The Top Ten Gym Equipment - You Will Never Need Anything Else Part 1

We're living in a world where every niche comes with a huge array of gear and equipment. Fitness training is no different - the number of devices out there which are designed to make you fitter, stronger or slimmer are mind-blowing.

And yet the amount of equipment you need to set up a home gym is incredibly small. Used properly you will have an amazing workout with little money spent. Even before I go through my list there are two props which provide the basis that workout:

1 Floorspace - yep - the single most important prop required. I could go as far as saying that the most important reason I am a member of a commercial gym is because I need some floor space to train on (and a shower afterwards) when I'm at work and going say at lunch time.

2 A wall - very useful extra which I'm sure you can find. Actually a wall with no clutter around. Really vital for practising handstands so if you fall there is not an injury.

Beyond that - what else?  Well i set up a gym in my garage with a matted area. The Top Ten focus on the only gear I really NEED.

And so - the only equipment in my opinion you will ever need in order of priority:

#1 Pull Up Bar


This is without doubt absolutely vital for a really good all round exercise - with it you have a world of practising pull ups (palms facing away - more emphasis on back muscles)) chin ups (palms facing towards you - more emphasis on biceps) and hanging leg raises.

It also allows you to attach other pieces of equipment eg suspension trainer

I really like the Power Bar (see picture below) which folds away quite neatly and is probably therefore the least invasive of all the pull-up bar variants.





If your budget will stretch further, then you could consider a pull up tower. I have one in my garage which allows me to use it not just for above, but back and arm rest allow you to work your abs longer for hanging raises and also has dip bars.



With this baby you have an entire gym - forget all that multi-gym nonsense. This knocks spots off that. But whilst it makes life easier a more basic pull up bar will do the job. You may however consider really improvising and using instead:

loft hatch (with gloves!)

childrens swing (possibly at the park if you're early or not too self conscious)

exposed rafters in garage  - use towels etc to soften the digging into your hands factor (or place a sturdy bar across them which will be more comfortable on your grip)

Tomorrow we go to a complimentary piece of apparatus.

Happy training

Andy at Fitter Future