10 Fitness Purchases That Are Worth The Investment

Gym equipment is expensive and takes up a lot of space in your home! Many people stray away from having a home gym as a result. The reality is that you can control how much you spend by simplifying your gym wish list and waiting before making purchases! While not every person wants or can fit a fully equipped gym in their living space, there are a few staple pieces you can start off with to get things started!

Here are some fitness purchases that are worth the money!

1. One of the most important basics is an exercise mat.

At some point in your fitness journey, you will need a mat! Are you more of a yoga person or someone who enjoys high-intensity workouts? Keep in mind the type of workouts you plan to do, where you plan to do them, and look for a mat that is a quality product and is durable enough to withstand wear and tear. Make sure you buy one that is easy to move around your home and easy to travel with!

This mat is perfect for everyone:

2. A squat-proof pair of leggings or shorts!

No matter if you are working out at home or in a real gym, you should definitely invest in a nice pair of leggings or shorts. Avoid the temptation to buy something for the brand name. Just because a pair of leggings cost almost $100 does not mean they are the best pair for you or your needs. Take some time researching and trying on different pairs until you find leggings or shorts that are perfect for you! Don’t forget to check and see if they pass the squat test so you can exercise worry-free!

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3. A sports bra that actually holds everything in place.

Bra shopping is never fun, especially when you are looking for the perfect sports bra. Everyone has different things they are looking for in this piece of clothing. Depending on the type of exercises you plan to do, you may need one designed for high impact! Take the time to research different brands, try some on, and watch review videos to see which bra is worth your money.

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4. Exercise shoes that can take a beating but keep your feet supported.

While your first instinct might be to go buy the first stylish shoes you find, resist the urge! Take some time to look for shoes that will best suit the type of workouts you will be doing and go from there. Be careful not to judge a shoe by its brand! Just because it may not be a brand that you love, does not mean that their shoes are bad! If you can, try them on before purchasing! Test them out so you know how they feel and will or won’t work for you!

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5. Buy some dumbbells for your home gym!

Unfortunately, dumbbells are not something that everyone can afford. Depending on the weight you need, they can quickly become expensive. If you are careful to buy only the ones you will actually use and shop around for deals, you can find some at reasonable prices! Buying adjustable dumbbells might be a great option if you plan to continue working out for a long time. They are expensive upfront, but will last for years as you continue to grow muscle!

Try these adjustable dumbbells:

6. They might be overhyped but “booty bands” are definitely worth the money!

These resistance bands are affordable and are extremely versatile for various workouts! Even if you do not have any weights, you can still get a difficult, sweaty workout in with some bands. You can buy these in packs of three (light, medium, heavy) or as individual bands! The individual ones are often made of higher quality materials and come in heavier resistances than the multi-packs. No matter which way you go, your glutes will be on fire!

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7. Believe it or not, full-body resistance bands can be just as effective as weights!

The heavier you go, the higher the price tag. Similar to the “booty bands” these resistance bands are made to be used for whatever muscle group you are targeting! They are easy to use and do not take up a lot of space when it comes to storing them.

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8. One of the easiest ways to add variety to your workouts is with a plyo box!

While a plyo box is not for everyone, it is a great asset to have in your home gym. Whether you want to make one yourself and customize it to your needs or buy one from the store, you can add new exercises to your routines. There are also exercise “steps” you can purchase as well that might better suit your needs depending on the type of workouts you enjoy! Do some online shopping before making the splurge.

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9. If you are interested in workout recovery or wanting to improve the quality of your workouts, try out some pre-workout and protein powders!

As you always should before buying items like these, do your research to see if they are safe for you to consume! Pre-workout is mixed with water to give you an extra boost of energy so you will have a more effective workout! Be careful not to take too much since after all, it is caffeine and everyone reacts differently. There are various whey and plant-based protein powders you can take after a hard workout to help your muscles recover! Do some research and see which ones are best for you!

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10. Last but not least, go ahead and buy a gym bag for storage!

While you might only have to carry your bag around the house, having something to hold most (or all) of your workout equipment will make your life so much easier! You can store your protein powder, pre-workout, resistance bands, and more inside your bag so everything is stored all in one place.