In the many months spent at home during the pandemic, I realized pretty quickly that I needed to find ways that would get me moving. Not because I was worried about gaining weight, but more because exercise gave me something to do other than worrying about the state of the world. So, like many others, I got really into the at-home workout craze, taking a ton of classes and even doing some with friends virtually.
But like most people, I've had my ups and downs with fitness during this time. After a month or two, the novelty of at-home classes started to wear off. My frequency was more like one class every two weeks rather than a few times a week. Now, I'm in a much better groove with my workout routine since I have a Peloton bike that I'm obsessed with and I have my rotation of other fitness streaming platforms (like Apple Fitness+).
While my workout routine has seen a lot of changes in this year and a half, one thing that's constant is I've shopped for about 80% of my at-home fitness gear on Amazon. It's just been such an easy and convenient way to get everything I needed fast. Plus, its selection is actually pretty good. Sure, Amazon's got dumbbells, jump ropes, and resistance bands, but it also has stationary bikes, treadmills, and ellipticals.
Take a look at some of the things I've bought from the retailer, plus other noteworthy gear below. And the best news? A lot of them are majorly discounted right now.
If you're going to buy just a few things for your home gym, I would suggest a pair of dumbbells. These are solid cast iron with anti-slip coating.
Amazon has a great selection of big-ticket fitness equipment, too, like this treadmill. You can schedule delivery as well.
You can use an exercise ball for yoga, Pilates, stretching, balance, and stability. This one can be inflated in just a few minutes and is very durable.
If you don't have that much room to spare at home, this foldable stationary bike won't take up that much space. It has an LCD window that tracks distance traveled, current speed, time elapsed, and calories burned.
This kettlebell was designed with ergonomics in mind. It has vinyl coating, a wide, smooth handle, and a flat bottom for stability.
A yoga/exercise mat is another piece of fitness gear must-have for your home gym. This one has a non-slip surface and body alignment lines.
Not only do resistance bands come in handy for strength training workouts, but they're also perfect for stretching.
This bench is so versatile. It has six ladder adjustments so you can adjust the incline and decline angles. The seat has three different adjustments to support your back and neck, too.
For some variety in your cardio workouts, a jump rope is a great piece of equipment. The length of this jump rope can be adjusted for different heights.
A fitness tracker has been so helpful for my workouts—I can see the calories burned and my heart rate over time. The Amazon Halo Band measures steps, heart rate, sleep time, and sleep tracking. With a membership (free for six months), you'll get access to workouts, tools, and other features. , you'll have access to workouts, tools, and other features.
I love using earbuds to work out, even if I'm just alone at home. The noise-canceling helps me concentrate. These have 20 hours of playtime.
You can use a medicine ball for upper- and lower-body workouts, like core and balance exercises. This one has a textured grip.
If you want to mix things up with your workout routine, a rowing machine might add a little more excitement. This one has an LCD monitor that tracks time, stroke count, distance, SPM, calories burned, and heart rate.
This sturdy rope can be used for strength training—target your hands, arms, shoulders, back, abs, core, and legs.
Massaging devices are gaining in popularity these days and for good reason. They're so helpful for muscle recovery and relieving any aches and pains. This one has six different massage heads and can work for six hours when fully charged.
The cool thing about this mat is it has alignment lines to help guide you and perfect your form.
This sturdy dumbbell has a cast-iron core, rubber-encased ends to prevent rolling, and a textured handle for a better grip.
Work on your core strength and balance with this balance board.
Even if you don't practice yoga, I still recommend a yoga strap. It's so amazing for stretching after a long day of sitting at your desk.
Foam rolling has been a big part of my fitness routine. It helps with any muscle soreness and is also great for relieving any stiffness.
A towel is essential, especially during your sweatiest workouts. This one is super absorbent and quick-drying.
Everyone needs a durable water bottle. It's good for the environment and will save you money in the long run. Camelbak's water bottle has double-walled insulation to keep your water cold.
To add more of a challenge to your workouts, you can wear these ankle or wrist weights.
For outdoor exercisers, this water-resistant armband will not only hold your phone, but it will also hold your keys or AirPods.
For more support during yoga class, you'll need some sturdy blocks. They'll help you get into poses more deeply and provide stability.
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This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used in the place of advice of your physician or other medical professionals. You should always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider first with any health-related questions.