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Whether it’s to cut down on costs, travel time, or working out in a crowd of people and with limited machines, doing your workouts at home is appealing if you’ve got the space and the equipment.
If you’ve ever hit a gym in the city in that 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. window, you’ve likely thought about how nice this would be if it could be done at home.
But while I would probably rather sweat myself into a puddle in the comfort of my own basement, I lack the exercise equipment that makes my at-home workout as punishing (and therefore ‘worth it’) as my workouts in the gym. If I’m going to do it, I want it to be challenging.
I think a lot of us feel this way, and we’re not altogether sure which home exercise accessories pack the most bang for their buck. We’re not going to spend the same as our local gym, replicating their machines, because of a) money and b) space, so it pays to know which exercise accessories stretch the furthest for their dollar.
I asked Chris DiVecchio, a personal trainer based out of LA recently seen on Good Morning America, to help me out. Below you’ll find his picks for the five at-home accessories you should buy, plus why he loves them.
Since they might outstrip the average person’s budget, we picked some lower-priced options to compare them to, too.
1. Vyper Foam Roller
Amazon
Foam rolling is one of the most crucial components to any program I design because it increases range of motion and mobility. More mobility means more muscle fiber recruitment, which translates to bigger and stronger muscles. The Vyper is the top dog in this world, with a vibrating device that helps to open the fascia even more.
DiVecchio’s pick: HyperIce Vyper 3-Speed Vibrating Foam Roller, $ 179
Affordable comparison: TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller, $ 34.95
2. PRX Performance Racks
Amazon
When building a home gym, having enough space for equipment is always a problem. These racks solve that problem by taking up only a small amount of wall space and providing versatility for multiple exercises.
DiVecchio’s pick: PRx Performance Profile Rack (as seen on Shark Tank), $ 549 – $ 799
Affordable comparison: Cap Barbell Deluxe Power Rack, $ 205.79
3. Bosu Ball
Amazon
This product is cost effective, doesn’t take up much space, and provides versatility for multiple exercises. I love training clients on the Bosu Ball because it requires them to perform each move with control. Take a push-up and make it more advanced by doing body Bosu push-ups to incorporate balance and stability.