On this page, I have gathered all the most suitable strength training for building muscle at home . Each piece of equipment has its pros and cons, but they've all been proven to build muscle for a long time.
Afterwards, it is often a question of preference or mobility.
The effective equipment to build muscle at home
If you want to move around with your equipment, you should obviously go for resistance bands or TRX type suspension straps. If you are young, and have room at home and a larger budget, free weights (dumbbells and barbell) can make you happy.
We are therefore going to review the main equipment to use according to your objectives to make a real gym at home. Even those who live in a studio can find what they are looking for.
This is particularly true with the nomadic equipment par excellence that I present to you right away:
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strength training resistance bands
To build muscle at home like in a gym, but without taking the risks associated with handling heavy loads, resistance bands are perfect. You just have to choose the kit adapted to your profile.
However, you have to search a lot on the Internet to find good quality kits in France. I discovered this equipment with the excellent Bodylastics brand. The problem is that they no longer sell in Europe and that it is almost impossible to have it delivered, even by ordering on their official website in the United States. Damage…
Fortunately, I ended up finding a very good French supplier with equipment that was both economical and of good quality.
We recommend one of the 2 resistance bands from the SmartWorkout brand. They are offered at attractive prices, and you will have free access to 3 strength training and videos. In addition, you have 10% discount with this link . Here's what the Elite Pack includes:
- 7 natural latex tubes (120 kg resistance expandable to 160 kg)
- 1 bar to attach elastics
- 2 non-slip handles
- 2 padded ankle straps
- 1 door anchor
- 4 stainless steel carabiners
- 1 carrying bag
You can also buy the SmartWorkout Pro pack which includes exactly the same elements, except the bar.
Right now, here are the only natural latex resistance bands I recommend on Amazon UK:
The suspension straps
For me, the ideal equipment for building muscle at home or elsewhere includes suspension straps. They form a real winning duo with resistance bands , especially when you want to be able to train anywhere.
Even if you don't buy the original brand of TRX straps, always pay attention to the quality of the model you choose, especially with regard to the attachments. That's why I recommend the following models:
TRX Go straps – the first price TRX
TRX straps are the world reference for suspension straps. Their big flaw lies in their price, but this model offers excellent value for money.
TRX Pro straps – the top of the range
If for you, there is no negotiation possible and you want the best whatever the price, the TRX Pro strap is the reference model.
This model is so resistant that the whole family can train at the same time 😉 But the credit card will heat up a bit...
Wall mount for TRX straps
If you want to fix the straps to the wall or the ceiling (pay attention however to the resistance of the support, also equip yourself with an X-mount wall or ceiling fixing .
Build muscle at home by bodyweight
Of course, I couldn't have a complete shop without the equipment related to bodyweight muscle work.
For example, I explained the importance of pull-ups in an article on this blog. I could do the same with dips, as these exercises have things in common, in particular their ability to develop a concrete bust.
Here is the equipment you need to perform pull-ups and dips in good conditions.
door pull up bar
If you take a model that is tightened on the frame, be careful to tighten it well so that it does not slip during the exercise and that your doorposts are strong enough. In general, this equipment is not suitable for people over 75 kg.
Do not hesitate to take a tour on Amazon to see the different bars available. There are options that take the whole door frame is much more stable. However, you should check if they match the width of your wall.
Wall-mounted pull-up bar
This type of wall-mounted pull-up bar is the best of the best, but it does require a solid wall and a permanent location. Don't buy this if you don't want a permanent installation or don't have any tools to attach them to the wall.
To help you choose, here are interesting pull-up bar models for the home (portable or fixed):
Dip station
This is the killer piece of equipment for pecs, triceps and lats. But you have to drool at the beginning to get there. I recommend this material if you are still young and have no joint problems in the elbows or shoulders.
Otherwise, switch to dips supported on a bench or assisted with resistance bands as in these videos:
Roman chair
It's a fabulous multifunctional piece of equipment, but it takes up space. A Roman chair will allow you to work the abs and do dips and pull-ups. In addition, this model has a straight bench that folds up to save a little space.
