Health & Fitness

At-Home Workout Equipment That Won’t Cost a Fortune

Soup cans are great and all but…

by : Caitlin Kenny- Apr 7th, 2020

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When we first started ~~social~~ physical distancing, it felt kind of fun to scour our cabinets for makeshift exercise equipment that would help keep us moving while staying inside. Soup cans as weights! A pair of nylons as resistance band! But as our collective quarantine goes on, the novelty factor is fading at about the same rate as our self-discipline to actually partake in Instagram Live workouts rather than just tune in from the couch.

“It’s already so hard right now – especially if you’re living in a tiny condo – to separate what’s your home time and what’s your work time and then what’s your workout time,” says Cassie Day, founder of Toronto-based wellness community All Day Fit. “How do you disconnect from everything else and reconnect with your body and stay present in your workout when it’s probably in the middle of your living room?”

That’s why pre-quarantine, Day always recommended that her fitness clients opt for gym workouts rather than at-home. Since self-isolation began, she’s been encouraging them to make do for their virtual sessions with a dedicated exercise zone in their homes (she moved her couch into her kitchen to clear space) complete with basic budget-friendly (yet real-deal) workout equipment. “Yes, soup cans and water bottles are fine, but I don’t think it’s going to give you that motivation long-term,” she says.

Along with the mental boost, using equipment that’s designed for the job can make things a little easier physically, too. Dumbbells and kettle bells are a lot easier to grip than items in your pantry, and a smooth non-slip mat won’t chafe your elbows like your rug does during a plank. To help you figure out what’s actually worth buying – because who wants to spend wildly right now? – we break down the best at-home gear based on your workout.

FOR STRENGTH-TRAINING:

While we typically associate muscle-building moves with pushing and pulling heavy weights, you can easily mimic the effect with resistance bands. “They’re so versatile and come at a very low cost,” says Day. “You can use them for rowing, pressing and hinge motions like dead lifts – with a thin band, you can get a total body workout.” The best part? If you also have dumbbells on hand, you can add resistance bands in tandem to simulate a heavier weight.

If you get just one thing…

Loop this resistance band around a railing or door handle to do push and pull movements either on their own or with a dumbbell in hand to level up. Depending on how much slack you leave when you grip the band (choke up on it for more intensity), you can expect about 20 to 35 pounds of resistance – a great fit for most home workouts.

Energetics Powerband Light, $10, sportchek.ca

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If you have more to spend…

Consider adding a light dumbbell for upper body to your setup for even more exercise options. Day recommends picking something between 12 to 20 pounds – and you don’t necessarily need to buy two. Working on just one side of the body at a time is great way to tackle imbalances and strengthen your core, she says.

Energetics 12 lb Neo Hand Weight, $23, sportchek.ca

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You can also add a heavier dumbbell for lower body to your collection. “Choose a weight that would challenge you in a lunge position at the gym,” says Day. “Anywhere from maybe 20 to 30 pounds, in general.” Any style of dumbbell you can get your hands on will do just fine, but we especially love this one because the grip on the handle makes it a little easier to hang onto when you hit those last few reps.

Cap Barbell Fitness Urethane-Covered Dumbbell, $63 for 30 pounds, amazon.ca

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FOR HIIT WORKOUTS:

Good news: “HIIT is probably the cheapest workout to do at home,” says Day. It’s all about getting your heart rate up in short bursts of time, which technically could be done with no equipment at all (think: jumping jacks, mountain climbers, squat jumps). But a few props can make it all more interesting and, in turn, motivating. We especially love skipping ropes because they make cardio about as fun as possible, as well as our usual workout-class staples like kettlebells and non-slip mats that take us back to our good old in-studio days.

If you get just one thing…

Want to get your heart-pumping for fast? Grab a skipping rope and set a Tabata timer on your phone for eight rounds of 20 seconds on and 10 seconds off. We like that this one has an adjustable length so you can steer clear of your ceiling.

Nike Fundamental Speed Rope, $18, sportinglife.ca

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If you have more to spend…

A kettlebell’s bottom-heavy design and wide handle make it particularly great for explosive movements like swings and thrusts (of course, if you already have a dumbbell, it can do the trick, too). This set of three covers a nice range of weights (5, 10 and 15 pounds), all with flat bases so they won’t tip over and damage your floors.

Gold’s Gym Kettlebell Kit, $34, walmart.ca

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Whether you’re working out in shoes or barefoot, a non-slip mat will make hardwood and tile floors safer as you jump around. Opt for a thin, high-density version, says Day – especially for mountain-climber-style moves, where you’ll want your wrists firmly planted. “Having too much cushion isn’t good for stability,” she says.

AmazonBasics High Density Exercise Mat, $53, amazon.ca

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FOR YOGA:

True to form, yoga is wonderfully fuss-free when it comes to an at-home setup. “Just a mat would be fine,” says Day, who recommends getting one that’s ultra-smooth so that it’s easy to wipe down between sessions. “If you want, you can also add a couple things to help you reach certain positions if you’re not as mobile or flexible.” Common studio props include straps and blocks, both of which can help you get into poses comfortably, says Day. “They can make yoga even more beginner-friendly.”

If you get just one thing…

Of course, a great yoga mat is essential for your at-home practice. You’ll want about three millimetres of thickness or more to get enough softness. We love the polyurethane finish on this one because our hands don’t slide around as much as they do on foam, plus its soothing cloud-like colours are especially welcome right now.

Lululemon The Reversible Mat 3 mm in Daydream, $68, lululemon.com

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If you have more to spend…

Tight hips from all that sitting? “A yoga block can help for things where you can’t get your hips into position,” says Day. It’s also great to give you something to rest your hands on if you can’t reach the floor in a forward fold. Cork options are classic in the category, but lightweight foam does the job for a lower price tag.

Halfmoon 4” Yoga Block, $18, sportinglife.ca

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An adjustable strap is also helpful for getting into hard-to-reach positions (we’re looking at you, dancer’s pose) or deepening your stretch. With over nine feet of length and D-rings for easy tightening or loosening, this one offers tons of range, and it’s made with cotton for a softer feel than polyester—which can make a big difference on those extra-long holds.