If your idea of fitness is going to the gym and not “fitness pizza in my mouth,” then keep reading because this list is for you. Does working out ever become fun or is it something you eventually just get used to and don’t think about? The mere idea of a 60-minute workout gives me hives. I know, mentally, that I can do anything for 60 minutes. Right? That’s barely one Netflix episode and I manage that just fine.
But, alas, you aren’t here to listen to me talk about how I don’t love working out. Because look at you! You’re a gym rockstar! You never miss a day, even Monday, and you probably have the cutest outfits and gym bag. This, my sweat-loving friend, is the list for you. There are the usual jump ropes and resistance bands but cooler things, too, like the Plankpad and a kettlebell handle that’ll save you money. Intrigued? Grab a Gatorade and check these out!
Jump For Joy
Some people never get the hang of roller skating or swimming; for me, it’s jumping rope. (Stop laughing.) This jump rope is billed as “blazing fast” and I don’t know if that refers to the rope or the jumper. Like all steel cable jump ropes, this rope should only be used on a smooth gym surface, according to the manufacturer. Not me, obviously, as a non-rope-jumper-person.
Strike Up The Band
Did you know you could “floss” your muscles? Yeah, me neither. But, apparently, you can with something like these recovery bands. Once wrapped, they help break up intramuscular “junk” for greater mobility and blood supply. Once released, blood rushes through the muscle, providing growth and healing. This purchase includes two bands of varying compression levels and a carrying case you can take anywhere.
Get A Grip
There’s no denying that weight lifting and cross-training have fabulous health benefits but the blisters, callouses, rips, and tears on your hands can slow down your progress. These hand grips keep your hands protected whether you’re doing pull-ups, kettlebell swings, deadlifts, or gymnastics. They’re the perfect solution for any bar workouts, with reviewers raving about how they’ve saved their hands.
Get Laser Focus And Boosted Energy With This Lightening Coffee
This lightening coffee is perfect for anyone who needs help staying focused and productive throughout the day. Its dark roast is expertly infused with a powerful nootropic, double caffeine from green coffee beans, and essential vitamins to sharpen your body and mind. I drink it as a pre-workout and when I need to study for a big test. I especially love that I can help save the earth with these 100% recyclable and BPA-free coffee pods. Everyone wins!
Under Wraps
We’re moving on from the hands but just a little bit … to the wrists and these wrist wraps that offer more protection for everything from gym workouts to bowling to yoga. If you need additional wrist support for any activity, this is your solution. One reviewer said, “I use these for weightlifting and during rugby practice … These are a good alternative to taping. It’s quick and durable. In the gym, I use them for power cleans, bench, front squats, etc.”
Tape It Off
Speaking of tape (you know, from that reviewer with the last product?), this weightlifting hook grip tape is a valid choice for CrossFit and powerlifting to help maintain grip, improve lift performance and prevent blisters and tears in the skin. This tape is flexible, meaning it will move with you, and is designed for easy tear-off once your workout routine is complete.
Band Together
I had no idea there were so many different types of workout bands on the market. Phew, boy. This pull-up assistance band is designed for assisting with pull-ups (obviously), chin-ups, stretching, mobility work, and more. Each band color available on Amazon represents a different level of resistance. Pair a light band with a heavier one to boost your strength ever faster.
A Notch In Your Belt
If you’ve been putting off weight training because you’re afraid of overdoing it, this nylon weight belt offers just the right amount of support to get you going. Protect your abdomen and lower back during reps and even tighten and loosen it with a quick tug of the “shark-tooth” velcro strap. Don’t have a trainer or don’t know what you’re doing? No sweat; this belt forces you to lift more with your legs than your back, which is exactly what you want.
Shake Your Booty
Is there anyone alive today who doesn’t want a better butt? If there is, I’d like to meet them … or maybe I wouldn’t. These exercise bands are designed specifically for the legs and butt with a free four-week “booty workout program” included. Buy individual bands or a set, which includes three different resistance levels and recommended exercises such as donkey kicks with the large band.
Have A Seat
While we’re talking about the booty, there’s no pain quite like the pain your booty experiences after a bike ride on an uncomfortable seat. This padded gel bicycle seat cover works on all types of real bikes and even the stationary kind like your Peloton or spin bike. This material is designed to withstand all kinds of elements and is useful for all types of riders.
Rock ‘N’ Roll
I’m always intrigued when someone reviews and product and says, “This item has most likely saved my life!” And, that’s exactly what I read on this ProStretch device, a calf stretcher and foot rocker that helps with plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and other foot and calf conditions. Several reviewers said they used a similar device in physical therapy so snag this and save yourself some dough.
