Thursday, May 13, 2021

5 Must-Have Home Fitness Products that Won't Break the Bank

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Got pandemic pounds to shed? Feeling a little loosey-goosey?

After a year of remote work, 'safer at home', and isolation, many people have found themselves tipping the scales and out of shape. In my clinic, I'm seeing it in my patients and their parents. Now that the weather is improving, getting outside and walking is a great option and a good start on the path to returning to good health.

You don't need a gym membership or a fancy home gym to aid in your quest to get in shape. I've got 5 simple and inexpensive products that are essential tools for an effective home workout program. These are all tools that I use frequently, both at home and in the gym when working with my strength coach. 

Resistance Bands

There are a variety of resistance bands available. My favorites are these latex loops that come in a variety of resistance levels from extra light to extra heavy. The loops are versatile and can be used in all kinds of exercises you can do for your upper and lower body. The important thing to remember with these bands is not to use a band that is too tight that it prevents you from doing the exercise correctly or going through the full range of motion.

Balance Disc

My strength coach has me do a variety of exercises on this wobbly device! The balance disc adds an element of instability, forcing the use of core strength. It's an inexpensive tool that will help you work on your balance and stability. It's a humbling challenge and a lot of fun!

Ab roller

We use the ab roller at CrossFit all the time where it goes by the nickname of 'evil wheel'. This tool is all about core strength and over time, will also help strengthen your lower back. It's much harder than it looks. My grandma had one of these, but I don't ever remember seeing her use it!

Jump Rope

If you are looking for an alternative to running or just want to spice up your cardio, a jump rope is a simple and inexpensive tool! There are a lot of options out there, but I like this rope for its fast turnover and comfy handles. I have yet to master double under, but truly, I'm really content to just jump like a normal person.


Lacrosse ball

For recovery from a workout, there is no better bang for your buck than a lacrosse ball. This inexpensive ball is rock hard and rolling on it works great to release muscle tightness. I've used mine on a variety of areas of the body and like that it can target one small area. I have yet to find anything that works as well for post-workout muscle pain!


I keep these 5 items in the family room by the tv, so I can easily access them while enjoying one of my shows. There's no excuse not to get it done!

What are your favorite home fitness tools? Have you ever tried using any of these items? Do you workout in front of the TV?

I'm linking up with the ladies of Fit Five Friday:  DarleneMichelleReneeJenn, and Zenaida !




35 comments :

  1. I workout at home, and I have sets of free weights, and a Pilate's ball, and my treadmill. I have been considering getting some exercise bands to use. I have used the ab wheel before, and it is indeed evil Lol it made my abs so sore! I haven't seen the small disk for balance before, seems like it would be better than the bosu which takes up a lot of room. Thanks for sharing I may add a few of these to my home gym.

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    1. I was really surprised at how inexpensive the balance disc is! It's a great tool and I use it often, although it humbles me every time!

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  2. Resistance bands are always great for the hip mobility work. I do have one of those ab wheels around somewhere but kind of forgot about it. Foam rollers are a must for me as well!

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  3. I have all 5 of these but have to admit I never use the evil wheel! I have absolutely zero core strength even though I've been working on it FOREVER. Ron is the one who uses that thing! I would add just a couple of free weights and maybe a kettle bell or two, or even a pilates ball. My favorite tools are everything to do with recovery - I have a foam roller for every occasion, a foot massager and now leg massagers!

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    1. I have all those recovery things too! But I don't use them as much as these 5 pieces of equipment!

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  4. You know me...not a home workout runner.

    But I did just buy two 4lb weights (you have to start somewhere).

    I have my tennis ball, my stationary bike...

    Waiting patiently for my little free gym to open.

    Recovery tools I like are my hot tub and my massage gun!!!!

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    1. Thinking that those 4# weights aren't going to do much for you...

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  5. I usually keep bands and weights by the couch and the bike is there too. I have to admit I don’t always think to use them though. I might need that evil wheel and balance ball.

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  6. I've been using resistance bands this year and really like them. I found some great videos on Amazon prime (and some not so great, ha!) That balance ball looks interesting!

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    1. There's just no excuse not to get in shape! With all the videos on Youtube, you can't beat it.

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  7. I love, love, love my resistance bands, BOSU ball and stability ball. But I'm very intrigued by the wobble cushion (mostly because it takes up far less room than my BOSU ball). And I've wanted a jump rope forever but got lost in all the available options.

    Thanks for pulling this post together.

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    1. Glad you liked it! It is so overwhelming trying to pick out equipment! I do love that balance disc and the price is right.

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    2. PS I tried to go to your blog but got a warning from Chrome...

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  8. That is hilarious about the ab roller- my grandparents also had one! And I never saw them use it either- but my sister and I would try it out sometimes when we visited them. Yes- it's actually really hard. I didn't realize they were still around, but now I want to get one.

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    1. Same!!! And yes, it is really hard but wow is it effective.

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  9. That balance disk looks interesting...does it work like a Bosu ball? That's something I've had my eye on for awhile, and apparently have been too subtle in the hints I've dropped. We have an ab roller, but it feels funky on my knee's scar tissue, so I don't play with it very often.

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    1. The balance disc does work like a Bosu, but it is much smaller. The price tag is much smaller too, and that makes it really attractive. Go ahead and splurge! It's $15.

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    2. By the way, I can't reply on your blog. Chrome is giving me a warning about phishing.

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  10. I don't usually work out in front of the tv -- I use my ipad, and I do it downstairs (aka my fitness room).

    Resistance bands are really versatile! I use them, and I almost always travel with them, too.

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    1. That's one of the best things about resistance bands--they are so portable!

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  11. My resistance bands and the Bosu are two of my favorite go to's. I'm liking the idea of that balance disc as I'm thinking it would take up less room than the Bosu. Those ab rollers are evil...but I think I may want one LOL

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    1. I love the balance disc and the price is irresistible! I think we all should have evil wheels so we can commiserate.

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  12. I use my resistance bands all the time! And I used to use an ab roller a long time ago when I went to the gym. It was so tough!

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  13. This is a great selection of fitness tools, Wendy!
    I'll will need to get that wobbly disc, looks very useful.
    We just got an offer to join the gym for USD 150.- for 4 months - a great bargain. But with all the tools at home, I'm not sure I want to (especially since masks will not be dropped anytime soon).

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  14. Holy Smokes, Good On You - So Proud Of You For Promoting These Simple Steps - Coffee Talk Time, Those Resistant Bands, In That Same Position There, Cramps My TFL Like Crazy - When I Began Using The AB Roller, My Right Hammie Would Burn Like Nobodies Business - And To This Day, Still Cant Chew Gum And Jump Rope, Whats With My Coordination - But Hey, Stay With It, Baby Steps, And Results Will Emerge Soon Enough - Be Well, Stay Strong, And Tell The Hubby That I Say YO

    Cheers

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    1. The ab roller hurts my low back because, yeah, I have a weak core. WORK IN PROGRESS

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  15. I want a balance disk! I haven't seen that before, but it looks like it would be great for me!

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  16. I've been wanting to jump rope and will look into the one you have. The lacrosse ball sounds painful! I like my massage gun.

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    1. Well, the point of the post was to share items that are inexpensive...glad you like your massage gun but I'm pretty sure the ball works just as well, lol

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