It is important to choose the good home gym and fitness equipment at home, adapted to your goals and your physical abilities.
The articles in this section present the sports equipment and the methods or books to be preferred for your sessions at home. They are classified into 5 categories (click on the links to access each section):
EQUIP YOUR HOME GYM : Of course, it is not because I encourage my readers to use other techniques at home that I am against free loads. If you're under 50 and have no joint problems, this is a great way to build muscle using dumbbells, kettlebells, barbells, cast iron plates, an incline or multi-function bench.
ELASTIC WEIGHT BANDS : Complete article to help you understand the interest of latex tubes to replace dumbbells and advice on choosing them.
TRX SUSPENSION STRAPS : Discover 10 essential reasons to use suspension trainers, especially if you are a beginner. They will help you get in shape quickly and lose weight.
CARDIO EQUIPMENT : The elliptical and the rower are the stars of home cardio. You will understand why and how to make the most of it by reading these articles.
Table of Contents
Our latest articles on home sports equipment
How to choose your home gym equipment?
This is a question you need to ask yourself before you even start looking. Otherwise, like many people, you will buy sports equipment that you will never use. In fact, it's best to start at bodyweight or the bare minimum before deciding what's right for you.
Then, take the time to shop around for the equipment that fits your space, your budget, and your goals.
Here are some examples of sports equipment featured throughout the pages of this blog:
Resistance Bands
They are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to replace weights and dumbbells. Their great versatility and ease of transport represent incredible advantages in everyday life. Not to mention the extremely reduced risk of injury.
If like me and many other home bodybuilders you decide to invest in this sports equipment, you will probably not be disappointed. It is true that it takes a little time to adapt when you have practiced with dumbbells, but the results are surprising!
If you are not equipped with an elastic band, I recommend one of the 2 very complete kits offered by the European brand company SmartWorkout:
Not only are they offered at very attractive prices, but you have free access to 3 very complete workout programs and access to videos. Here's what the SmartWorkout Elite Pack includes:
- 7 natural latex 100 % tubes, which can provide up to 120 kg of resistance;
- 1 bar with integrated fasteners for attaching rubber bands;
- 2 non-slip silicone handles for a better grip;
- 2 neoprene padded ankle straps;
- 1 thick easy to install door anchor;
- 4 unbreakable stainless steel carabiners;
- 1 compact bag to carry the kit anywhere;
- 3 strength training programs included for free (Express, SmartGains, Strong & Beautiful).
One of their strong point is a free and fast delivery in 2 to 5 working days (Express 24h also available).
Amazon has some great models too, but you have to be careful of the many low-quality products. Here are the only ones I can decently recommend:
TRX hanging straps
They are the best of the best for dynamic HIIT sessions and strengthening the abdominal muscles. If you're looking for the best transportable equipment to get back in shape, suspension trainers are probably the place to start.
This is especially the case if your goal is to get back in shape quickly. I found them a great help when my primary goal was to lose weight because they allow you to do hyper dynamic sessions without putting stress on the joints.
Sports equipment for cardio training
Like all other muscles, the heart needs tailored training. In fact, your entire cardiovascular system needs it. This section tells you about the amazing benefits of some gym-grade equipment.
For me, the elliptical and the rower are the kings in this field. I invite you to read the articles concerning them to convince yourself of this. The disadvantage is that this material is quite expensive and you should not compromise on quality. In addition, you need space to install them in your home.
Weight benches and machines
Free weights or weights have been around since humans sought to build muscle. It is only very recently that modern materials have made it possible to turn to effective alternatives. But of course, bars and dumbbells remain essential for some.
And to get the most out of the free loads I talk about next, you need a straight or tilting bench. I therefore regularly talk about this accessory on this site. If he has candles to put a bar on, that's even better.
Also, this blog features notable or useful sports equipment like pull-up bars, dip stations, roman chairs, sports mat and others. Each equipment has its qualities and the choice often depends on your budget and the space available in your home.
High-end machinery
For their home gym, some also invest in top-of-the-range weight machines such as complete benches with smith machines. It is true that they offer many exercise possibilities with the bar supports. They are usually provided with a high pulley as well as a vertical pulley. In addition, these machines allow you to use very heavy loads to gain muscle mass. But the price can be scary 😨
That being said, it allows you to have a real gym at home to work all the muscle groups thoroughly. And you can save money in the long run if there are several of you who use this sports equipment in the family.
