Lately I have been thinking about how I would like to begin adding some things to my “home gym”, so I thought I would share some items that I am looking at for this week’s “Friday Five”. I probably won’t get most of these for quite some time, but it’s more of a long-term wish list. Check out these 5 things on my home gym wish list!
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5 Things On My Home Gym Wish List
I actually have quite a few items in my “home gym” already (which is really just a corner of my basement). We have a few weights (5 lbs, 10 lbs, 25 lbs, and a bar with plates), lots of resistance bands, a stability ball, a balance disc, and lots of foam rollers/other myofascial release tools. You can read about my top 5 items for a home gym here. I would like to have a variety of ways to strength train and cross train, which is how I decided on these 5 items.
TRX Home Suspensions Trainer
I used to do TRX at my gym while I was training for my first marathon. I noticed such an improvement in my strength and balance! However, there was an extra cost to those classes so I could not continue going long-term. I think having a TRX system or something similar would be a great investment.
Bosu Balance Trainer
I always enjoyed using the bosu at my gym while doing strength workouts! I would stand on it while lifting weights, use it for push-ups, or even jump on there to get some cardio in.
Kettlebells
I have seen quite a few kettlebells workouts and exercises lately that I have wanted to try! This is a small, inexpensive piece of equipment that would supplement the weight training I am already doing.
Indoor Spin Bike
This is definitely more of a “long-term wish list” item, but I think Rob and I would agree that if we are going to get a piece of cardio equipment that a bike makes the most sense. We could use it when the weather is too bad for running or just as a regular cross-training tool. It’s smaller and less expensive than an elliptical, too. While I would like to get a treadmill eventually, I think it would be more practical to get something that would allow us to have another workout option besides running.
Pull up bar
I think this would be fun to have, since I have always struggled with functional upper body strength. The one I linked to uses leverage to hold it inside a door jam, which is good because I am not about to drill anything into the walls or ceiling. However, I am not sure how well it will stay where it is supposed to.
What are some items you would like to have at home to supplement your workouts?
Do you have a”home gym”? What equipment do you use the most?
Do you have an outdoor bike? An alternate to a stationary bike is a bike trainer that you can attach your outdoor bike and pedal against a drum with some form of resistance (fluid trainers are the most quiet). It works for pretty much all bikes, although smooth tires are the most practical. I agree that cycling is great cross training.
I don’t have an outdoor bike.. but that is something to think about! I’m not sure how much I would ride outdoors. (I’m just nervous about where I could ride and sharing the road with cars).
I agree if I was going to choose an indoor cardio option it would be a bike, because truth is I run outside in the winter and if I’m going to stay in it makes sense to mix it up, plus I strongly dislike the treadmill!
My thoughts exactly! But the reality is it may make sense to buy one at some point…but probably not for awhile!
I just got a bosu! I’m super pumped, because it has so many uses. My mom was actually going to give me a spin bike for my grad school graduation, but then we had nowhere to put it. One day, I will get one, though!
The bosu will be great! It never made sense before for us to get a bike, but now that neither of us have a gym membership and we have the space, I think it would be a great cross training tool.
All of those wishes are awesome! I’d love a spin bike too! I should just get my bike on a trainer for the winter but my money is on that not happening.
If I had a bike I would consider that too! But I think I am more likely to use an indoor bike than an outdoor bike, because if I can be outside I will probably be running:)
I have free weights (3 and 5 lbs) plus the Pure Barre yoga block and ball, that’s about it. I don’t know that I need more than this which is good thing because I don’t have the room for anything else! Have a good weekend 🙂
I love that you have a gym in your development though! If I had something like that I wouldn’t care as much about this stuff:)
We have some hand weights and a treadmill. I’ve only used the treadmill once because it’s in our scary basement and I swear it’s slanted up a pretty decent amount. I had to resort to it during Boston’s ridiculous snowstorms this past winter but I don’t think I will ever do it again. Otherwise I just do strength training at home! The bike is a great idea though!
Im hesitant to get a treadmill because I would probably never use it! But Im sure it would be useful during icy weather.
I want to get a Pilates ball and yoga blocks. The kettlebell is one of my favorites – it’s so easy to store and great for strength training! We had a treadmill but we have such a nice gym here that we’re trying to sell it.
