(image via Fitbit blog)
I’ve moved around a lot. Whether it was between apartments in NYC (5 apartments in 9 years, that was annoying), across the country NYC to SF, or to another country, SF to Barcelona, there are a few wellness items that always come along with me. If they don’t fit in a suitcase, I buy them when I get to my new destination.
You don’t need a full at-home gym to bring a little fitness into your living room. If you’re living in a studio or a house, these items won’t take up much room and are definitely worth having around.
Foam Roller
I don’t know about you, but foam rollers at the gym sort of gross me out. Really, how often are they cleaned? Anyways, I have one at home for a few reason. Seems cleaner, it holds its firmness better than the ones overused at the gym, but mainly because I tend to skip out on stretching at the gym. By the time I’m done working out I’m ready to get home. Once home, I’m happy to foam roll the time away, usually in front of the TV. Foam rolling is like a mini sports massage you do yourself. Proper foam rolling can reduce soreness, can improve circulation and can increase flexibility and joint range of motion.
Yoga Mat
I’m not typically doing full yoga routines from the comfort of home (I much prefer yoga in the studio), but my mat still gets a lot of use. It’s perfect for stretching or a mini ab workout session when I don’t feel like making it to the gym. I love my Yoga Design Lab mat, if I’m too lazy to roll it up, it looks like a piece of artwork on the floor 🙂
A Set of Dumbbells
And speaking of not making it to the gym, I also have a set of dumbbell on hand. I’d love to have a variety of weights to choose from, but I stick to just one set, ideally 8-10 lbs. You can do a lot with just one set of weights at home. If you need some inspiration, there are tons of little at-home workout routines on Pinterest and Popsugar.
Resistance Bands
And one more key item to make the most of an at-home workout, resistance bands. They take up literally no space and are a must-have. Resistance bands can be used for strength work in place of dumbbells. Here are 33 exercises you can do rom home with a resistance band.
Jump Rope
Since I live in an apartment, I can’t really jump rope at home (trying to keep the peace with my downstairs neighbors, ya know?). But it’s still a great item to have. Ideally if you either live in a house or can hope outside for a bit. Aside from going for a run, it’s the cheapest cardio you’re going to find and it really gets your heart rate up.
I sometimes find it hard to get motivated for an at-home workout. Typically the energy at a gym setting is really what gets me going, however sometimes a little workout or stretch session in my living room is more my speed. Maybe one day I’ll live in a house with a gym (dreams, right?), but in the meantime, my little set of fitness equipment is enough to make a major impact.
