Workout at Home with These Cheap Fitness Tools

Is your gym still closed, or you still don’t feel comfortable sweating next to others during COVID-19? No problem! Workout at home with these cheap fitness tools.

COVID-19 has put a number of businesses at risk, especially fitness studios and gyms. Back in March 2020, boutique brick-and-mortar fitness studios were the biggest driver of growth in the $85 billion fitness industry and group training was ranked as the third hottest fitness trend of 2020 by The American College of Sports Medicine.

Then, shelter in place became a reality in many states, and suddenly the fitness industry had to pivot or shut down. Both Gold’s Gym and 24-Hour Fitness were forced to file Chapter 11, in addition to closing up to 50% of locations nationwide.

Those aren’t the only ones impacted. A staggering 95% of ClassPass, Inc.’s, revenue evaporated in April, which led the company to reduce its workforce by 50%. ClassPass is a fitness booking app created to enroll subscribers in a variety of fitness classes at more than 30,000 member health clubs across the U.S., and was valued at $1 billion in early January.

Luckily, many fitness companies have been able to pivot into online or virtual workout models. Yet, for many consumers, the gym environment has been the biggest motivator for their fitness.

Are you a gym junkie? How has social distancing changed your workouts?

Personally, I have spent a number of years dedicated to a home fitness practice– both while working full time outside the home and also while working part-time and helping kids with hybrid schooling at home.

Whether you enjoy virtual workouts or not, here are my top recommended fitness tools to build your home gym. These tools are guaranteed to get your heart pumping, your muscles growing, and your mind engaged. I am also including either a DVD recommendation or YouTube video to safely train at home.

Please do NOT start using any of these fitness tools without understanding proper form and technique as demonstrated by a certified trainer.

By the way, I applaud those people who have $3000 laying around to drop on a Peloton or Mirror, but this article is for those of you who perhaps lost your job or have reduced income as a result of COVID-19. You certainly don’t need fancy or expensive equipment to get a great workout. After all, we all know that Rocky boxed with frozen sides of beef, right?

Least Expensive- $25 or less

Yoga mat

One of the biggest challenges of working out at home is finding a space where you can stretch out comfortably. If your house is small or the distractions are many, consider getting a yoga mat and taking your practice in the yard or at a nearby park.

Yoga mats don’t need to be just for yoga- you can also do traditional exercises such as situps, pushups and leg stretches on the mat. I highly recommend a double-padded yoga mat, such as this one.

Youtube video recommendation: Yoga with Adriene.

Resistance bands

These are by far the most versatile fitness tool out there. Often sold in packs of 3, from lightest to heaviest resistance, resistance bands allow you to get a full body workout in minutes. I have used both the ones with handles (less versatile), the open-ended ones, and the huge “rubber-band” ones.

Personally, I preferred the non-handled varieties. Please note: these need to be replaced every so often, as the rubber may fray.

DVD recommendation: Mama Wants her Body Back

Ankle weights

Ankle weights are not just for your ankles! You can also use them on your arms, and build your arm muscles while logging onto a work meeting or walking in your neighborhood. Ankle weights are light resistance, so appropriate for beginners. Also, if your kids tend to get curious about your equipment, these are more “safe” than say a 20 pound kettlebell.

YouTube video recommendation: Trifecta Pilates

Foam roller

The more you sit, the tighter your muscles get. If you have taken to the trails recently, too, either as a walker or runner, you might find your hips and legs getting sore and tight.

Enter the foam roller! This is a tool that can help you stretch and flex parts of your body that are hurting, sore, or otherwise inactive through your typical activities. The one I purchased also came with a DVD showing me how to use it properly.

YouTube tutorial: Physical therapists Bob and Brad help you decide which foam roller is right for you.

Note: foam rolling can cause discomfort, so be prepared to work those muscles.

Jump rope

This tool may feel a bit juvenile, but jumping rope has numerous cardio benefits. Plus, it could be a useful “movement break” tool if you only have a few minutes in between meetings. No need to stress about 30 minutes of continuous activity- jumping rope several times a day can have even more benefits than doing it continuously.

