Getting in an effective workout at home doesn’t need a gym-full of equipment – a simple set up is all that’s required, and these gadgets are ideal for getting in shape from the comfort of your lounge
During winter, the last thing many of us want to do when the temperatures outside drop to minus degrees is leave the house. Let alone do so to put ourselves through a gruelling workout in a sweaty gym (even in January #newyearnewme). But one solution to this is completing a workout at home with the aid of gadgets, tools and equipment that is just as good as pumping iron in the weights section.
With the aid of fitness apps that allow us to complete 25 minutes to an hour of intense exercise (my personal fave is FIIT), YouTube videos making tailored workouts more accessible and affordable, and even Instagram pages that help busy workers, mums and more find time to get fit at home, getting fit couldn’t be easier – I mean, we don’t even need to leave the comfort of our living room.
While HIIT may be great for some, without the need for additional resistance, adding in some equipment is a great way to tone up and improve fitness. And we don’t mean building a home gym in the back garden, garage or spare room.
With limited space at home being an issue for many, especially in busy families, the fitness industry is teeming with easy-to-store items that aren’t an eyesore. As one of the Mirror’s keen fitness fanatics, I’ve taken a look at just some home workout products that’ll seriously level up any exercise regime.
BetterMe Pilates Power Kit – was £258, now £222
For the keen Pilates buffs amongst us, BetterMe’s aesthetically pleasing Power Kit is more than just Instagrammable. It’s a portable and easy-to-use failsafe way of toning and building muscle without even leaving the house.
While equipment-free sessions are just as intense in the Pilates studio—I speak from knowledge—adding weights, bands and more into your practice really ups the ante. It comes with seven different items, ranging from a resistance ball, loop bands (short and long), toning ring, dumbbells and a sculpted weighted loop—all of which can be purchased in eight different colours.
What’s more, it comes with Pilates socks – something every Pilates girl needs. Of course, its price tag at £220 on sale is quite steep, which is its only downside. However, shoppers have praised the quality of the items on TrustPilot, with one person noting: “Short bursts of Power Pilates are perfect to fit my busy schedule. I don’t enjoy going to the gym anymore so this is perfect part of my daily routine. My body is stronger and firmer after just 28 days.”
Another raved: “Everything has good quality and the colours are just amazing.” When used in conjunction with a Pilates workout, either from the BetterMe app, in a class or online, this kit can really help fire up the core, sculpt legs, activate balance, stretch, and strengthen muscles for gorgeous definition.
Alongside exercise regimes and workouts, the app also features over 20 guided challenges, each focused on different aspects of well-being to suit individual goals. For example, one challenge can help users master the basics of healthy running, while another supports those wanting to quit alcohol, which can help boost productivity and emotional well-being.
Dripex Walking Pad Treadmill – Was £119.99, now £69.99
For those who don’t get the opportunity to get their steps in daily, due to work or other commitments, getting a walking pad to slot in under a desk is a great solution. With an abundance of options on the market, this Dripex Walking Pad Treadmill from Amazon is currently on sale and measures at 109.5x47x11.7cm, with a weight of 13.3kg. It has the option to increase the incline from flat to 10%, which not only helps boost cardiovascular fitness, but targets different muscle groups from the glutes to the core.
Powered by a remote control once up and running, the walking treadmill features a clear display, too, which makes it easy to track speed, distance, time and calories in real time.
It also claims to have a 2.0HP Quiet Motor, which is always helpful – especially when using the walking pad during meetings. With a 4.8 star rating from shoppers, this model is a clear hit with one person sharing of their experience: “It’s quiet, it’s literally so easy to use. It’s perfect for my needs. The only thing I wish it had was auto incline so you don’t need to change the feet whenever you wish to walk uphill but that’s my only grumble and I knew that when I bought it. I’ve used it loads while watching tv to get my steps in! Can’t wait for terrible weather as I’ll be on it constantly!”
Someone else noted: “We bought this to get a bit fitter and use at home. So far so good it’s easy to use and works well out of the box has different speeds for everyone. Will be using more in the new year after Xmas,” and added how it’s ‘small and fits under sofa’.
GYMPROLUXE Band and Bar set 2.0 + App – was £175, now £99
Our very own Narin Flanders loves this set from GYMPROLUXE and, having tried out a number of at-home options—’a budget treadmill from Wowcher, a Cubii under desk cycle bought for use during work calls, and even a weighted hula hoop‘—she turned to Gymproluxe and its band and bar set.
