Many people think they need a gym, or a full home gym, to get good results from strength training.
But in reality, most of my clients get stronger, fitter and lose weight using just 1 – 3 pieces of equipment at home.
Investing in the right home workout equipment can make a significant difference in your health and fitness journey. Whatever your budget, current fitness level, and experience, there is something in this blog that can be a brilliant tool for you.
If you’re completely unsure where to start, check out the links to my Instagram page that demonstrate what to do. And please get in touch if you have questions, or check out how I can help you through my Get Strong Women’s Strength Training Programs or Online Weight Loss Coaching – I’d love to help you build strength training into your life.
Whether you’re looking to improve strength, mobility, support your weight loss goals, or all of the above, choosing any one of the tools below can help get you started. So here, based on some of the most effective tools my online coaching clients use, is my guide to the best home workout equipment to consider.
I’ve provided links to good value options on amazon, if you’d like to buy them. Full disclosure, these are affiliate links. They are here so you know what to look for, but feel free to purchase whatever suits you best.
So, let’s get into some of the best home workout tools for 2025.
1. Kettlebells
Kettlebells are a versatile and compact piece of home workout equipment, perfect for a whole body strength workout at home. Their unique shape allows for a variety of exercises, and you can build a very effective routine with only one or two different weight options. They’re also a pretty good price.
Why choose kettlebells?
- Great for full-body workouts.
- Excellent for improving grip strength and power.
- Available in a range of weights to suit all fitness levels.
If you’re just starting out with strength training, a 6kg and a 10kg kettlebell would be good weights to go for.
I recommend the amazon basics range in the link below, or another good option is the cast iron ones from the KEFL website.
Either of these are great as they’re good quality, low cost, and are a good shape. They have a large, fairly thin handle, and are small in the ‘bell’ part compared to other options, which makes it easier to do certain exercises.
For ideas on what to do with kettlebells, check out my Instagram video here –
Kettlebell workout
2. Adjustable Dumbbells
Adjustable dumbbells are a great tool for anyone wanting to build strength without having an entire rack of dumbbells in their house. The ones shown below allow you to lift anything from 1 to 10kg in each hand, which is perfect when you’re just starting out. In addition, they are extremely good value compared to buying the fixed weight versions.
Benefits of adjustable dumbbells:
- Compact and easy to store
- Suitable for a wide range of exercises, from bicep curls to weighted squats
- Cost-effective compared to buying a full set of fixed-weight dumbbells
As you can see from the image, these dumbbells are a little bulky compared to fixed weight versions. And they can be a bit of a faff to change the weights by screwing the plates on and off, although you can get around this by pairing exercises together that you’d lift a similar weight for. Despite these drawbacks, I’d still highly recommend them for the cost and space-saving benefits.
Check out a few ideas for how to use them in my instagram post here –
Adjustable Dumbell Home Workout
3. Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are one of the most affordable and portable pieces of home workout equipment. If you’re wanting something that’s low cost, versatile, and fairly difficult to injure yourself with, these are a great option. As well as strength training, bands can help with your improving your mobility, and activating key muscles (like those in the upper back and glutes) that help reduce back pain and knee pain.
Why resistance bands are a brilliant tool:
- Lightweight and easy to travel with.
- Suitable for all fitness levels.
- Great for targeting smaller muscle groups and improving flexibility.
Some band sets also come with door anchors and handles for even more exercise options. I’ve linked a very simple one below, which costs under £10 and still provides a number of exercise options. Check out my video here for what you can do with it –
Resistance Band Workout
4. Walking Pad
Walking pads are compact, foldable treadmills designed for walking and light jogging. They’re a fantastic option for staying active during the workday or when it’s dark, wet or freezing cold outside. Many of my clients have found these to be a game changer in the last few months of 2024.
What makes walking pads great:
- Compact design that fits under a desk or bed.
- Quiet operation, making them ideal for apartments or shared spaces.
- Helps increase daily step count and improve health from the comfort of your own home.
For many people, it can be pretty tough to hit the golden 8-10k daily step range that makes such a positive impact on health and weight loss goals. But a walking pad can make this so much easier. Below I have linked to one that is very well reviewed, and a pretty good price. However there are a few different options that look good, so it’s worth checking reviews and what’s currently on offer.
5. Foam Rollers
Foam rollers are a great option for recovery and mobility work. In terms of effectiveness for strength and fat loss goals, they rank last on this list, but they can still be incredibly useful. Many of the women I work with a busy working women, mums, or both. They often have to spend quite a bit of their day sitting down, and this can lead to tightness in muscles around the hips, back and shoulders.
Using a foam roller can help release muscle tension, improve circulation, and enhance flexibility, reducing the likelihood of aches, pains and injuries.
Why foam rollers make a good addition to your home workout selection:
- Affordable and easy to store.
- Can help improve mobility and reduce aches and pains.
- It has a unique ability to mobilise your upper back and shoulders, and stretch tight muscles in the chest, which can improve posture and reduce stiffness.
- Suitable for all fitness levels.
The foam roller I’ve linked to below is not the cheapest option, but it is one of the best. In fact, my partner and I bought one of these over 10 years ago, and still regularly use it to this day.
It’s made out of a very durable material that means it doesn’t get dented over time, and it’s neither too knobbly nor too flat. Why is that important? Well, the very knobbly ones can be pretty painful and put your body into a stress response, rather than the relaxation we’re looking for. And the ones that are too soft or flat won’t enable you to get enough pressure on certain areas.
Here is a video showing a few things you can do with a foam roller –
Foam Roller Exercises
How to Get the Best out of Your Home Workout Equipment
If you’re unsure how to incorporate this home workout equipment into your routine, there are a number of posts and videos on my Instagram account that give you some ideas – @hayleyplummerpt.
There are also done-for-you progressive workouts you can follow via my menopause-specific programs here: Get Strong
To take things to the next level, through Online Coaching I can set up a personalised plan for you, tailored to your ability level and fitness goals. You’ll get guidance for every exercise, progressions, and any support you need to ensure you’re making steady progress in a safe and effective way.
Whether you’re just starting out or have been training a while, online coaching can help you get the very best results for strength, fitness, and fat loss. In addition, I’ll help you make the most of your equipment and build a routine that fits seamlessly into your lifestyle.
Here is an example of what an online training plan looks like, which you’ll be able to access easily via an app on your phone:
The Best Home Workout Equipment to Get in 2026 – Final Thoughts
You don’t need a gym membership to stay fit and healthy. By incorporating these top pieces of home workout equipment into your fitness routine, you can enjoy versatile, effective workouts wherever you are.
Whether your goal is building strength, improving mobility, or staying active throughout the day, this equipment will help you stay on track in 2026 and beyond. Furthermore, having the right tools at home can make your fitness journey more convenient and enjoyable.
If you’ve got some equipment at home but aren’t sure how to use it properly, or you keep starting and stopping, that’s exactly what I help with. Check out the link below for more information and to apply for coaching:
Online Coaching with Hayley
