Home fitness equipment can get expensive. I’m sure you’ve googled the price of popular cardio-based exercise tools – maybe a peloton – and couldn’t commit to a couple thousand dollars… or those fancy, but pricey, all-in-one weight machines that do just about everything, but you’d have no idea where to start or how to get the most out of them?!
I got you covered – All the exercise plans on my site are built to help you workout at home with minimal equipment, or even with NO equipment at all! MP Workouts are designed around using simple, easy to store or DIY equipment; dumbbells, resistance bands, a box + a mat but each exercise can be modified to be done with, or without workout equipment.
You can slowly build up your inventory as you go along. There’s never any reason to put off reaching your fitness goals until you “have everything you need”. Here are some of my favorite tools and how you can DIY them until you decide to go for the real-deal.
Dumbbells for at home workouts
The Real Deal – These are my favorite dumbbells – they look cute; but they pack a mean punch to my muscles! Any dumbbells you like better are what’s going to be what’s best for you… as long as they weigh what they say they do – you’re good to go.
DIY Solution – Filled milk or water jugs, canned goods, backpacks filled with books, or heck – your kiddos are even a great way to start working out now while you wait for the delivery man to bring dumbbells to your doorstep (or not!)
Resistance Bands
The Real Deal – linking my preferred bands HERE; there’s truly nothing like them. Get fabric ones.. they will never disappoint you.
DIY Solution – I strongly recommend you do NOT use elastics found around your home if they aren’t designed for working out. That could be so dangerous to you or any unfortunate soul near you if it snaps. Instead, do any and all of the resistance band moves with body weight exercises only. You’ll still get a killer workout.
Boxed Based Workouts
The Real Deal – I use a pretty standard wooden box like THIS one on Amazon. It’s nice because it has three different heights depending on how you set it down. It’s also awesome to have around as a quick step stool for hard to reach things. Double whammy, ya know?!
DIY Solution – Any chair, stair, step, coffee table, ice cooler and SO many more things will work just fine. There are soooo many substitutions for this. If you’re handy with woodworking and tools or know someone who is, you can also just make your own. Just make sure it has a strong frame and sturdy, even surfaces (smooth ones, so they don’t catch your fave leggings 🙂 ). If it’s just for balance or stabilization – a table, wall, kitchen table, desk, etc will work just fine.
Yoga and workout mats
The Real Deal – I Love THIS mat. It’s so soft and cushy, plus it always stays right where I put it without sliding around while I work out.
DIY Solution – Mats are mostly just for comfort. You can use a towel or blanket, or your floor will work just fine if you don’t have one! Just make sure there’s something under the towel or blanket to grip to otherwise you could have it slip out from under you.
So here’s the bottom line – you can truly make ANYTHING work! Just please make sure it is safe before you just jump in and start working out on whatever you are using! And if there isn’t a home substitution that works for you – I always show options to cater each movement with body weight resistance. Sign up for MP Workouts here and stop letting excuses hold you back from reaching your goals this year! You got this.