Let’s face it. Opportunities to exercise and stay fit have been admittedly harder than ever with Christmas celebrations, but as we get closer to a brand new year, perhaps it’s time to invest in your own gym equipment for your home. From weighted hula hoops to yoga mats and resistance bands – these items can really help take your workout up a notch.
Here, we’ve rounded up the very best gym equipment to invest in now and use forever, because sometimes heading out to the gym isn’t always so appealing…
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Ankle and wrist weights
Bala Bangles, £50, Urban Outfitters
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These stylish one-pound bangles can be used as wrist or ankle weights and will provide a comfortable resistance for your workouts. Due to the weight of the bangles, you can achieve a full range of motion while burning fat and building muscles, which makes them perfect for amping up yoga, pilates, and other at-home workouts.
RELATED: The best dumbbells for women
Resistance Bands
Peach Bands Resistance Bands Set, £11.99, Amazon
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If you’re working on toning your legs and glutes, having a set of resistance bands on hand is key. This set comes with two types – light and heavy, so that you can gradually build your resistance, or go light or heavy depending on the workout.
MORE: The best resistance bands to transform your body
Peloton Guide
Peloton Guide, £275, Amazon
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The Peloton Guide is an amazing at-home device. The Movement Tracker encourages members to stick with the movement for the entire time, and Body Activity helps you recognise which muscle groups you’ve already worked that week while recommending classes for a well-rounded total body routine to make sure there’s no more skipping leg day.
With Guide’s Self Mode, you’ll be able to see yourself next to the Instructor and check your form as you go through class. And you’ll also be able to use the Movement Details to look up movements you want more practice with before class.
Abdominal roller
Abdominal exercise roller, £9.99 (WAS £13.99), Amazon
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This handy tool is a great at-home exercise buy – but be sure to use the included mat so you don’t roll too fast and cause injury.
To use, get onto all fours, grab the ab roller with both hands, lift your feet and slowly roll forward and back, keeping your core tight at all times. It’ll take some practice, but you’ll get there.
Rope
Power rope, £33.99, Amazon
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If you’re got a spacious garden, this power rope could be a saviour. Attach it to a tree, or something stationary, and try to lift the whole rope using your body weight.
Powerspin
Powerball powerspin, £24.99 (WAS £27.99), Amazon
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This clever device is designed to increase strength in your arms. It works by using isometric resistance – all you need to do is move your arm, and the faster you go, the harder it works. It can also help with injuries, although it’s best to consult your doctor if possible before using it for physiotherapy.
Stationary exercise bike
Peloton +Bike, £1,230 (WAS £1,345), Amazon
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Due to the cold winter months, everyone is rushing to buy a Peloton +Bike to train indoors. The latest bike offers a rounded workout by allowing members to combine strength and cardio in one session. The new bike bootcamp classes will incorporate a bike workout as well as a floor weighted session. Classes are streamed live every day but you can also take pre-recorded classes. In addition to the bike classes. What’s more, you can get the feeling of being out on the open road. Shoppers love the sturdiness and ease of assembly.
Kettlebells
Kettlebell weight set, £29.99, Amazon
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For some simple at-home exercises, you won’t go wrong with kettlebells. We recommend opting for a selection of weights, so you can move up as you improve, or share them with others in your house.
Yoga mat
Lululemon The Mat, from £79, Lululemon
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Starting the day with a yoga class is guaranteed to set you up well, and all you need is a mat and an internet connection to access the many great tutorial videos online. We love this oh-so-pretty Lululemon mat, which features a natural rubber base with a little extra cushion to give your body more depth while your mind goes deep.
Training bands
Elastic training bands, £7.49, Amazon
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For use with gentle stretching to weight training and cross training, these bands are a handy little tool, and lightweight enough to take to the gym when you can visit again.
Weighted hula hoop
Weighted hula hoop, £29.89 (WAS £49.99), Amazon
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If you loved hula hooping as a child, this weighted version is a great way to tone your waist and hips at home – just make sure you give yourself plenty of space!
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Foam roller
Sports foam roller, £9.99 (WAS £12.99), Amazon
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Anyone who has used a foam roller before will know that they can help alleviate muscle aches – but you’ll need to go through a little pain to get there! Use this after an intense workout by rolling along your back, sides, thighs, calves – or anywhere else that feels tight. It’s designed to increase circulation and help you recover better.
Apple Fitness+
Some times it’s not what you have but how you use them. Kick start the new year with Apple Fitness+, a multidimensional workout experience built around Apple Watch, uniquely incorporating Apple Watch metrics into studio-style workouts to offer a first-of-its-kind personalised experience. Each week, the team of Fitness+ trainers will deliver fresh workouts from the studio across a range of lengths, disciplines, and music genres so there are always new workouts to explore. Choose from Cycling, Treadmill, Rowing, HIIT, Strength, Yoga, Dance, Core, and Mindful Cooldown. The service is available in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the US. It is £9.99 a month or £79.99 annually.
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