TOP 10 Gym Equipment for Weight Loss

As far as food intake, the goal is to eat less than your body burns, thus losing fat. As for exercise, it has two major benefits for weight loss and fat loss.

The first is building muscle. Stored muscle burns more energy than stored fat. This is important because energy comes from calories. The greater your calorie needs, the easier it is to fall short. The easier it is to fall short, the easier it is to lose weight. Another benefit of exercise is the amount of energy (or calories) burned during exercise.

The following equipment will help create a well-rounded weight loss exercise plan – some are better for building muscle, and some are better for burning calories during a workout. Plus, some can be used for both.

There’s everything from cardio machines to free weights. Let’s get started.

1. Barbell

The barbell is one of the greatest strength machines ever made and is great for building strength and muscle. While a barbell does take up more space in your home gym than dumbbells or kettlebells, it is a great piece of equipment that rewards hard work and helps you lose weight.

Almost all commercial gyms will have barbells, so you can experience one there before deciding to buy one for yourself. So what should you look for when buying a barbell?

Barbells come in several different shapes and sizes. The first difference is between men’s and women’s barbells. Men’s barbells weigh 20 kilograms or about 45 pounds; women’s barbells weigh 15 kilograms or about 35 pounds. The reason women’s barbells are lighter is not because men are generally stronger than women. In fact, many women lift more weight and lift more total weights than men. The reason women’s barbells are heavier is more due to size. The barbell is shorter in length and smaller in width. This helps female lifters make better anatomical movements when using the barbell. That being said, many women use men’s barbells without any problems. They are also generally more readily available.

The second thing to consider when buying a barbell is whether you want a traditional barbell or an Olympic barbell. If your goal is to lose weight and build muscle, an Olympic barbell is recommended. If you have already purchased a barbell, you might as well buy one that will allow you to do most exercises. Traditional barbells are a bit stiff and don’t rotate very quickly; Olympic barbells are designed for performing Olympic lifts, such as the snatch and the clean and jerk. Rotation is very important to the performance and safety of Olympic lifts. That being said, if you feel you will never do Olympic lifts, then it’s fine either way. A good barbell will last a long time. I’m sure you don’t want to save money here.

2. Weight Plates

While barbells are great, weight plates allow you to achieve progressive overload. But without plates, the functionality of a barbell is greatly reduced.

The weight plate are usually made of rubber or metal and slides onto the end of the barbell, mainly range from 2.5 pounds to 55 pounds.

For example, let’s say you squat once a week and last week you did 4 sets of 5 reps at 225 pounds. This week you could do 4 sets of 5 reps at 235 pounds. The added weight of a plate is important for building muscle – which is important in your weight loss journey.

If you are looking to purchase plates for your home gym, I highly recommend some kind of rubber plates. There are many options out there, but rubber plates can provide you with the same functionality as metal plates; however, they can be discarded.

This is helpful if you want to do any type of Olympic lifts, high intensity interval training, or functional fitness.

What should you look for in a weight plate?

If you are considering buying weight plates for your home gym, I highly recommend some type of rubber plates. There are a lot of options here, but rubber plates will give you the same functionality as metal plates; however, they can be discarded.

This is helpful if you want to do any type of Olympic lifts, high intensity interval training, or functional fitness.

Metal plates will work too if you don’t plan on dropping the weights and like the sound of steel plates rattling.

The two main options for rubber are shredded rubber or rubber coated bumper plates. Both are great options and you really can’t go wrong. Typically, shredded rubber plates are slightly cheaper and come in black. They are usually made from recycled tires. Rubber coated plates look like a rainbow. Typically, green plates weigh 25 pounds, yellow plates weigh 35 pounds, blue plates weigh 45 pounds, and red plates weigh 55 pounds. These plates look great, but function the same as shredded rubber plates. Both of these plates will last a long time and provide you with the resistance you need to build muscle and lose weight.

3. Power Racks

Okay, I promise we’ll move on from plates to something else soon, but having a power rack is very important when using plates and weights.

A power rack allows you to load a barbell to a specific height.

For example, let’s say you want to do a back squat. You have a few options. First, you could hold the barbell up to your shoulders, then lift it overhead and lower it to your back.

You can certainly do this, but getting the weight down your back is probably going to be much harder than actually squatting – so it kind of defeats the purpose.

