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The best gym equipment to make exercising at home even easier in 2023

Plus, how to use workout weights & tools effectively

gym equipment
Leanne Bayley
Director of Lifestyle & Commerce
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Let's face it. Opportunities to exercise and stay fit have been admittedly harder than ever with Christmas celebrations, but as we get closer to a brand new year, perhaps it's time to invest in your own gym equipment for your home. From weighted hula hoops to yoga mats and resistance bands – these items can really help take your workout up a notch.

Here, we've rounded up the very best gym equipment to invest in now and use forever, because sometimes heading out to the gym isn't always so appealing... 

DISCOVER: Kickstart your fitness goals with a 30-day FREE subscription to the UK's leading fitness app

Ankle and wrist weights

bala bangles

Bala Bangles, £50, Urban Outfitters

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These stylish one-pound bangles can be used as wrist or ankle weights and will provide a comfortable resistance for your workouts. Due to the weight of the bangles, you can achieve a full range of motion while burning fat and building muscles, which makes them perfect for amping up yoga, pilates, and other at-home workouts. 

RELATED: The best dumbbells for women 

Resistance Bands

black and white resistance bands

Peach Bands Resistance Bands Set, £11.99, Amazon

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If you’re working on toning your legs and glutes, having a set of resistance bands on hand is key. This set comes with two types - light and heavy, so that you can gradually build your resistance, or go light or heavy depending on the workout. 

MORE: The best resistance bands to transform your body

Peloton Guide

peloton guide

Peloton Guide, £275, Amazon

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The Peloton Guide is an amazing at-home device. The Movement Tracker encourages members to stick with the movement for the entire time, and Body Activity helps you recognise which muscle groups you’ve already worked that week while recommending classes for a well-rounded total body routine to make sure there’s no more skipping leg day.

With Guide’s Self Mode, you’ll be able to see yourself next to the Instructor and check your form as you go through class. And you’ll also be able to use the Movement Details to look up movements you want more practice with before class.

Abdominal roller

fitness ab roller

Abdominal exercise roller, £9.99 (WAS £13.99), Amazon

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This handy tool is a great at-home exercise buy - but be sure to use the included mat so you don’t roll too fast and cause injury.

To use, get onto all fours, grab the ab roller with both hands, lift your feet and slowly roll forward and back, keeping your core tight at all times. It’ll take some practice, but you’ll get there.

Rope

fitness rope

Power rope, £33.99, Amazon

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If you’re got a spacious garden, this power rope could be a saviour. Attach it to a tree, or something stationary, and try to lift the whole rope using your body weight.

Powerspin 

fitness spin

Powerball powerspin, £24.99 (WAS £27.99), Amazon

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This clever device is designed to increase strength in your arms. It works by using isometric resistance - all you need to do is move your arm, and the faster you go, the harder it works. It can also help with injuries, although it’s best to consult your doctor if possible before using it for physiotherapy.

Stationary exercise bike

peloton bike

Peloton +Bike, £1,230 (WAS £1,345), Amazon

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Due to the cold winter months, everyone is rushing to buy a Peloton +Bike to train indoors. The latest bike offers a rounded workout by allowing members to combine strength and cardio in one session. The new bike bootcamp classes will incorporate a bike workout as well as a floor weighted session. Classes are streamed live every day but you can also take pre-recorded classes. In addition to the bike classes. What's more, you can get the feeling of being out on the open road. Shoppers love the sturdiness and ease of assembly. 

Kettlebells

weights

Kettlebell weight set, £29.99, Amazon

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For some simple at-home exercises, you won’t go wrong with kettlebells. We recommend opting for a selection of weights, so you can move up as you improve, or share them with others in your house.

Yoga mat

lululemon mat

Lululemon The Mat, from £79, Lululemon

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Starting the day with a yoga class is guaranteed to set you up well, and all you need is a mat and an internet connection to access the many great tutorial videos online. We love this oh-so-pretty Lululemon mat, which features a natural rubber base with a little extra cushion to give your body more depth while your mind goes deep. 

Training bands

fitness band

Elastic training bands, £7.49, Amazon

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For use with gentle stretching to weight training and cross training, these bands are a handy little tool, and lightweight enough to take to the gym when you can visit again.

Weighted hula hoop

pink weighted hula hoop

Weighted hula hoop, £29.89 (WAS £49.99), Amazon

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If you loved hula hooping as a child, this weighted version is a great way to tone your waist and hips at home - just make sure you give yourself plenty of space!

RELATED: These are the waist trainers Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner use

Foam roller

fitness roller

Sports foam roller, £9.99 (WAS £12.99), Amazon

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Anyone who has used a foam roller before will know that they can help alleviate muscle aches - but you’ll need to go through a little pain to get there! Use this after an intense workout by rolling along your back, sides, thighs, calves - or anywhere else that feels tight. It’s designed to increase circulation and help you recover better.

Apple Fitness+ 

Some times it's not what you have but how you use them. Kick start the new year with Apple Fitness+, a multidimensional workout experience built around Apple Watch, uniquely incorporating Apple Watch metrics into studio-style workouts to offer a first-of-its-kind personalised experience. Each week, the team of Fitness+ trainers will deliver fresh workouts from the studio across a range of lengths, disciplines, and music genres so there are always new workouts to explore. Choose from Cycling, Treadmill, Rowing, HIIT, Strength, Yoga, Dance, Core, and Mindful Cooldown. The service is available in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the US. It is £9.99 a month or £79.99 annually.

DOWNLOAD APPLE FITNESS+ NOW

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