Do you want to work out at home without setting up a full gym? A few well-chosen accessories allow you to create varied workouts in the living room, basement or garage.
Resistance bands, dumbbells, kettlebells, jump rope: where to start? Here's how to choose your equipment based on your goals, space and budget.
Resistance bands: an essential and easy-to-store item
Resistance bands take up little space and allow you to add resistance to several exercises. They can be used for warm-ups, muscle work, or to assist certain movements, such as pull-ups.
The format makes a difference: short looped bands and long bands don't offer the same possibilities. Choose them according to the exercises you want to do and the desired resistance level.
A good choice for: complementing your sessions with a compact accessory that you can also carry.
Dumbbells: a versatile base
A pair of dumbbells allows you to work your legs, back, shoulders, arms, and chest. Squats, lunges, presses, and pull-ups can all be incorporated into your home workouts.
Choose a weight that you can control for the intended movements. The weight suitable for a shoulder exercise will often be different from that used for legs.
To begin with, it is best to select payloads for your program, and then gradually complete your set.
A good choice for: incorporating weight training at home with equipment that offers many possibilities.
The kettlebell: to vary the movements
The kettlebell is suitable for both strength training and conditioning circuits. It can be used for squats, deadlifts, and weighted movements.
Some more technical movements, such as the swing, require proper training. Therefore, the choice of weight should take into account your experience and the exercises you intend to perform.
A good choice for: adding variety with individual equipment that is easy to store.
Jump rope: cardio in a small format;
Easy to carry, the jump rope can be incorporated into a warm-up or interval training session.
Before you begin, check the ceiling height, the space around you, and the surface area you're using. Also, adjust the rope length to your height. If you're a beginner, start with short sets to get used to the movement.
A good choice for: adding a compact cardio option when your space and condition allow for jumping.
The AbMat: for certain abdominal exercises
The AbMat provides support under the lumbar region during certain abdominal floor exercises. Compact, it stores easily with other accessories.
It complements a selection of equipment for ground work, depending on your comfort and your program.
A good choice for: complementing your fitness space with a targeted accessory.
What accessories should I choose for the gym or CrossFit?
If you already train at a center, your needs will be different. You might mainly be looking for personal accessories to put in your bag:
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Hand guards , depending on the movements performed at the bar.
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Wrist bands , for exercises where you need support.
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A jump rope adjusted to your height , to help you find your bearings at each session.
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A sports belt , for certain weight training efforts, depending on your practice.
Choose each accessory for a specific use. Size, fit, and comfort matter as much as style.
How to get started without spending too much?
Start with your workouts rather than a long shopping list.
For muscle strengthening, resistance bands and a pair of dumbbells can be a starting point. For varied circuits, a kettlebell and a jump rope can be useful if they are suitable for the intended movements.
Before ordering, ask yourself three questions:
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What exercises will I do with this accessory?
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Does the resistance, load capacity, or size meet my needs?
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Do I have enough space to use it comfortably?
The best accessories are those you use regularly. You can then add to your equipment as your habits and goals evolve.
Find your workout accessories at MURPH Fitness
Whether you're starting to get moving at home or want to complete your gym bag, MURPH Fitness offers accessories for different ways to train.
Browse our resistance bands, dumbbells, kettlebells, jump ropes and weight training accessories to find the essentials that suit your workouts.
Have a question about a load, size or model? Contact our team to help you choose.
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