From skipping ropes to kettlebells, six leading personal trainers have shared their top picks for home fitness equipment suitable for all ages and abilities. According to Dalton Wong, who trains elite athletes and award-winning actors, the key is to buy equipment that fits your lifestyle. He advises focusing on strength, flexibility, and mobility at home, while doing most cardiovascular training outdoors.
Ty Paul, who works with Olympic athletes and Premier League footballers, recommends versatile equipment that can serve multiple fitness goals and generations. Wong suggests three essentials: a form of resistance (weights, resistance bands, or gliders), something restorative (a yoga mat), and something regenerative (a tennis ball, foam roller, or massage gun).
A weighted vest can be worn throughout the day to burn extra calories, says Wong. For low-intensity cardio, a lighter vest adds demand during activities like cycling or walking. Combined with dumbbells, it increases resistance for squats, lunges, and push-ups.
A tennis ball is a versatile tool for releasing tension, according to Wong. Rolling it under the foot can help with plantar fasciitis, while sitting on it can release glute knots. Placing it against the wall behind the shoulder blade helps release muscles between the shoulder blades.
Michelle Griffith Robinson, a former Olympic triple-jumper and trainer for perimenopausal and menopausal women, stresses the importance of correct form when following online videos. She recommends starting with bodyweight exercises like wall press-ups, squats, and step-ups before adding weights. For core strength, she suggests using a skipping rope held taut in a squat position or performing planks.
Skipping ropes are portable and can significantly improve fitness in just ten minutes a day. They also help control the pelvic floor and serve as a good alternative to running in bad weather. Weight training, Griffith Robinson notes, prevents osteoporosis and aids daily activities.
