Versatile and easy-to-use equipment

You’ll read on this site from time to time about how exercise equipment is essentially unnecessary - when it comes right down to it all the tools you need for a good workout can be found in your home.

Well here’s the thing. Workouts made up of products in the home are great if you’re low on cash or hesitant about shelling out for quality products right away. But there will come a point when you’ll realize fitness is for you, and you’ll crave the sort of variety a soup can and a kitchen chair just can’t offer.

Variety is the spice of fitness

For most women the more options they have for working out at home, the more likely they are to do it. When a stability ball isn’t being used as a balancer for leg lifts or as a great way to stretch after a workout, it’s rolling around the living room providing extra seating for guests.

As for resistance bands, they can be a little better hidden, but part of a home gym nonetheless. The fluid movements and easy strengthening you can get with a resistance band is unlike any other piece of fitness equipment. Not to mention the convenience.

Just try lugging a set of 15 lb dumbbells to the office for a few break-time shoulder presses. Bands can fit in your purse, and probably weight less than your wallet. But once you start using them you’ll feel the burn just as you would with any weighted equipment.

Are balls and bands a woman’s answer to dumbbells and barbells?

Women tend to gravitate more towards non-weighted strength training equipment, such as balls and bands, and that’s completely fine. Many find it’s a lot less intimidating when they’re starting out. And besides, if you’re already using the equipment in a yoga or Pilates classes, it’s something you’ll be familiar with.

The bottom line

Exercise bands and balls are great for adding variety and allowing movements that can’t be done with weighted strength training equipment, but limiting yourself to only a few pieces of equipment can bring on boredom.