Free weights (dumbbells, bars, kettlebells)
What are called free loads are the famous dumbbells, short, long or EZ bars, kettlebells, etc. You must of course buy a must-have weight bench to fully benefit from it. It must be said that these are two almost inseparable accessories.
The major problem with this equipment is related to their primary quality: They are heavy and therefore very expensive to transport. It's not your letter carrier who's going to deliver 50 kilos of cast iron to you… unless it's an Eastern European hammer thrower.
At Amazon, there are currently very interesting models such as those of the Ativafit brand (table updated regularly):
Avalon Gear also offers pairs of adjustable dumbbells with tight prices in France. Here are some models from its range, but you will find others on the site:
| MODEL | Total weight | PRICE |
| 2 times 2 to 20 kilos Compact | 40kg | 449,90 € |
| 2 times 2.5 to 24 kilos | 48kg | 389,90 € |
| 2 times 4 to 32 kilos Compact | 64kg | 559,90 € |
| 2 times 4 to 40 kilos | 80kg | 589,90 € |
The advantage of having a bench and a pair of adjustable dumbbells is that you can do a wide variety of exercises with a lot of weight without needing a lot of space.
To work all parts of the body, I still recommend that you invest in elastic bands. This will allow you to work the hamstrings, adductors and abductors. Indeed, this part of the body is difficult to solicit with free loads.
What equipment to build muscle at home?
To tell the truth, the world of bodybuilding and fitness is very vast and there is something for everyone. What should determine your choice of equipment is above all your age, your current physical abilities and your more or less long-term objective.
If you just want to be toned and fit, or you're over 40, I recommend above all the TRX straps and elastic bands. Indeed, they allow you to build muscle without putting stress on the joints. Don't get me wrong, this material allows you to gain muscle, but more like a gymnast than a bodybuilder.
If your goal is really muscle mass, you can turn to specific devices and cast iron in shambles. But the cost will necessarily be heavier too, especially for ultra-robust equipment 😉
Afterwards, there is the possibility of aiming between the two by opting for a reclining bench, adjustable dumbbells, a set of elastic bands with handles and loop tapes, as well as TRX straps. For me, it's the best compromise, the one that gives the most at the best price and with a small footprint.
Where to buy home gym equipment?
There's no shortage of choice, whether online or in-store. Here are the shops that are, in my experience, the best placed on weight training equipment to create your home gym station:
SmartWorkout is the most interesting French brand at the moment for resistance bands. Their 2 kits are not expensive with 7 elastic tubes and the straight bar option.
Amazon offers a good choice of adjustable dumbbells, weight benches with guided loads and TRX or similar straps. However, I encourage you to follow my recommendations because you can find anything and everything there.
Avalon Gear is a very good choice in France at present for adjustable dumbbells. To pay less, you have to wait 4 weeks for delivery, but you can also have it delivered by express.
Gorilla Sport is undoubtedly the reference store in France for those who want to equip their home gym like a real professional gym. And their prices are very competitive in this sector.
Go Sports has been known to the general public for many years. From time to time you will find very competitive offers on classic dumbbells or entry-level equipment.
Home gym and fitness equipment: Conclusion
Choose the good home gym equipment, this is super important for your success! It can be the difference between effective training and a huge lack of motivation.
Is it possible to find cheap TRX straps for weight training sessions at home? Is there a weight machine to use in an apartment and what are the benefits of the elliptical trainer or hanging straps ? Are resistance bands better than dumbbells for doing strength training at home?
You often have more questions than answers, but Sports at Home is there to give you practical advice and guide you in making the best choice.
Which weight bench, pull-up bar, which elastic bands to buy? We also establish comparisons of the best home gym and fitness equipment for anyone who exercises at home to build muscle or lose weight. This allows you to make the right choice of equipment without breaking the bank.
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Related words : home gym training product selection olympic bar short professional squat
Last updated on 2022-03-03 / Affiliate links / Some images are sourced from the Amazon Product Advertising API
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