I have one yoga block- I should probably just go ahead and get one more! That’s awesome that you have a nice gym where you live!
Those would all be great additions to an at home gym. We have a pull up bar and a treadmill, but I would love to get a bosu ball, TRX straps, and some kettlebells. Great list!
Sounds like you have a good start! It’s always fun to add on to a home gym:)
I’d like a stability ball but I don’t know where I would put it. I have some small free weights and ankle weights, but mostly I use body weight for home workouts.
When I lived in an apartment we kept our stability ball in the living room and sometimes sat on it:) Body weight workouts get the job done too!
I already have an ancient treadmill — we thought it had died but my husband was able to save it!
I’d love to try TRX, too, but we basically have nowhere to hang it.
A stationary bike is very high up on my list. The problem is finding one that will squeeze in with the treadmill!
I love my kettlebells. They’re actually not that expenisve & I bought most of mine at Target (which always has them on sale the beginning of the year, btw).
That is good to know about the kettlebells- thank you!
I have a bosu and love it! I also have an elliptical and use it a lot, especially when it starts getting colder!
An elliptical is a great way to cross train…I just get so bored on there!
I have that pullup bar and it is awesome. Who knew that all the doors inside your house are not the same. I had to try a few different doors but it works and stays put. I would love to have a spin bike in my house. I want a home gym but don’t have room for one. Have a great day
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Glad to hear that the pull up bar stays put!
Great picks! Right now, I have a tiny apartment so my “home gym” is a yoga mat and 2 sets of dumbbells. No room for anything else yet! I would LOVE a TRX system…talk about full body workout! A spin bike would also be nice, but I can never motivate myself to bike alone, so I still need a spin class!
Spin classes are definitely better than biking alone! Hopefully I would be able to motivate myself to use a bike if we did get one!
Oh, my gosh, Lisa…I would LOVE to have a TRX system at home; wouldn’t that be nice? I haven’t checked lately, but I think they’re kind of pricey; nevertheless, it would be cheaper (over time) than attending classes. I have a BOSU trainer at home and I highly recommend it; the simplest exercises can be made much more effective and it challenges my core ALL the time. What a great list! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
The TRX straps are pretty expensive…but the other straps I linked to aren’t as much. I just need to do some more research to see if they will provide the same benefits as TRX!
Hi Lisa! You are pretty well-stocked! I’d love to have TRX straps too, because I can’t get enough of them! Happy Friday, lady! 🙂
It’s been so long since I used TRX straps; I would love to be able to incorporate them into my workouts again!
Have a great weekend!
The only piece of equipment I have for my home gym is my treadmill in the garage. But it saves my life! I’d love a spin bike one day just to change it up. A pull-up bar would be cool too. I can finally do ONE pull-up after years of never being able to do a single one.
I don’t think I can do ANY pull ups, which is why I need a bar so I can practice:)
I would love a Bosu balance trainer – I always use it for planks at the gym! I don’t have too much equipment at home, but hopefully when I have a apartment or house of my own, I will definitely be investing in some essential pieces. My own treadmill would be a dream 🙂
Wouldn’t it just be so nice and convenient to have all the gym items you would need in your own home? I think its a great investment!
If I could have anything, I would get a treadmill. I actually would love to be able to crank out a run while I watch TV and never have to leave the house. Not every day, but sometimes! I like to do speed work on the mill, and when I start training for the Pittsburgh Marathon I will use it a lot for hill work (we don’t have very big hills here). I think it would be so nice to be able to do that in the comforts of home, especially when it’s snowy/icy out. But, we live in a tiny duplex, and not only can we not fit a treadmill, I don’t think our downstairs neighbors would appreciate it very much…haha…
That has always been my reason for not getting any cardio equipment- downstairs neighbors!! I am not sure if I would use a treadmill enough for it to be worth buying, but I know there are some days I would really appreciate having it!
I’d never thought about a bike, but that’s a good option! I have some weights and resistance bands, but I would like to get a treadmill one day (maybe if I win the lottery??). I have had far too many runs derailed this year because it’s still in the 90s after dark…
I think a treadmill would come in really handy for those times when the weather just wont let up!
