It seems that another gym gadget hits the market each day. Some pieces of equipment are vital to proper fitness, while others are better left on the shelf. We asked Chris Guerrero, founder and president of CrossFit Westchester just what belongs in virtually any home gym.
Concept 2 Rower
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When it comes to getting in that cardio, Guerrero recommends reaching for a rowing machine “An amazing full body exercise machine that also conserves space, this is one of the best ways to get full-body high intensity interval training done on one piece of equipment,” he says.
Dumbbells
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You might want to pause before you drag that squat rack into your garage. “Just about any exercise done with a barbell can be done with a set of dumbbells, and take up a quarter of the space,” notes Guerrero. “These are great for both strength and conditioning.”
Pull-Up/Dip Station
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“These stations can be tucked away in a corner, and the pull-up and dip are the cornerstone of any upper body strength training program,” explains Guerrero. “Don’t worry if you can’t do these unassisted; for an extra $10-15 you can by an assortment of stretch bands that will help you perform the movement.”
Sandbag
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Before you laugh this one off, listen up. “Squat it, Deadlift it, press it, drag it, carry it — you name it, you can do it with a sandbag,” says Guerrero. “My favorite part about this piece of equipment is it has the lowest barrier of entry in terms of teaching novice exercisers how to properly use it.”
Barbell & Weights
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For Guerrero, when it comes to all-out strength training, the barbell is still king. “All of the best compound strength exercises can be performed with the barbell: front and back squat, shoulder and bench press, and the deadlift. Aside from these movements being functional, they are second to none in building overall strength.”
