I’ve trained on and off for most of my life.
I’m an avid gym-goer and hockey player now, but it hasn’t been a smooth journey. Over the last 12 years I’ve played multiple sports, dislocated both shoulders several times, and dealt with long-term knee injuries that have taken me in and out of physio more times than I can count. Because of that, consistency has always been the hardest part.
I’ve had plenty of phases where I tried to train at home — usually when injuries, time, or motivation made the gym less realistic. And like most people, I bought a lot of gear that sounded good but never actually got used.
What I’ve learned over time is simple:
home workout gear only sticks if it’s easy to use, joint-friendly, and flexible enough to meet you where you’re at.
These are the pieces of home workout gear that genuinely get used — not because they’re exciting, but because they make training possible even when things aren’t perfect.
Now let’s be realistic, this should be the first thing in your shopping basket. Because if you intend on working out at home, I promise you most of that time will be spent on the floor so you’re going to want to have a comfortable mat for that otherwise you will give up VERY quickly. This might be the most overlooked piece of home workout gear.
A proper exercise or roll mat makes a huge difference for:
- floor-based workouts
- core work
- stretching and mobility
- bodyweight training
When you’ve had knee problems, training directly on the floor just isn’t comfortable. A decent mat removes that barrier and makes it much easier to actually start a session.
It sounds basic, but if the surface feels uncomfortable, workouts get skipped. This is one of those items that quietly enables everything else.
Yoga blocks aren’t just for yoga. These are useful in countless ways, there are all sorts of exercise that require that little bit of raised tension that a yoga block can easily provide.. (they’re also dirt cheap)..
I use them for:
- mobility work
- stretching tight hips and shoulders
- modifying exercises when range of motion is limited
- supporting joints during rehab-style movements
After shoulder dislocations and knee issues, having ways to scale movements matters. Yoga blocks make exercises more accessible without making them feel pointless.
They’re small, cheap, and surprisingly versatile — which is exactly why they don’t end up forgotten.
Light dumbbells are one of the easiest ways to add resistance at home without committing to heavy or bulky equipment. If you want to see progress in your form, there’s no better way than to implement weights into your training, and starting out light is always a good idea.
I’ve found them useful for:
- shoulder-friendly strength work
- rehab-style exercises (looking at you rotator cuffs…)
- accessory movements
- lower-impact sessions on recovery days
When you’re rebuilding fitness or coming back from injury, light dumbbells let you train without pushing too far. Because they’re simple and quick to grab, they’re far more likely to be used than heavier setups.
If there’s one piece of home workout gear I’d recommend to almost anyone, it’s resistance bands.
After shoulder injuries, bands became essential for:
- proper warm-ups
- activation work (looking at you again rotator cuffs..)
- controlled strength training
- days when joints need something gentler
They take up no space, work for full-body training, and make it easier to stay consistent even when motivation is low. I’ve used them during gym breaks, rehab phases, and busy weeks where a full workout wasn’t realistic.
They’re simple — and that’s why they work.
When bodyweight exercises start to feel too easy, an adjustable weight vest is one of the most straightforward ways to increase difficulty. It’s such a good way to progress in exercises that are body weight based, I use them for push ups and chin ups all the time (and they don’t look lame which is a massive bonus).
I’ve used weight vests for:
- walking
- squats
- step-ups
- push-ups
Because the weight is evenly distributed, it feels controlled and stable — which matters if you’ve had knee or shoulder issues in the past. It allows you to progress without changing movements or adding complexity.
It’s a practical upgrade that still keeps workouts simple.
Okay okay I get they’re not massively essential, but trust me.. if you can start using these babies on your push-ups you’re gonna see some seriously fast progress. Push-up bars are a small change that make a big difference.
For anyone with wrist or shoulder issues, they:
- reduce wrist strain
- allow a more natural shoulder position
- make upper-body work feel more comfortable
Push-ups are a great home exercise, but discomfort can quickly kill motivation. Push-up bars remove that friction, which makes them far more likely to be used regularly.
They’re small, easy to store, and do exactly what they need to do.
Why This Gear Actually Gets Used
These are all things I’ve compiled over the years and now use them routinely, especially on the days I can’t get to the gym. A 30 minute work out session with this equipment helps me stay consistent on those days I don’t have it in me to trek to the gym. After years of inconsistency, injuries, and trying to “start again,” I’ve realised that the best home workout gear shares a few things in common:
- it’s simple
- it’s joint-friendly
- it’s quick to set up
- it doesn’t take up much space
- it adapts as your fitness changes
You don’t need a full home gym. A handful of well-chosen tools that make training easier to start — and easier to stick with — will always beat equipment that looks impressive but never gets used.
This is the home workout gear that earned its place, because it actually gets used.
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