Second, you could have two really strong friends who lift the barbell and place it on your back. This might work, but it’s nowhere near as safe or practical as our third option – a power rack.

When using a power rack, you can set the barbell to your desired height, load the weight on it, and then remove the barbell from the rack to perform your desired exercise. This is especially useful for squats, bench presses, and overhead presses.

There are a few other big advantages to power racks.

First, they usually have built-in storage for weight plates. This helps keep your plates off the ground or from having to buy a plate storage rack.

Power racks also usually come with built-in pull-up bars. Pull-ups are great for working your back and biceps muscle groups.

What to look for in a power rack?

First, know how much space you have. Space is crucial when building a home gym. Unfortunately, buying the wrong power rack can really take up a lot of space.

Power racks come in all shapes and sizes. Some fold out from the wall, which saves a ton of space, and some extend from the floor all the way to the ceiling, the length of a car. This may go without saying, but if you’re looking to build a garage gym, a smaller one might be better. We mentioned some of the things to look out for above (storage, pull-up bars). Another thing to consider is quality. You want to know if your rack can handle everything you throw at it. We hope this never happens, but make sure your rack can handle a missed squat. Most racks have safety squat bars that catch the bar if you fail a squat. This is very, very important for your safety, so make sure your gym rack has these.

4. Dumbbells

If you could only buy one piece of equipment, this would probably be it.

I say this for a few reasons.

First, one of the biggest limiting factors in a home gym is space.

Dumbbells are a great space saver—you only need two sets when you’re just starting out. Another reason I like dumbbells is that you can do so many exercises with them—from squats and curls to deadlifts and farmer’s walks.

Ideally, you’ll want to have a barbell, plates, and dumbbells. However, if you’re a new lifter looking to shed a few pounds, dumbbells will work just as well.

One thing to consider is that eventually you’ll outgrow the strength of the dumbbells—or you’ll end up doing 20-30 reps.

What type of dumbbells is best?

Here are a few options. My favorite is the adjustable dumbbell set. These dumbbells have a handle and an externally adjustable weight set. There are a lot of brands that sell these, but the principle is pretty much the same. What’s great about them is that they take up the space of a large pair of dumbbells but offer a wide range of weights (usually around 5-50+ lbs). They do tend to be more expensive, but you’ll save a lot of money compared to buying 5-50 pound dumbbells per pair.

Another option is traditional dumbbells. They usually have a metal or rubber coating. They work the same, except that the rubber coating may be easier to drop on the floor – but unlike a weighted barbell, you shouldn’t drop the dumbbells.

Some people think that single dumbbells feel better than adjustable dumbbells. This may be because adjustable dumbbells may move slightly when used. All in all, dumbbells are dumbbells, and your body will stay in good shape no matter which direction you exercise them. Make sure to buy dumbbells, without them, your home gym is not complete.

5. Kettlebells

Kettlebells have many similarities to dumbbells.

They are relatively inexpensive and have a ton of exercise options.

The biggest difference between kettlebells and dumbbells is that kettlebells are designed to rotate. Because of the shape of kettlebells, they are easier to swing.

This is great for kettlebell swings, clean and jerk, and snatch. On the other hand, I would say dumbbells are better suited for exercises like dumbbell bench presses, bicep curls, and shoulder raises.

But at the end of the day, the two are interchangeable 90% of the time.

Kettlebells, dumbbells, and barbells not only help you build muscle, but they also help you burn calories during your workouts – ultimately helping you lose weight.

What Should You Look for in a Kettlebell?

Kettlebells are pretty simple. There really isn’t a lot of variation in kettlebell styles here. The biggest thing to consider is what size kettlebell you want to buy. For most people who are just starting out, a 35-pound kettlebell is a great starting point. This is a good weight that you can get a few swings with and then slowly start to increase your reps. It’s also a good weight to start any type of kettlebell goblet exercise (squats, lunges, etc.).

6. Jump Rope

Do you remember what it felt like to jump rope on the playground?

Chances are that was the last time you tried jumping rope.

Thinking of ditching your exercise bike or other cardio machine? It’s time to pull out that old rope and see what you can do with it. Jumping rope is one of the best cardio exercises you can do and a great way to burn calories.

One of the things to consider when choosing a workout routine is number one – your goals – but number two – what do you enjoy? This is one reason I love jumping rope, and some people find it fun, and I tend to agree.

Jumping rope should be viewed similar to running.