TRX looks like a great investment! I would love to have that equipment but it would be a big expense. We have a spin bike but I don’t spin anymore. I did use it for years and it was great- very durable and less than $300! If you are interested, I can let you know what kind it was. Paul and I both used and for several years and I think we only had to replace the chain thingy (it’s not a chain I just don’t know what to call it) once.
I have a pull up bar that fits in the door. I will admit, it was scary at first because I did not understand how it was just supposed to STAY THERE and hold my weight but it does! It’s very easy to put up and take down. Very good investment because you can work lots of different back and shoulder muscles by using different grips on the pull up bar.
To lift at home, I mainly use dumbbells and my pull up bar. I never even go to the gym anymore because everything I want to do I can do at home! This is only because I finally made the investment in heavier weights. It sucks to drop so much cash but the good part is metal weights will last forever, so it’s not like I will ever need to replace them. Even as I get stronger and need heavier weights, I continue to use the lighter ones for warm up sets and even lug them around for clients sometimes.
If we start to think seriously about a bike I will definitely check with you- $300 doesn’t sound bad at all!
And if I do get a pull up bar, I will need to learn these different grips so I can get a full workout on there:)
Weights are definitely such a great investment! I know I need heavier ones- at my gym I always used 10-20 lbs and that is the range we are missing at home!
The most used items in my “home gym” are definitely my dumb bells and foam rollers, but I’d love kettle balls too. An indoor bike would also be a dream, but down the line!
Kettlebells would definitely be great to have! And I figure if I keep saving money by not paying a gym membership, maybe one day it will make sense to buy a bike:)
I have a treadmill at home and I use it all the time. I’m a wuss when the cold weather comes so I am always on that thing. I teach cycle classes at the gym so that’s the last thing I want to do when I’m not working…haha. I would love to get a set of different sizes of free weights. Also that Bosu ball would be cool. So many exercises you could do on it.
I bet I would end up using a treadmill quite a bit in the winter too! I can handle the cold, its the ice that keeps me indoors.
funny, i just got a trx and blogged about it the other day. it’s a great piece of home gym equipment!
I did see your post about that! So glad you are loving your TRX!
I am super excited to get my own place in the spring so that I can get my own home gym rolling!! Right now it’s confined to my room, so I only have a yoga mat, 10lb weights and a foam roller. Looking into some good resistance bands and a stability ball for my desk though:)
I hope to someday have a treadmill (probably wishful thinking). I love your idea of the TRX Home kit… now THAT would be fun. A pull-up bar would be really fun too and would maybe force me to actually practice them more often (I get a little intimidated at my gym:)
Oh I am way too intimated to try a pull up at the gym! It will take me a while to learn to do one!
You can get an amazing full body workout with just one kettlebell (15-25 lbs) – definitely a good investment! There are so many different exercises you can do. I have that pullup bar. It works great. But if you can’t do a dead hang pull-up, I recommend getting a resistance band to hang over the bar. You just put your knee in there to take off some of the weight. It really helped me learn how to do a pull-up. I didn’t think I would ever be able to one, but I was wrong!
That’s good to know about the resistance band! I have a few but not sure if they are long enough/strong enough. I’m sure I will need some assistance when I am starting out!
I’m really fortunate – my parents have a well-stocked home gym, complete with a treadmill, an elliptical, a rower, and a bike (it’s a mountain bike with an indoor stand, nothing fancy). Unfortunately when I move out next month, I don’t get to take any of that with me 🙁
What I AM taking, though, is more than enough for a small home gym for the time being. A BOSU trainer is totally worth the investment. I got the pro version (it doesn’t have the annoying little “feet” that the home version has) and it has helped make so many basic moves much more challenging. I also have two different size yoga balls, a bunch of hand weights, therabands, silicone furniture movers for mountain climbers, etc.
I’d LOVE to get a TRX – I just need to figure out if I can install one in my condo! My PT got me hooked on those things a few years ago. I think it would be beneficial to get at least one piece of cardio equipment, even if it’s just the mountain bike and stand, so I have a cardio option in case this winter is as bad as they’re predicting. I’d also like to get a bar and some weights for deadlifts and the like.
I feel like I am going to need an indoor cardio option this winter. I will run thorough most of the winter weather, but when we have ice that just won’t melt it usually forces me inside for a few days.