Let Things Slide
If you could “slide” your way to a better physique, would you? These sliders work on all surfaces thanks to their double-sided design and are lightweight enough to take with you when you travel. Enjoy a wide variety of exercises to tone or strengthen your core and, if you aren’t sure what to do, the how-to videos provided with purchase will help. These seem simple but are a great accompaniment to a low-impact workout.
Tighten Your Belt
A running belt is, without a doubt, one of the greatest inventions for exercisers that I’ve ever seen. Why? Because it keeps your hands free while giving you a place to stash your keys, phone, headphones, cash, debit card, ID, and more. Think of it as a running fanny pack! This one also has a reflective stripe on it to make you more visible in dim hours.
Hoop, There It Is
I’m a child of the 1980s, which means I’m no stranger to the hula hoop. But, this is not the hula hoop of my childhood with its LED lights and usefulness as an exercise accessory. Since it lights up, the thought is that you’ll be working out in the dark … or at least attending evening events where you can get your glow on. Little known fact: Just 10 minutes of hula hooping can burn 100 calories.
A Bit Of A Stretch
Sometimes exercise isn’t about burning calories but improving your flexibility. This stretching strap has multiple loops so you can get a grip exactly where you want/need it, whether you’re doing yoga, Pilates, or simple stretching exercises. Hold poses you couldn’t hold before or stretch longer or deeper than you’ve previously gone. This strap has no stretch by design and can be easily washed in your home machine.
Chip Off The Old Block
When I first started practicing yoga, I started with foam blocks and I still love them because they’re softer on the body. Don’t get me wrong: Cork blocks have their place, too. This one is moisture-resistant with beveled edges for added comfort. It’s also made from EVA foam, which is recyclable and 100 percent non-toxic. Grab it in purple or teal.
The Bee’s Knees
Are you picturing tiny bees wearing these compression sleeves on their knees? Because you should. These neoprene knee sleeves are meant for weightlifters and are reversible with the perfect blend of elasticity, strength, and comfort. The construction was designed for maximum breathability as well. Reviewers love these for their tightness with no discomfort or restrictions. Even better? They’re less than $30.
Big Wheels
I never thought I’d be interested in something called a yoga wheel, despite practicing yoga for the past several years. But, back pain will make you rethink everything you know to be true. This yoga wheel set includes a 13-inch wheel for deeper poses and backends; a 10-inch wheel for stretching; and a six-inch wheel for deep tissue pressure. You’ll get them all with your purchase.
A Balancing Act
Most fitness buffs, even those who are more moderate in their enthusiasm, understand the significance of a yoga ball. But, what about half a ball? This version is used for everything from improved balance to better core workouts. Each ball with a non-slip base comes with a downloadable workout guide, a pump for easy inflation, and clip-on resistance bands for muscle strengthening.
Belle Of The Ball
This mini Pilates ball measures just about nine inches across and is useful for stretching before a HIIT workout, building core strength, and enhancing your flexibility. Both anti-burst and anti-slip, you can use this ball with confidence that it will stay precisely where you put it.
Meet Kettle
Repeat after me: I don’t need a kettlebell. I don’t need a kettlebell. You don’t need a kettlebell, not if you have this kettlebell handle and existing weight plates. Simply use the handle to slide your own plates on, with a weight limit of up to 900 pounds. (Please don’t start with 900 pounds.) The included screw-in clamp fastens tightly to even the heaviest plates for a safe and secure hold.
Sitting The Bench
Amp up your home gym with this adjustable utility bench built to help you achieve a full-body workout. With a durable, powder-coated steel frame and six-position seat and back pad, you can adjust to multiple positions with stability and durability. Soft foam roller pads help cushion the legs, and the compact design means you can add it to an extra bedroom, man cave, or garage without taking up a ton of space.
Push It Real Good
Even a push-up board couldn’t compel me to try them, but hey, this may be exactly what you’re looking for. Designed to optimize your push-up technique, this board is the largest and widest on the market with more than 30 combination positions for a full-body workout in just 30 minutes. The color-coded board helps ensure you’re targeting specific muscles and promotes proper form.
Tower Of Strength
How on earth could I not include a product called a “power tower?” Who doesn’t want power? I mean, c’mon. This workout equipment offers myriad functions to help you do exercises from pull-ups and chin-ups to knee raises and dips, training your arms, back, chest, shoulders, and legs in one fell swoop. This unit is made from heavy-duty steel construction with foam grips, armrests, and antiskid screws.
Sock It To Me
My first thought upon seeing this picture was, “Why are there three feet? I don’t have three feet.” I suppose it’s so you can see the six compression rings in their entirety and the six-layered loops on the soles that help with shock absorption and protection during exercise. Compression socks help disperse pressure in the foot and calf, improving circulation and speeding recovery. And hey, you’re only going to get two socks, O.K.?
