Must have home gym equipment

A common question I get is, “What equipment do I need to have an effective home gym?”  This is a great question and I will answer this with a “Minimalist Mindset” taking space and money into consideration. 

1) Yoga Mat.  Everyone has their own body weight that can be used as resistance.  A Yoga mat is a great first purchase as it allows you to do Yoga, core exercises, stretching, etc. on a comfortable surface.  Since these mats can be rolled up or hung on a wall and don’t take up much space they are a great start.  An additional bonus is you can easily pack them in a gym bag or suitcase during travel or for outdoor use.

2) Resistance Bands.  There will be future posts on this piece of equipment as there are many to choose from.  To start with get 3-4 different bands (each will have a different tension level) with a door anchor and ankle strap.  By having these three pieces you can add many exercises in addition to body weight.  Like the Yoga Mat they also don’t take up much space and are easy to travel with.

3) Foam Roller.  This piece of equipment allows you to do “Self Massage” on many different muscle groups.  For most people getting one that is about 12” long and hollow is space efficient, travels well (the hollow ones are easily carried by putting a gym bag or suitcase strap through it), and are extremely durable.

Regarding cost all the equipment together will be a total investment of $100-200.  Whether you are a college student living in a dorm room or someone who owns a home, the above is a great space efficient first step to being able to exercise more effectively at home.