Thanks for the tip about the bosu! I really think it would be a great challenge to add to my workouts!
Love my kettlebells and my spin bike! I picked up an old spin bike from Craigslist for $250 about two years ago and love it. I want a rowing machine as soon as we finish our basement. I just wish finishing our basement was in the near future. The TRX and bosu ball look like so much fun, the pull up bar not so much. Hahahaha!
Craigslist is a great idea for a spin bike! I am scared of the pull up bar but the only way I will ever learn is by doing them in the privacy of my own home:)
I am right there with you on 2, 3, and 4! My gym doesn’t have either of the three and I miss them all. I would especially love a spinning bike to make my own workouts!
It would definitely be nice to not have to go anywhere to work out!
I’d like to get a trainer for my bike, so I could ride indoors in the winter. A new treadmill would be nice (mine is 18 years old) but I use it so infrequently that I couldn’t justify the cost!
I would have a hard time justifying the cost of a treadmill as well- I would probably use it less than 5 times a year!
My family has an elliptical, a rowing machine, and weights. Nothing fancy but good for cross cardio, upper body and core work. I should take advantage more often of the rower! But I consider it a victory to have time to foam roll, stretch, and do push-ups/sit-ups before or after my runs.
That sounds like a good combo of equipment! Its always nice to have the options, even if we don’t use them that much:)
We just got a bosu ball for our home gym! It had been on our wish list for awhile and the importance of using it came up a lot with the doctors after Brian had surgery, so I surprised him 🙂 I’ve never used the TRX system, but if I knew how, I think it’s something I would love too!
If you ever have the chance to try a TRX you really should! Its been years since I used one but I remember it being a great workout!
TRX all the way. If i had one piece of at home gym equipment to use for the rest of my life, it would be that. And if you get one, I’m inviting myself over to show you the best exercises!
Do you know if other similar systems are as good as TRX? Like this one: https://www.uniquefit1.com/products/view/1839-lifeline-usa-jungle-gym-xt It’s still pricey enough that I wouldn’t want to buy it if it’s not gonna give the same quality workout- might as well wait and invest in the real thing. And if/when I get one you can totally come over and teach me how to use it!
I’ve never used anything other than the trx system, so i’m not too sure. Best bet would be to read reviews on amazon or something!
I love the Bosu. I haven’t used one since I used to see a trainer at the gym. I also may get some kettle bells since you can get such a good workout from just one. Great list. One day when I have a basement…
A kettle bell is definitely a great option- small, inexpensive, and a great way to change up your workout!
These are great home gym ideas! I haven’t tried TRX yet and really want to!
We have kettlebells at our gym and I think its such a good workout.
I for sure want a spin bike!! I am just not a treadmill lover, but I would use the bike all the time for cross training!
Have an awesome weekend!!
TRX is so great! I haven’t done it in a few years but I would love to be able to use it regularly again!
And I’m not a treadmill person either…I don’t love the bike but I think it would be better to do something besides run all the time if I were to buy a pice of cardio equipment!
I bought a bike trainer for my road bike last year and love it! I used it while training for a half ironman (didn’t happen this year) but it was so nice to jump on the bike early mornings during winter. I have several home gym items and I feel like they always get so spread out and left all over. Making a dedicated area is a must!
Yes its always good to have a dedicated area! Although my foam rollers are spread all over the house….
My co-workers just brought a TRX set to the office. They looped it through a closed door. This may have been recommended earlier, maybe a bike trainer if you have your outdoor bike?
That is really awesome that you co-workers brought a TRX to the office! I don’t have an outdoor bike- but that would definitely make sense if I did!
I love our home gym! It’s perfect for those days it’s hard to get going, or when there’s just not enough time to run when it’s still light out. We have a treadmill, a spin bike, and loads of weights. I use the treadmill the most!
That sounds like a great home gym! I hope to have all that stuff one day:)
Definitely the TRX and the kettlebells. I would have said the Bosu, but now I have one…and I hope you participate in the challenge and win one yourself!!
That would be so awesome!!
Thank you for posting this! This will be super useful as we put together our home gym.
Training is not necessarily a gym. If you want you can train well at home. I bought some equipment and now workout at home with free weights with my weight give me everything I need. Thanks for a good article