When you want to train at home, the choice of bodybuilding equipment is crucial to optimize your sessions and progress quickly. Let's discover together the different equipment available on the market and their advantages to help you select the right home bodybuilding equipment according to your goals and your space.
What are the benefits of home strength training?
First of all, it should be noted that working out at home has several advantages over going to a gym:
- You can train at your own pace and according to your schedule without taking into account the opening or closing times of the gym.
- You always use your own equipment and don't have to wait for equipment to become available.
- Your investment often pays for itself in the long run, compared to the additional costs of gym memberships.
What are the basic materials needed to start bodybuilding at home?
Floor mats: Comfort and versatility
The floor mat or gym mat is an essential accessory for practicing different physical activities in the comfort of your home. It offers several advantages:
- Protection against shocks thanks to its soft surface.
- Insulates from cold and damp ground.
- Makes it easier to perform exercises requiring a lying position.
Depending on your sporting practice, there are mats with different characteristics: Thickness, size, materials, quality... Take the time to compare the models carefully in order to find the one that best meets your needs.
Weight benches: The essential for working the upper body
The weight bench is ideal for those who want to develop their strength and muscle mass at home. Here are some of its strong points:
- Offers a wide variety of upper body exercises (chest, back, shoulders, arms, abs).
- Can be inclined or declined to work muscles from different angles.
- Is often equipped with supports for arranging dumbbells and bars.
Many people combine this device with a squat rack , thus further expanding the exercise possibilities, especially those for the lower body.
Simple Benches vs. Multifunctional Benches
There are two types of benches, depending on their level of versatility:
- Simple benches: They have a flat surface, sometimes tilting, on which various exercises are performed with dumbbells and/or a bar.
- Multi-function benches: They are equipped with several exercise stations (high pulley, leg curl, butterfly, etc.) which allow you to target a large number of muscle groups in a single machine.
Consider space constraints when choosing your bench: multi-function models will generally be larger than simple benches.
Barbells and dumbbells: Deep work and progression
Barbells and dumbbells are the key accessories for home bodybuilding . They offer a wide variety of exercises for the entire body and are suitable for all levels of practice. Thanks to their adjustable weight, you can adapt the load and progress at your own pace.
The different types of bars
There are mainly three types of bars for bodybuilding:
- Straight bar: Used for basic movements (squat, bench press) and which involve several muscle groups.
- EZ Bar: It has a curved shape that facilitates the work of the biceps and triceps by limiting the tension on the wrists.
- Trapeze Bar: Allows you to perform specific back exercises such as deadlifts while relieving stress on the spine.
The bars are often accompanied by a bar rest, a useful accessory for performing certain exercises.
Fixed Dumbbells vs Adjustable Dumbbells
You will also have the choice between two types of dumbbells:
- Fixed dumbbells: They have a predefined weight and are usually sold in sets with different loads.
- Adjustable dumbbells: Their load is adjustable by adding or removing weight discs. This system is more economical and offers considerable space savings.
In any case, prefer models with rubber or neoprene coating to minimize the risk of damage to the floor and reduce impact noise.
Resistance bands: For a different approach
Resistance bands are a great complement to dumbbells and pull-up bars, especially if you're short on space. They allow you to work both your upper and lower body and offer progressive resistance thanks to their tension system. Resistance bands:
- Strengthen stability by engaging the stabilizing muscles.
- Are very easily transportable and inexpensive compared to other equipment.
- Promotes effective warm-up before weight training sessions.
It is advisable to have several resistance levels available to adjust the intensity of your exercises.
Take into account your goals and priorities
When choosing the right fitness equipment for you, it is essential to consider your goals and priorities. If you want to improve your overall fitness and endurance, cardiovascular machines such as treadmills , elliptical trainers or rowing machines can be a good option.
On the other hand, if your goal is to develop and tone your muscles, the emphasis should be on equipment that is suitable for bodybuilding and strengthening. In this case, consider purchasing a complete dumbbell kit as well as a squat cage or a pulley rack to maximize your training safely.
Consider available space and budget
Obviously, buying home gym equipment also involves taking into account the space available in your home. It is essential to dedicate adequate space to each machine or accessory in order to be able to correctly and comfortably perform the different movements during your session.
On the other hand, budget also plays a vital role when buying gym equipment. Remember that you can always start with basic, low-cost equipment and gradually invest in more advanced accessories, such as a complete gym station , to complete your gym.
Home Gym Equipment: In Summary
In short, choosing the right equipment to start bodybuilding at home can seem complex at first, but with the advice mentioned above, you will be able to make an informed decision based on your goals, available space and budget. Take the time to study each option carefully before making your choice and never forget to be consistent to obtain concrete results!
