LEVEL I

RESISTANCE BANDS ($9 – $20 EACH)

Resistance bands are bands with elastic qualities that can be used to build strength and improve stability. They come in a variety of strengths and sizes, and can be easily attached to stationary objects around the house.

Resistance band exercises are incredibly effective at improving strength and stability because they apply constant and controlled tension on muscles. I recommend purchasing one 2–15 lb. band or one 10–35 lb. band for upper body movements and one 10-35 lb. band or one 30-60 lb. band for lower body movements depending on your ability.

LEVEL II

EXERCISE MAT ($7 – $30)

Although the purpose of an exercise mat is self explanatory, it’s a necessary part of building a home gym. A quality and comfortable mat will allow you to perform stretches, foam-rolling work, and other workout activities on a variety of surfaces, including tile and wood flooring, asphalt, or concrete.

You can find a standard exercise mat at most big-box retailers, sporting good stores, or online. If you want to upgrade to a heavier duty mat to create a larger workout space for yourself and protect your floors, I recommend a cardio mat.

KETTLEBELL ($20 – $35)

A kettlebell is a big ol’ piece of cast iron formed into a ball with a handle on it. Kettlebells are great to have because they are beginner-friendly and cost-effective, and can be used in a variety of ways to build strength, stamina, and power.

If you’re new to kettlebells, I recommend going with a 15–20 lb. kettlebell, and adding a 30–40 lb. kettlebell once you become familiar with movements and want to incorporate more challenging lower body exercises.

LEVEL III & IV

JUMP ROPE ($5 – $10)

A jump rope is a fantastic tool for improving conditioning and coordination. Because it can be used for both aerobic and anaerobic training, it’s great for warming up and cooling down, and can be included in circuit training workouts designed to keep your heart rate high. Basic adjustable jump ropes can be found at most sporting goods stores, or online.

DUMMBELLS ($30-$50 FOR TWO)

Dumbbells are weighted objects that can be held in each hand to perform both strength and conditioning movements depending on the weight and how fast the movement is performed.

Dumbbells are incredibly useful because they allow for near-maximal efforts, and work each arm individually to build unilateral strength. Dumbbells can be found at most sporting good stores, or you can purchase this adjustable dumbbell set for more versatility.