- 【MULTIFUNCTION】Power tower, also called Roman chair, dip...
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- 【COMFORT】For a non-slip workout, we have...
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Load-guided strength training station
Guided load machines are quite expensive when they are of good quality. But if you take care of it, you can use yours for many years. The last multifunction bench I owned was still in perfect condition after 10 years when I sold it. And yet, I used it 5 times a week.
If like me you sweat a lot, I advise you to wipe it with a damp cloth at the end of your session. And beware of the price, it stings a bit…
Dumbbells and bars
It's true, I prefer nomadic and light equipment for training. Today, it is quite possible to build muscle at home without the hassle of bars, discs and dumbbells.
However, I must admit that sessions with free weights are also of real interest if you are under 35 and want to gain a lot of muscle volume. I say a lot , because you can already take enough with my 2 previous choices.
For free weights you need at least a pair of adjustable dumbbells. This will be more than enough for most of you. Especially if you choose a pair of 40 kilos. You should know that it is more difficult to bench press at 80 kilos with dumbbells than at 120 kilos with a barbell.
Adjustable Adjustable Dumbbells
There is no better today if you like sessions with free weights. The initial investment is significant, but a pair of adjustable dumbbells replaces 10 to 15 pairs.
I know it's trendy, but I don't recommend plastic or concrete models. You would regret it very quickly. They are too bulky and eventually leak or break.
In France, the serious supplier who offers the best prices on quality dumbbells is Avalon Gear. Click on the links below to discover its 8 options of the moment:
| AVALON GEAR MODELS (BowFlex type) | Total weight | PRICE |
| A pair of 2.5 to 24 kilos | 48kg | 399,90 € |
| A pair of 4 to 40 kilos | 80kg | 579,90 € |
If despite everything you absolutely want to buy the complete equipment of a strength training room, then you will also have to invest in a straight bar, a pair of candles for squats and a tilting bench with supports for the bench press. In my reviews , an EZ bar is a real boost for biceps and triceps.
In this case, I recommend the following equipment to build muscle at home while controlling your budget:
Long bar
A 120-150cm straight bar will do for most of you for squats and bench press. But it will probably be necessary to think about buying additional cast iron discs.
EZ Bar
An EZ bar is great for biceps and triceps exercises because it allows you to work the muscles from another angle. Here is a template for you:
- With the professional barbell bar from TecTake you...
- Dumbbell training allows you to design...
- The SZ barbell bar is equipped with clamping rings made of...
Cast iron discs 5 kg
You will probably need additional cast iron discs, especially for the bench press and squats. Here is a batch of 4 X 5 kg. You can also choose them in 2 X 10 kg.
Be careful, prices have exploded in recent years on cast iron discs...
strength training floor mat to build muscle at home
The SquareFit Workout Floor Mat is ideal for setting up a bench and using dumbbells. That way, you don't damage the floor and limit the noise for any neighbors. I've had it for a while and really fell in love with it.
- YOUR GYM IN ANY ROOM - Unroll...
- ULTRA RESISTANT - High density shape memory material....
- UNIQUE DOUBLE-SIDED COATING - The top surface of the...
Tilting bench with press support
To train with dumbbells or a bar, a tilting bench is ESSENTIAL. Otherwise, your sessions will always be limited and certain exercises such as barbell rows will put too much tension on your lower back.
Squat rack
For squats, you should not complain about the quality because the risk of injury is greater than with other exercises. That's why I recommend a safe and solid model of candles to do squats.
Build muscle at home – Conclusion
It's hard to list all the equipment you can buy to build muscle, but here you have the most commonly used ones.
What do you think of the material presented in this list? What is your favorite equipment for your sessions? Or do you just prefer bodyweight training?
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Last updated on 2023-10-01 / Affiliate links / Some images come from Amazon Product Advertising API
