12 January 2024 , 15:00
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To be fit and healthy at the start of the year is wonderful, but we want to encourage you to keep fit throughout the year. There are some handy bits of kit to pick up in stores and online to help with ANY fitness journey at home- you just have to know where to look.
In the past, we have worked with some incredible brands which have really encouraged us to keep fit and healthy in the comfort of our own home.
With a busy schedule and trying to fit a workout in around family or work, many of us could benefit from working out at home. It's important to know which type of exercise best suits you just so that you can avoid breaking the bank for some simple, more affordable routines.
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From recognising fitness goals, fitness levels and and available space at home, here have listed our top best fitness products for working out indoors, from treadmills for cardio and dumbbells for weight training- there are plenty of great opportunities for a healthier 2024.
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Our favourite part about exercising at home is not having to commute to the nearest gym. Plus, you'll be saving money from not forking out on a costly membership.
Here are the best home gym equipment buys available now- with a handful of some we have tried ourselves too.
We tried....
'I believe that this product is the future of home workouts'.
MuscleSquad Quick Select Adjustable Dumbbell is the future of home trainingMuscleSquad's 40kg Quick Select Adjustable Dumbbell, £235.29 (down from £275)
Verdict
For somebody who usually spends around three or four times a week in the gym, the adjustable dumbbells are the most versatile solution to me spending more time at home. The 'quick select' dumbbell gives me a little bit more freedom to move my body at home as much as I would at the gym. When usually training at home, that would have consisted of some yoga and light core exercises with limited equipment- so this helps me push myself even further which is great.
As for the price, I feel like it is a great investment bit of kit, especially if you and your partner train at the gym each month, (the monthly installments can really break the bank). We have already dicussed building a little more of a home gym now to save ourselves the monthly outgoings.
I have been slowly building up my stamina with using heavier weights than usual too without the added pressures of feeling watched in the gym- result!
Treadmill on a budget?
Writer Narin Flanders reviewed this simple set up, compact treadmill which could be a lifesaver for those with not so much room.
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Narin's treadmill has helped her really push herself at home and using free time wisely with some extra cardioThe Homcom Electric Treadmill is currently reduced from £351.99 to £329 on Wowcher , bucking the trend of fitness prices increasing in the lead upto the summer months when we are all desperate to get in some kind of better shape.
When it arrived any suspicions I had that it wouldn't be particularly sturdy for that price were quickly eased.
The box it came in warned me it weighed more than 22kg and when I put it together (surprisingly straightforward thanks to the simple instructions) and stood on it, it felt very solid.
The comes with a simple digital console, which gives you simple readings of time and distance run and calories burned, alongside several different pre-programmed workouts, depending on whether you're looking for interval training, high intensity or more gentle exercise.
You can, of course, also just start it up and increase your speed as you go, which is what I did.
For the full review at our sister paper My London here.
'The one, lightweight piece of equipment you need for a full body workout at home'
I use the GymProLuxe more regularly than I initially thought, it's so simple and doesn't take up a lot of space at home (Image: Stacey Dutton)The GymProLuxe, known in the fitness world as the 'portable gym', all wrapped up in one product has been my go to for de-stressing/working out at home.
My workouts have changed dramatically since last year (I can barely fit them in at the moment), so having kit like this really helps me to work all my muscles and move my body super easily in one session while between doing jobs around the house. It's really simple to adjust, with a premium padded exercise belt and 6 belt tubes, you can simply use for bench pressing, seated rows and deadlifts- the variety will really make a difference for those wanting all the kit with not so much time on their hands to spend hours in the gym.
I am planning on using the GymProLuxe to reach a better fitness level again this year and achieve some bigger goals, so watch this space.
See the full review here at our sister paper Manchester Evening News.
What are the best home gym machines?
If you have enough space in your home for hefty fitness equipment, it's a good idea to choose something that will enable you to do something you like, whether that's running, rowing or cycling. Here are our top picks.
- Best treadmill: Nero Sport Pro Bluetooth Treadmill - £219.99, Amazon
- Best exercise bike: Original Peloton Bike - £1,145, John Lewis
- Best rowing machine: V-fit Tornado Air Rower - £299.99, Amazon (down from £440)
- Best vibration plate: Bluefin Fitness Ultra Slim Vibration Plate - £149, Amazon
What are the best small home gym buys?
For those with less space in their home, these smaller pieces of equipment should do the trick. They're both compact and easy to store away when not in use.
Best resistance set: Gymproluxe Band & Bar Set 2.0 - £109.95, Gymproluxe (down from £146)
- Best resistance bands: Gritin Resistance Bands - £8.99, Amazon
- Best dumbbell set: PROIRON Neoprene Dumbbell Set - £47.99, Amazon
- Best pull up bar: Opti Multi Pull Up Bar - £18.75, Argos (down from £25)
- Best medicine ball: Weight Ball Medicine Ball - from £19.99, Amazon
- Best skipping rope: Weighted Skipping Rope - £11.99, Decathlon
- Best punch bag: Lonsdale Fitness Strike Bag - £270, Sports Direct (down from £420)
- Best kettlebell: Mirafit Cast Iron Kettlebell - from £27.99, Amazon
Best weight training set: Dumbbells and Bars Kit- £219.99, Decathlon
Best Activewear January Sales in stores
- Power Leggings and bra or athlete top for 30% off at Sweaty Betty
- Leggings, fleeces, trainers and more reduced at Decathlon with upto 50% off
- Huge 80% off everything at Fabletics
- Up to 60% off MyProtein gym/activewear