A good set of resistance tubing or bands is one of the best things for a home gym. If you are like me and your “home gym” is a space in your living room and you need to store your workout equipment then resistance bands are an essential. For more ideas, see my top five cheap home gym essentials.
Feeling Fit was pleased to host a giveaway for a set of Aurorae Fitness Resistance Bands (closed 11/14/2016). I received a free set of resistance bands to feature and so did one lucky reader!
Five Cheap “Home Gym” Essentials:
1. Resistance Bands Set With Door Anchor
A good resistance tubing set allows me to replicate many weight lifting exercises. I can also duplicate nearly about any cable exercise I would do in a gym using the handles, ankle straps and door anchors. The bands represent different resistance levels (equivalent to different weights), and you can combine them for more challenge. By adding more bands, you can add as much resistance as you need (at some point only limited by the strength and durability of your door, wall, or table).
2. Gliding Disks or Valslides
I completed a fitness program that used Valslides to add a challenge to classic exercises such as lunges. I probably shouldn’t admit this, but Valslides were not in my budget, so I used furniture sliders instead. They look virtually identical except they are not as colorful. Gliding disks add a balance and core strength element to many exercises. They can also be used for low impact cardio exercises. They are a great way to put the “fun” in functional training.
3. Yoga Mat
I love my Aurorae yoga mat and have been using it for a few years. A yoga mat is handy whether you do yoga, pilates, barre, body weight circuits or just like to stretch or do core exercises after your workout.
4. Ugi Ball, Medicine Ball or Kettlebell
The above three are all very different, but I combined them because they all serve the same purpose. They all add a functional fitness element to your workouts and can help both with building strength and aerobic conditioning.
5. Computer, Tablet, or Phone and Bluetooth Speaker
I love to use workout media such as DVDs, apps or streaming video workouts. I also like to listen to upbeat music while I exercise (or relaxing music during yoga and stretches). I also sometimes follow paper programs from books or e-books and like to load the workouts onto my Kindle or tablet. My devices are my constant home workout companion.
6. Bonus: A Foam Roller
A foam roller is useful for core exercises and also for self-massage. I like to use mine during my warm up and also during active rest breaks between strength exercises or circuits. The foam roller I have is hollow, the space inside is just large enough I can fit my yoga mat inside (tightly rolled up). As someone who exercises in my living room, it is important that my equipment is easy to store in a closet or cupboard.
Now it is your turn!
Of course, there are so many great bodyweight exercises that no one really “needs” any equipment to stay healthy and fit.
While not necessary, I was able to get all the above items plus a jump rope, hula hoop, set of adjustable dumbells and a foldable ballet barre for less than the price of a new treadmill or other home exercise machine. If I were talking to a friend who wants to start exercising at home, I would suggest the friend starts with resistance bands and a decent yoga mat.
I think everyone has their own essentials. I chose mine based on price, ease of storage and versatility. I am curious what Feeling Fit readers consider essential…
Discussion Topic: For those who workout at home, what are your home gym “essentials”?
About The Aurorae Yoga Resistance Bands Mentioned
I am a big fan of Aurorae Yoga products. I own several of their fitness and yoga apparel and accessories — some purchased some received to review. So far, I have been pleased with everything I own from Aurorae Yoga.
If you do not already have a set of resistance bands, here is your chance to try and win one! If you do, this is a great chance to expand your set. Resistance bands are wonderful for home workouts and also for travel as they take very little space in a carry-on bag or suitcase! Good luck! This giveaway closed 11:57 EST, on 11/24/2015T. Congratulations to winner Nichole!
This set from Aurorae Yoga includes:
- Five resistance tubes with weight equivalents: Yellow 2-4 lbs., Blue 4-6 lbs., Green 10-12 lbs., Black 15-20 lbs., Red 25-30 lbs
- LIFETIME GUARANTEE for RESISTANCE BANDS, no questions asked
- Combine multiple resistance bands for a CUSTOMIZED level of RESISTANCE
- EXTRA THICK PADDED HANDLES for maximum comfort during workout
- Resistance Bands Manufactured with DURABLE, HIGH-GRADE LATEX RUBBER
Where To Purchase Items Mentioned:
The Aurorae Yoga Resistance Band set is available through their website at www.auroraeyoga.com or through Amazon. My other home gym essentials are also available through Amazon…
This set would be handy for working out this fall/winter.
I usually use a yoga mat and some hand weights
I am trying to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle, so this would be awesome to have!
since both my husband and I suffer from tendinitis due to injuries (one thing you’ll discover when you get older is, if you happen to be unlucky enough to suffer a major injury when you’re young, you WILL suffer from it when you’re older too!) we BOTH would benefit from this giveaway!
These would be amazing to own. I love all of the ideas in this post.
I’d say the resistance bands are within my fitness wheelhouse. The foam roller probably as well. I’m leaving the kettle ball alone.
This would be an asset to workout items!!
This would be great to add to my workout routine!