Fitness dice

This one is the wild card, but can provide the novelty of not knowing what your home workout will look like. Simply roll the dice, and get moving. This is useful for people who get easily bored, or don’t want to create their own fitness routine. Commit to a certain number of minutes or moves, and your home workout is complete!

Find fitness dice here on Amazon.

More Expensive- $30 or more

Core Ball

I first used a core ball after my back surgery, as I needed to retrain my weakened core muscles. Core balls are small to large size soft balls that are often referred to as stability balls. I still use my core ball, even without any injury or physical therapy. As a bonus, a core ball is a great “office chair” to use for your home office, especially with extended sitting throughout the day.

The core ball requires you to have good posture while using your stomach muscles to hold yourself upright. Plus, it can be used with many traditional workout moves, as an additional balance challenge.

YouTube video recommendation: 12 minute ab workout with Heather Robertson.

Kettlebell

I once asked for a kettlebell for Christmas, and got one! My kettlebell is adjustable, but you can also buy a set of kettlebells with different weights, get a soft kettlebell, or even transform your dumbbell into a kettlebell with this grip. If you are a beginner, please do NOT get all macho and get the heaviest kettlebell. Start with anywhere from 10-20 pounds.

If you have never done kettlebell moves, I highly recommend you seek a personal trainer who is certified in kettlebell moves. Your local community center or independent trainers might be available to walk you through the moves in person. The chance of injury is higher with kettlebells, as the one-handed grip can tax your muscles differently if form is poor.

YouTube video recommendation: BodyFit by Amy 1o minute total body.

Dumbbells

Dumbbells are my favorite, and my husband owns a set from even before we got married. Today, dumbbells are available in many varieties, including fancy adjustable sets that can go up to 200 pounds (and up to $1000).

If you are a woman, you may be tempted to simply get a 2 pound set at your local Target. However, those 2 pounders will not give you much of a workout over time, and resistance bands may be a better bet for your if that is your thought process.

Dumbbells come in Neoprene, coated or Hex, and some include sets with a rack. This is a similar set to what my husband brought to our marriage (and has been so helpful with all of my home fitness routines).

Since many local fitness centers are closing- you may want to consider looking at purchasing used dumbbells, which you can also find at Johnson Fitness or Facebook Marketplace.

YouTube video recommendation: Fitness Blender.

Medicine Ball

Medicine balls are similar to kettlebells, but they come in a couple of varieties. There are “slam balls”, which are hard and will bounce, or “soft balls”, which do not bounce. Both varieties have their uses.

Medicine balls can range from 2 lbs to 25 lbs, and which weight you need depends on your training level. Personally, I use a 10 lb slam ball, which I love. 10 pounds is too hard for some arm movements for me, and too easy for some leg movements. However, it is a fabulous weight for core moves.

DVD recommendation: Keaira LaShae

Running Shoes

Whether you walk or run, perhaps you are hitting the mileage hard. In any case, a good pair of tennis shoes are priceless. Tennis shoe prices range widely, and I encourage you to get fitted properly, especially if you plan on running.

As a good rule of thumb, shoes should be replaced every 300 miles or so, unless the shoe is falling apart prior to that. In this article, a podiatrist and shoe manufacturer agree that the following are signs to replace your shoes:

1. The heel is breaking down
2. You have foot pain
3. You suffer from plantar fasciitis (stabbing pain in your arch or heel)
4. The cushion is compressed and doesn’t “pop”
5. You feel more fatigued post workout

Other Equipment

Unless you are an intermediate to advanced gym-goer who is comfortable (re)creating your own fitness routine at home, you probably have no need of more specialized equipment such as weight benches (a chair or core ball works just as well), TRX straps, pull-up bars, ab rollers or ab wheels, Olympic barbells, or total home gyms.

Do you have any of these fitness tools that you use to workout at home? Which do you find yourself using MOST?