very similar, down to the color scheme. Living in a small house, I appreciate being able to fold it up and tuck it away, but also love that I can easily put in a cardio shift without going outside on rainy days. It tracks distance, time and calories burned, and has variable resistance levels and a heart rate monitor. You can even prop your phone, a book, or an iPad on the handles for a low-intensity session. While there are certainly bigger ticket exercise bikes available with many more bells and whistles, if you don't want anything high-tech and are on a tight budget, this is a great pick.

I’m a big believer in simplicity and this applies to my kettlebells too. I’ve purchased these Amazon Basics cast iron kettlebells in multiple different weights. The handles are small enough for my hands, they're easy to store (mine live under my bed) and very durable.

Short resistance bands can be a handy way to remind you to maintain correct form when doing exercises like squats and hip thrusts. I also use mine to add resistance to donkey kicks to really get my butt burning.

When I do kettlebell hip thrusts or weighted bridges, I use a little foam pad to protect my pelvis. It’s not vital if you use lighter weights, but when you’re moving 50lb or more, you don’t want the weight slipping and you'll appreciate the cushioning. I don’t use this exact brand, but a near-identical equivalent. I used to use a folded-up towel, but the pad is a huge improvement.

One of my colleagues loves core sliders as an alternative to reformer Pilates.

I have a love-hate relationship with them.

They are an excellent piece of equipment and an affordable way to kick your core workouts up a notch, but after three sets of mountain climbers, you (and your abs) might feel a little embittered. Great kit, tough workout.

Finishing off this roundup, I'd be lost without an exercise mat. I don’t use this exact one, but it is budget-friendly, and my colleagues rate the brand.

I sweat a lot when I work out and reached a point where I had to invest in one for the sake of my carpets. It’s also a good idea to have something underneath you when using the ab wheel to make it easier to control and to protect your floor if you’re lifting heavy kettlebells.