A Roll Of The Dice
I have to imagine that working out can get pretty boring if you’re doing the same thing over and over again. These exercise dice feature 36 unique workouts you can do without any expensive equipments, keeping things fresh for each workout session. The orange dice offer workout ideas while the green one suggests positions to add to your stretching routine.
Water You Doing With These?
Because of some health issues, a physical therapist recommended water workouts for me and these water weights (or as they call them, “aquatic dumbbells”) add some extra oomph to a workout routine to maximize results. Designed with a soft padded grip, these weights are perfect for toning and strength training without the extra heavy stress of traditional weights. Professional-grade foam will keep these in use for many seasons.
It’s All In The Wrist
Equipped with a variable resistance system and an adjustable grip, this product allows you to get precise targeting of the muscles in your arm leading to improved strength and grip. Check out this review: “My husband cut his forearm in 2011, which resulted in him losing some feeling in two fingers and a constant feeling of numbness and discomfort in his arm. … Since he’s been using this product, he said he has experienced less discomfort and it really challenges/pushes him to use his arm more.”
Ankle Biter
When I first took a look at this product, I thought they were ankle weights. Instead, I discovered that they’re ankle straps for cable machine attachments, designed to help you tone and tighten your lower body muscles. Kickback ankle straps don’t seem like much but they help target your calves, glutes, and lower body to tone, strengthen and tighten. The result? A leaner, stronger body … that started with your ankles. How crazy is that?
Sweat Equity
I hate sweat. I hate it when I’m outside or at the beach or even inside for no apparent reason. But, apparently, some of you actually encourage your bodies to sweat more by wearing one of these waist trainers. Also dubbed a “sweat belt,” this belt has a cult-like following with nearly 200,000 Amazon reviews. According to one reviewer, “I’ve been using it for a month, with diet and exercise, and you can see in the photo that it is helping cut my waist.”
Set The Tone
This UB Toner looks like my kind of exercise equipment, based on the photo of the woman above sitting on the couch and not sweating — at all. This toner comes with its own complete exercise program designed to work your upper arm muscles as well as the muscle groups around your breasts. It will also help improve your posture by strengthening your back muscles.
Breathe In, Breathe Out
Anyone else getting Hannibal Lecter vibes from this one? No? Just me. Alrighty then. Apparently, masks are good for things besides protecting you from germs. You can actually use this training mask to simulate high altitudes, forcing you to take full and deeper breaths, which toughen your diaphragm and respiratory system. This has 16 breathing levels at your disposal so you can change airflow intensity on the fly.
Let’s Go To The Bar
If I told you a bar could improve your workouts, what would you say? I don’t mean a “make it a double” kind of bar; rather, I mean this workout bar that fits all types of resistance bands. Complete with heavy-duty steel construction, the included carabiner clips attach easily to all bands, intensifying your training by expanding your workout options. The ergonomic design includes a ball-bearing swivel that prevents the bands from tangling.
Ready To Roll
Don’t let anyone tell you that massage can’t be a part of a solid workout routine because this vibrating foam roller is life-changing after an intense session. Equipped with a smartphone app for convenience, this roller was professionally designed for athletes and fitness enthusiasts to relieve soreness and relax muscles. It has a convenient rechargeable design, too, and has 10-minute auto-off protection to safeguard your device.
Keep In Step
This mini-stepper is perhaps the most portable piece of exercise equipment I’ve ever seen (that mimics a gym machine, that is). This stepper features built-in resistance bands for a low-impact workout that targets more than 20 core muscles. The LCD monitor measures steps, time total, and calories. It also has wide non-slip pedals and height adjustment for your perfect fit.
Get Back On Track
In marketing, they tell us, “If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it,” which basically means you need to be able to track metrics to see what’s going wrong and what’s going right. Exercise is much the same. This low-cost fitness tracker does everything its more expensive counterparts do — from text notifications to sleep tracking — at a fraction of the cost (like, less than $20). Choose from seven different colors to suit your mood.
To The Core
Part of the reason that dance classes and Zumba have become so popular is because it’s a workout that doesn’t feel like one. You can get the same experience here with these core twisters, workout boards that move with you and give you a comprehensive full-body workout. Twist your way to a stronger core or weight loss with these lightweight tools that feature non-slip surfaces and protectors for maintaining balance.
New To The Game
Working out certainly doesn’t have to be boring and I’ve discovered I’m more likely to stick with something if I can either make it fun or take my mind off the hard part. And, that’s exactly what this Plankpad does, giving you a core workout while you play games on an iOS or Android device. In combination with the synchronized app, the balance board combines the workout with games for a total win-win.