Dumbbells

Dumbbells are a staple of at-home workouts. Easy to use, compact and relatively inexpensive, they are a great way to start building strength for the first time or continue your fitness regime from home.

Metis on Amazon offers reasonably priced weights. We recommend starting with 1KG or 2KG for at-home workouts. 

A great way to get started with Dumbbells for the first time would be to use them in conjunction with online resources, such as Davina McCall’s fantastic online fitness platform Own Your Goals which is currently offering 30 days of free fitness for everyone. This platform is great for complete beginners and those gym bunny’s looking for an alternative during isolation. You begin by filling out a quiz about your fitness levels and are then recommended a plan, usually 10-12 weeks long with three workouts a week. The workouts are very diverse with a mixture of strength training and cardio and are really fun and positive.

Resistance bands

So small and yet so effective at giving your workout a boost! Resistance bands make simple movements considerably more effective when strength training and can up-level your pilates without too much effort or expense.

Resistance bands come in a variety of forms, from long bands to circular bands to be used around the legs and arms. Bands usually come in a multipack with a variety of resistance levels so that as you build strength you can up the resistance and the difficulty level of your training. These ones from Home Hut on Amazon are £16.90 and offer six resistance levels and are a great size for pilates and strength-based exercise.

To get started with resistance bands, YouTube videos can offer ideas on how to use them safely. I recommend Allegra Shaw’s Butt Exercise video which shows a few different exercises using resistance bands. She also has a great abs workout which requires no equipment at all.

Online Resources

As well as equipment, there are a wealth of online exercise resources that we think will really make a great at-home exercise regime. You don’t even need any equipment for many of these online classes.

First up are live yoga classes. Supporting local businesses at this time is a great way to help others while getting the benefit of a class. Unlike a pre-recorded class, you’ll be able to chat with others in the class at the beginning before settling down for a class with a qualified teacher.

I recommend Wellness Space, where you can catch a class with myself three times a week! The classes are taught through Zoom and you can choose to have your camera on or off. Your audio will be on at the start for some pre-yoga chat before being turned off so that only the teacher can be heard throughout. You might decide to have your own yoga playlist on during the class so that you can imagine you’re in a studio as you move. All classes with Wellness Space are £5 and are offering teachers and studio a lifeline to keep going while we can’t teach in person.

On YouTube, Natacha Oceane has a variety of videos from 20 Minute HIIT to a full-body home workout that requires no equipment and won’t make any noise if you live in an apartment.

However you choose to workout, just make sure you stay home, stay safe and enjoy it. Right now, exercise should be a way to feel good and boost your endorphins, so try a variety of workouts and discover what works for you.