When I moved from downtown Portsmouth, NH, to the Bear Brook State Park area of Allenstown, NH, the nearest movie theatre, gyms, and grocery stores were all an excellent thirty-minute drive from my new home. I knew I’d need a home gym because I could not drive in treacherous conditions to a gym. I also know myself well enough to know if my gym is more than half a mile from my home, I’m not going.
In downtown Portsmouth, I was a member of Seacoast Sports Clubs for seven years, where I quickly became a regular at Lynn’s Bodypump and Yoga classes and Matt’s Bodypump classes. I quickly learned the workout classes I enjoyed and the instructors that efficiently motivated me. I also had access to a saltwater pool, cardio machines, a weight room, and two gyms within a mile of my apartment. And I was lucky enough to have plenty of 4 to 7-mile walking loops from my doorstep going around the Atlantic and beautiful, safe scenery.
We cannot walk safely out our door and on the street in the boondocks — there are no sidewalks. So we live where we can either invest in home cardio equipment or drive and park to walk/hike on trails. Or maybe you do both like me.
I’ve compiled a list of my home gym essentials.
Top 10 Home Gym Essentials
1. Cardio Machine
Brand-new cardio machines are costly. However, many people buy home gym equipment and never use it, and then it ends up in their garage or basement used as a clothes rack until they put it up online for sale. Searching for a quality machine and an affordable price will take a while. It took me a few weeks of scouring the internet to find a good deal on a used Precor elliptical with arms and my preferred green digital display, and I had to drive a few hours away to test it and then rent a Uhaul to bring it home. My partner drove the Uhaul back to NH, and I followed in my car. Once we got home, two strong men, my beau, and a friend, carried it in the house and out onto our sun porch.
2. Weights
I started lifting weights in middle school. My first set of dumbbells was a 10lb set my father gifted to me when I was eleven years old, and I used them a few times a week. Even as a young athlete with no gym at school or nearby, I saw the importance of weight training.
Since then, I have acquired what works for me, which is:
Dumb Bells
Kettle Balls
Ankle Weights for Pilates
Les Mills Body Pump set
3. Yoga Mat
Yoga Mats come in handy in more ways than you can imagine, from stretching to crunches to planking to yoga, pilates, and more. So having a yoga mat or two on hand is always good. Just make sure to keep your feline friend away from it. I’ve lost a couple to Carlisle shredding mine with his claws in the past.
4. iPad
I cannot do cardio for the sake of cardio. It is boring. So how do I get through 4–5 miles on the elliptical machine? I use my iPad to watch music videos on YouTube, Hulu, and Netflix while burning those kcals.
5. Foam Roller
I used to think these were just for runners, but they aren’t. Instead, they are great for stretching sore muscles after your elliptical, spin bike, or treadmill workout.
6. The Original Step Universal
The platform is 43 inches long, 16 inches wide, and 4 inches high and comes with universal risers adjusting from 4” to 6” to 8” tall.
These are great for chest and triceps presses, plyo jumps, triceps dips, pushups, and more!
7. Comfy Bra
Having a comfortable bra is essential. I’d rather spend the money on having one bra that fits perfectly rather than a handful of ill-fitting cheap ones. If you are like me and have worn a D cup since college but have small measurements 32–34, you know the challenge of finding a bra in your size. My personal preference is the zip-front sports bra from Victoria’s Secret. It fits so well; I can move and breathe, yet my breasts remain firmly in place.
8. Comfy Sneakers
Comfortable sneakers are also crucial for stepping onto the cardio machines. For example, I wear Adidas Cloud foam sneakers on my elliptical machine. And if you’ve ever seen me at a body pump class at Seacoast Sports Club West End or Downtown location (2012–2019), then you know I prefer to be barefoot or in Converse canvas chuck tees for weight training.
9. Cute Clothes
When you look good, you feel good. So I toss out my three gym outfits every few years and buy three new ones. I like to match my cute outfits with my gym sneakers, and then I’m more motivated to work out.
10. Water Bottle
I may have a small water bottle problem. So on hikes, I’m the friend who brings an extra Ezekial bread, Teddy’s PB+J sandwich, gluten-free pure protein bars, and extra water.
Thanks for reading. These are my top ten home gym essentials. What are yours?
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