A compact fitness solution, it offers weights-based workouts without the need for bulky equipment. It comes with a detachable bar, adjustable belt tubes, onto which the bar can be fixed, a padded exercise belt as well as access to the GYMPROLUXE app.
Here’s what she had to say about it: “The fabric exercise band has three resistance bands [each with levels of tension, a 10kg, 15kg and 20kg] on each side attached to handles and can be used with or without a solid metal bar which the bands can be looped over to offer wider movements for things like bench presses or seated rows.
“I started, perhaps optimistically, using the 15kg on its own, but realised quickly that I could do more than that when doing workouts using my legs but soon felt the burn when working on my arms at that weight. I’d used basic resistance bands [before] but in comparison these are next level. I was a complete beginner to how to use them for strength training, so the accompanying app that comes with the Gymproluxe set was a helpful addition.
“I’ve started falling into a rhythm now though, having realised the importance of warming up first, I do a short yoga workout first and then use the Gymproluxe every other workout, alternating between doing an upper or lower body session to complement what I’ve already done.”
As for storage? “I love that it can be stored easily in its carry bag under the bed and that, unlike something like the Peloton where there’s an additional monthly charge, the app is free forever once you’ve bought the set.”
Her only gripe was: “It’d be great if you could pair it with a heart rate monitor to see the impact on your workout as you go. Also some of the workouts can feel a bit stop start because most instructors explain what an exercise is, show you how to do it and then tell you how many sets of reps to do.” Read Narin’s full review here.
TRX Move System – was £149.95, now £127.46
It’s quite surprising how intense a TRX workout can be. With only the use of two straps, which can be attached to any anchor by a carabiner (even a doorway), this athlete tried and tested ‘lightest weight fitness solution’ has been travel-inspired and is described as a ‘full gym experience powered by your bodyweight’ – and as someone who has previously used these in the gym, I can back this claim.
The TRX MOVE Suspension Trainer™ only takes seconds to set up, while the straps are easily adjustable for all builds. Made with padded handles, the TRX straps are a strength, cardio and mobility trainer in one – users can do press-ups, pull-ups, elevated mountain climbers, crunches, planks, rows, pikes, chest press and more.
Keen fitness fans have shared their love of the straps in glowing reviews, one of which said: “First discovered these at the gym and fell in love with the flexibility and diversity of them, so had to buy some for my home, I use them every day, great way to build up strength, great quality and so simple to use.”
Someone else noted: “Perfect for a home/outdoor workout, packs into a compact size for easy storage. Great quality too for entry level.”
The only drawbacks some people experienced were a delay in delivery and the price – one person remarked: “I’m super pleased. I’ve been using the system for 3 weeks religiously alongside ongoing sprint sessions and spinning sessions…I can see a difference in my body already and feeling much stronger. Quality is great, handy bag to keep the straps in along with a great chart showing different exercises. Glad I didn’t buy an imitation system.”
Mirafit Soft Touch Mini Hex Dumbbells – £16.99
For something simple and effective, adding a set of dumbbells to any home workout routine is guaranteed to help users tone up. Comfortable to hold thanks to its soft covering that also works to prevent damage to any floors, the Mirafit Soft Touch Mini Hex Dumbbells on Amazon come in a range of weights, from 0.5kg to 20kg.
To increase the burn during squats, sit-ups, shoulder press and more, these dumbells have received high praise from shoppers, with one person raving: “They are EXCELLENT high quality pair of dumbbells with a soft grip. I also use these for my rotator cuff rehabilitation daily and encourage my elderly mother to use them for internal and external rotation exercises to help with her shoulder issues.”
They added: “My wife has taken a keen interest too and also my teenage boys have started their own workout programme for biceps, triceps, shoulders (front, side and rear lateral raises, shoulder presses), back rows, and legs (squats, lunges, dead lifts).
“As my wife and children got stronger, I ended up buying several additional pairs: 1kg, 2kg, 3kg, 4kg, 5kg, 6kg, 8kg, and 10kg. I think that speaks volumes about the quality of the product. Excellent home dumbbells, a great investment that will last decades to come and I would highly recommend and will be purchasing more sizes.”
It’s important to be aware that, as one person remarked, they have quite ‘thick handles’ due to their weight. One customer noted: “If you have small hands, this may not be the best option. But other than that the dumbbells are good quality.”