I’ll start with space- and budget-friendly items, then move on to some bigger-ticket buys.
The basic cast iron throw in is usually cheapest, while the colorfulcompetition style kettlebellsfeel a bit nicer.
By the way, I havea guide hereto buying your first (or next) kettlebell.
This lets you do cleans, presses, and snatches, rather than limiting you to swings.
A doorway pull-up bar likethis onebarely takes up any space, but it opens up a ton of possibilities.
A spin bike
Cardio isgood for you.
I keep telling myself this, and Im almost starting to believe it.
The price range of options here is wide.
A rowing machine
My first choice for a cardio machine is the bike, as mentioned earlier.
But if you want another rig, Id vote for a rower.
Rowers involve your full body, and theyre great for interval training.
(Not a rower person?
Mythirdchoice would be a treadmill.)
Dumbbells
Dumbbells are a great way to lift weights at home.
Or go with my colleague Meredith Dietz’s favorite, theRep Quickdraw.
Get a 45-pound or 20-kilogram bar likethis oneunless you have a specific reason to get something else.
(Women who do Crossfit or Olympic weightlifting may prefer the15-kilogram women’s barthat is used in competitions.)
Theyre sturdy, appropriately heavy, and up to almost any job.
Get any kind that appeals to you: regular metal plates, plastic-coated ones, vintage-style deep dish.
There are folding racks, half racks, and full racks.
Sandbags
Sandbags are the under-appreciated workhorses of many a home gym.
Sand is dirt cheapalmost literallybut expect to pay a few bucks for aquality fabric sandbagto put it in.
(That said, youcanDIY this,and we have instructions.)
Yes, you might even press it overhead if youre careful.
You’ll want to go withstrongman style bagsfor the heavier weights.
Withone box, you’re able to do box jumps or box squats.
The possibilities are endless.
After a normal barbell, a typical next purchase is asafety squat bar.
Alogis another great strongman/strongwoman option, or anEZ-curl barfor the bodybuilder.
Or grab atrap barto do deadlifts on easy mode.
