Squeezing in a pre-work sweat sesh or a spot of lunchtime yoga is far more achievable when the studio is in the next room. But until recently, we’ve held home gyms in the same category as the home cinemas, tennis courts, steam rooms and bowling alleys that we usually only get a glimpse of during jaw-on-the-floor celebrity house tours.
However, given the current circumstance of 2021, working out from home has quickly moved from a luxury to a necessity.
So if space and spare cash are both limited but you’re still interested in getting fit from the living room, here are our top product picks for setting up your at-home gym on the cheap.
Fila FID Bench
Now this adjustable steel frame will really legitimise your home gym. With flat, incline and decline positions, you can take your core strength to a new level and start sculpting that six-pack.
$89 at Target
65cm Gym Ball
Available in three soft, pearly shades, this gym ball is as pretty and affordable as they come. Use it to assist your stretching and promote better posture.
$7.50 at Kmart
Fila Yoga Block
Delve deeper into your stretches and enjoy support throughout your yoga practice with your own stability block. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced yogi, any level will benefit from having the extra help on hand.
$4 at Target
PTP Pilates Balls
For effective stimulation of the smaller, hard-to-reach muscles, these unassuming yet lethal balls are an essential sidekick to any pilates and barre workouts.
$29.99 at Rebel Sport
GAIAM Performance Coreplus Pilates Reformer
Designed to mimic the workout of a reformer machine, this manual workout uses X-shaped resistance bands to tone, strengthen and stretch. And if you’re not exactly sure how to use it, each band comes with a free online workshop.
$39.95 at The Iconic
The Yogi Mat
Rolled out in your living room or in a nice sunny spot in the park, this ultra-cushy mat offers the traction and grip needed to perform yoga poses. Don’t be fooled into thinking Kmart’s price tag reflects the quality, either. It works a treat!
$29 at Kmart
4 Micro Stretch Bands
For small motion exercises, these resistance band levels range from light to extra heavy. Adjust accordingly.
$7.50 at Kmart
TOPKO Suspension Trainer Training Straps Body Strength Exercise Fitness Home Gym Kit
Suitable for avid athletes or first-time exercisers, this at-home approved tool anchors to the back of any door and allows users to instantly strengthen their chest, back abdominals, arms and legs.
$29.99 at Dick Smith
Celsius Deluxe Skipping Rope
If you’re after a total body workout, skipping will raise your heart rate and provide rapid, all-over toning. Just ask Catherine Zeta-Jones’ abs.
$14.95 at Rebel Sport
Kettle Bell 8kg
If you’ve been using bags of rice or pots and pans as makeshift weights, it’s time to treat yourself to the real thing. These affordable, cast iron kettlebells range between 2-12 kilos. And whether you’re after just the one or the entire set, move fast because these home workout essentials sell out quick.
$25 at Kmart
These are unbelievable bargains. The Fila frame looks like a torture chair, but I’m sure it would be helpful!
Super affordable
Kmart does have a good range of products, I use their kettle bells! Slowly adding to the collection at home since the gyms have been closed for a while in the Sydney lockdown…
I got a exercise bike for $90 at kmart and it’s great, a real bargain. I prefer to exercise at home anyway.
I have a bit of a set-up at home thanks to the 2020 lockdowns – I’m loving having the option to do weights at home when my walks aren’t cutting it
I do have a yoga mat but most of my workouts have been walking outside. I do miss weight training but I have no motivation when I’m doing it at home
Didn’t use equipment in many years, but do have yoga mat that I use sometimes.
Swear by kettlebells and jump rope!! I’ve been lazy in recent times but when I do a 20 minute circuits of jump rope and labella I see results and increase in fitness. In saying that I think I’ll use my lockdown time more wisely. Thank you for the motivation:-)
I’d give myself a pat on the back if I can just get back into doing yoga.
I haven’t used any at home equipment at lot of at home programs I’ve tried myself or seen advertised don’t need any if not very little, maybe just a yoga mat. 🙂
I miss going to yoga classes. I know I should do it at home, but I can’t get motivated.
I keep a pair of 4kg dumbells next to my chair to use in the ad breaks when I’m watching TV. I think I bought them at BigW. I’ve also got a 12kg kettlebell (Aldi) in the kitchen to use while I’m waiting for the kettle or microwave.
During iso, I’ve been going on more walks.
Nope…im very slack when it comes to exercise. I just cant find the motivation.
I love getting out on my bike and walking doggy for an hour or two but repetitious exercise for me has gone outta da window! The most repetitious I get is swimming laps in the Olympic pool and that won’t happen until the warmer weather kicks in, in Spring. I’ve really grown out of that sort of thing – hallelujah!
I do a little basic Yoga but I am not very skilled – Love the look of some of this equipment . I have a gym ball but not sure how to use properly
I haven’t bought anything new yet.
I put in the occasional walk when the weather is good and each morning (and sometimes in the evening) I do some yoga/pilates moves to straighten my back and release my tense muscles.
I need the motivation not the gear! I try to go out running but last week I fell over (cause=unco!) and bruised my knees and scraped my elbow and hands.
I’ve got a kettlebell, some dumbbells & various resistance bands. Looking to add more stuff to the collection eventually; just need the motivation now!
Walking to the fridge is my exercise these days 😀
Thats some very good prices. Unfortunately you can’t buy motivation.
I used to have one of those bouncy balls but I think it bounced away somewhere as I dont have it anymore. It was big so it’s pretty hard to notice it if it was still around. I never did any excercises with it though – I just sat and bounced for fun!
Nice to see so many options for working out at home.
I’ve been using canned tomatoes and a wall.
I have had a lot of exercise equipment at home over the years. When I first get it home it’s like a novelty and then it wears off. I do have a gym membership but haven’t been going as often as I would like to. I need to get motivated as summer is fast approaching.
Some good ideas.
Would like very much to do exercises at the moment still getting over being really Sick, still not confident about getting on the floor as I have fallen down a few times. When I do feel confident I will definitely be looking for some affordable exercise equipment.
Walking is how I exercise. I enjoy my daily walk, usually with the dog.
Its good to see this article and the various options. Even if you have no equipment there are lots of exercise that you can do with out them just need a mat.
Great article just wish I could use some of the items but can’t. Have to rely on walking and what I can do without hurting neck/shoulder and knees.
A good motivation to start exercising at home. I do love my skipping rope and use it often. I also have a rebounding trampoline (mini trampoline) that I love to get my cardio on.
Skipping rope, $2 at Kmart.
Some great choices. I find resistance bands are really good for so many things.