Home Gym Essentials

As a busy mom, most of my workouts take place at home and are based on the HIIT training principle. There are many days that I just do not have time to drive to the gym and workout. I find that many of my workouts take place before my daughter wakes up or at nap time. In the last 2 years I have become very fond of my living room workouts. Unlike some, I do not have the space in my apartment to dedicate to as a workout area. Everything I have fits right under my T.V. Here is a list of what I suggest: Basic in Home Gym:

Yoga MattA yoga mat is not a must but it is great to have especially when you are covered in sweat and you need to lay on the floor to do sit-ups. When you doing yoga is really helps keep your hands and feet from slipping.

Hand weightsI love my hands weights. Even in the gym I tend to gravitate towards the hand weights. I just like to have the control over what I am lifting. I have 3, 5 & 8 lb weights at my house.

Exercise bandsExercise bands are also necessity. I have a couple different levels which works perfectly when I need extra resistance for back exercise. I can also get creative with exercises.

MP3 player. Music is a must for me. No matter what kind of day I am having, music will get me through. I CAN NOT live with out my shuffle.

Jump RopeA jump rope is great for a quick cardio workout HIIT training and it is portable.

Training shoes Intermediate in Home Gym:

Exercise tubesExercise tubes are great. You can use as an alternative to your bands.

Squishy BallThey squishy ball is one of my favorite. Add this as resistance to your ab exercises for a little inner thigh boost.

Ankle weightsAnkles weights are not a necessity but they are great for at home workouts. I use these as an alternative to my tubes sometimes or even in combination for some thing burning.

Stability Ball I have found that the stability ball is the only real piece of equipment that will really work all directions of my core.

Weighted Gloves Weighted gloves are great to wear during cario kickbox workouts for an additional arm workout. Advanced in Home Gym:

Chin up barThis is actually something on my shopping list. My sister-in-law bought one for her home workouts and I have realized this is the one piece of equipment I really need.

Foam RollerSkip the massage (though I love my massage) and buy a foam roller. If you are a runner this is a must.

Medicine BallA medicine ball is great for functional workouts. I actually end up using my had weights a lot instead of a ball, but there are some exercises that really would be better with a medi ball.

Agility LadderThe agility ladder is just a fun item to have. Whenever I use it I feel like a real athlete.