New year, healthier you: Amp up your fitness routine from the comfort of home

Have the Yuletide festivities and inevitable New Year’s resolutions gotten you thinking about your fitness — or perhaps, lack thereof? The good news is that your journey to fitspo greatness can start from the comfort of home. You won’t need to worry about membership fees or gym bros hogging the machines. Neither will you have to rush for classes after work. While you can get ripped with calisthenics and bodyweight exercises, some exercise equipment can add variety to your workout and allow you to push your limits.

RESISTANCE BANDS

These work different muscle groups and are suitable for all fitness levels. The fabric bands from TheFitLife Resistance Bands (S$27.68) come in a set of three, with each band offering different resistance levels.

Made of durable, high-quality materials, they are less likely to irritate the skin. Place a band around the thighs, legs, ankles, feet, shoulders and arms to work different muscle groups. Inner latex grip strips help keep the bands in place. 

DUMBBELLS

If you’re ever unsure about how a set of dumbbells can transform your body, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s docudrama Pumping Iron, will set you straight. Different exercises have been designed to target specific muscles. The flexibility of swapping out weights also helps with different goals, like building mass or improving muscle tone.

This Lifepro Adjustable 25-pound Dumbbell Set (S$338.49) features a unique dial system that lets you increase weights in 5-pound (2.25kg) increments from 5 to 25 pounds. Made of steel plates, the pair of dumbbells is durable and sturdy, and the plates lock in place for added safety.

KETTLEBELLS

Kettlebells are a good alternative to dumbbells for building core strength. Their compact design provides a dynamic and full-body workout experience and a diverse range of weight options are suitable for different fitness levels.

The Bullz Soft Kettlebell (8kg) (S$55.67) is ideal for home use. It’s covered in a soft and tough fabric that reduces the risk of damaging your floor and is double-stitched for durability. The covering helps absorb the sound of clanking weights so you don’t disturb the neighbours. Choose from 4kg, 6kg, 8kg, 10kg, 12kg, 14kg or 16kg weights to vary your workout

YOGA MATS

It’s important to protect your knees, feet and back, especially if you’re doing high intensity routines that require kneeling or lying down. Yoga mats can help – look for one that is non-slip for added stability and reduce the risk of injuries. It will even help protect your floor from being scratched.

This stylish Sugarmat Dream Catcher Red Yoga Mat (S$101.00) offers grip and cushioning. Made of natural rubber, the high-density mat cushions against impacts while the anti-slip material offers good grip. Measuring 185cm x 68cm, it offers plenty of space for stretching and is available in 3mm or 5mm thicknesses.

PILATES BALLS

An inflatable pilates ball adds an element of instability to your workouts. This pushes your core muscles to work harder. Use it to elevate the difficulty level of your push-ups or core exercises, or even use it when you’re sitting at your desk to improve balance and stability. This helps engage the lower back, abs and pelvic muscles. The ProBody Pilates Ball Exercise Ball (S$31.38 - S$56.45) includes an air pump. Made from a non-toxic and odour-free material, it is available in 15 colours and five sizes (45cm, 55cm, 65cm, 75cm and 85cm).

SKIPPING ROPE

Remember the fun you had skipping rope when you were a child? This fun, full-body workout helps to boost cardiovascular health and strengthens your shoulders and lower body. The Adidas Weighted Skipping Rope (S$48.90) integrates ball bearings in each swivel for ultra-smooth rotations. The moulded plastic handles are tapered for a more comfortable grip. It is available with 2.5mm and 4.5 mm rope thicknesses and removable 100g cylinders to add more intensity to your workout.

PULL-UP BARS

Pull-ups are the ideal exercise for building your arms, back, and shoulders for a Thor-like upper body. Since pull-up bars don’t take up a lot of space, you don’t have to worry about your significant other complaining about clutter at home. The ProsourceFit Multi-use Doorway Chin-up/Pull-up Bar (S$44.64) is a multi-grip bar offering 12 grip positions. It can withstand up to 136kg and is made of high-grade durable steel. Designed to fit door widths between 61cm and 91.4cm, the bar can be installed without drilling into walls and includes an exercise guide.

SLIDER DISCS

These compact wonders transform common exercises them into intense, full-body workouts. If you thought lunges, mountain climbers, bear crawls and planks were difficult, slider discs elevate these exercises to a new level. This compact pair of BOSU Core Sliders (S$18.54; usual price: S$19.93), are made of smooth plastic on one side and soft foam on the other side so you can easily slide across multiple surfaces – carpets, tiles or hardwood floors. Measuring 17.8cm in diameter, they can be used on the hands and feet.

ANKLE WEIGHTS

These can be used for leg or arm exercises – the additional weight challenges you to maintain overall balance, while engaging core muscles and boosting endurance. They work great with leg lifts, glute bridges, donkey kicks and even basic activities like walking and jogging.

These TokSay Wrist & Ankle Weights (S$33.05) are made with a durable, soft silicone that reduces friction against the skin. The material can also be easily washed and cleaned after a workout. Adjustable elastic straps make it easy to use the weights over ankles and wrists. They are available in 1lbs (454g) pair and 2lbs weights.

FOAM ROLLERS

These are indispensable for post-workout recovery, playing a crucial role in reducing muscle soreness and enhancing flexibility. Use foam rollers to target tight muscles and relieve knots for improved circulation. This RumbleRoller Basic Bumpy Foam Roller (S$37.65) has a ridged exterior. Made from a solid ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) foam core, it can support a weight of up to 136kg. Not sure how you can alleviate muscle soreness? Use the downloadable 20-page instruction guide to get you started.

With simple workout equipment widely available and YouTube videos showing you a variety of ways to use your gear, it’s relatively easy to start exercising at home, at an intensity that suits your fitness level. While equipment can certainly add variety and challenge to your fitness routine, it’s also crucial to remember that a nutritious and balanced diet, sufficient rest and hydration also play a large part towards a healthier you. 

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