It doesn’t necessarily build a lot of muscle, but it’s great for your cardiovascular endurance and burning calories.

When you see jumping rope, you might think it’s pretty simple – just buy a jump rope and you’re done. But there are things you might not have considered. Believe it or not, some jump ropes are designed for specific types of jumps. Some ropes are speed ropes designed for fast movements, which usually means trying to get the rope to pass under your feet two or more times before your feet land again. Other ropes are designed for tricks, and some are heavy to give your arms a bigger workout.

For most people, a jump rope that’s closer to the speed rope category is best. Especially if you’re just starting to learn jump rope, we want to keep it as simple as possible. The goal is to lose weight (and have fun), not to become a world-class jump rope expert. Also, be sure to check the website of the company you plan to buy the rope from. There should be some detailed information about sizing and make sure you choose a rope of the right length.

You certainly don’t want a rope that’s too short and hits your calves, nor do you want a rope that’s too long and hits the ground too early.

7. Rowing Machine

You may not be too familiar with rowing machines.

Rowing machines can be used for anything from a relaxing warm-up to one of the hardest workouts of your life.

Similar to skipping rope, using a rowing machine is great for cardiovascular endurance.

The rowing machine is one of my favorite cardio machines because you can work your entire body and get a full-body workout. When rowing, you push with your legs first and then pull with your upper body at the end.

If you spend a lot of time on an exercise bike, treadmill, or other cardio machine, this can help balance out your workout routine.

You can still get very similar results, but you work different muscles with a rowing machine.

What should you look for in a rowing machine?

There are several companies that make rowing machines. You can achieve your overall goal of rowing against resistance with any of the companies. Some machines use water as resistance, while others use fans or air resistance. At the end of the day, they all create resistance as you row.

The most popular rowing machine is the Concept 2. It has a display that gives you feedback on watts, pace, distance, and even calories. However, don’t expect the calories to match up with the calories you actually burned. The calories on the Concept 2 are more of a work-load measurement. Since calories burned depend on an individual’s body size, heart rate, and other factors, the machine can’t be that accurate. Instead, use the calories to compare how much work you completed this week to last week, or to compare yourself to a buddy who’s taking part in a workout challenge.

8. Sleds

Sleds have become popular lately, and for good reason.

Similar to the rowing machine, sleds can be used as a warm-up or to exhaust you. Sled sprints are one of the hardest exercises and will get your heart rate really high.

Some of the sled workouts I did when I was playing soccer still give me nightmares.

Sleds are primarily used to work the lower body, but they certainly work your upper body as well, giving you a full-body workout.

Sleds can also be used to build strength with a lot of load. You can walk forward, backward, or even sideways, and each direction targets a different muscle group in the legs.

You can also tie a rope to the sled and pull it, which is a great back-strengthening exercise.

The best thing about sleds is that they are easy for people to use regardless of their fitness journey. Whether you are an elite athlete who lifts 1,000+ pounds or you are visiting the gym for the first time and want to try something new, you can use a sled. Sleds are also low risk. Because the sled is supported by the ground and you are just moving it horizontally, once it stops, it stops. This is obviously very different than squats or bench presses. If you stop applying force to your squats, you won’t be able to complete reps – the same goes for bench presses.

This added benefit makes sleds particularly attractive to people who are just starting to exercise.

One of the only downsides to sleds is that they require a little space.

However, if you have a driveway or even a sidewalk, then you can use a sled on concrete.

Which sled is best?

That depends on the space you have. They sleds are very compact and lightweight. These sleds can still handle a lot of weight plates added, but they can’t handle as much weight as a large metal frame sled.

While size does matter because space is a big thing in a home gym, sometimes bigger is better. It really depends on what you want to do with the sled. No matter which sled you choose, you should be able to pull it and walk sideways. With a smaller sled, you might miss out on the ability to push the sled. When it comes to sleds, push sleds are arguably the best value for money.

Therefore, it’s a good idea to choose a sled with handles or bars. Now, most sleds have these, but make sure the one you buy has them. If space is an issue, you can opt for a sled without handles and simply tie the sled rope or straps around your waist and pull on them as you walk forward. It’s not ideal, but it will still work.

9. Sandbag

Not only do sandbags build strength, they get your whole body moving and your heart pumping.

Sandbags typically range in weight from 25 pounds to over 300 pounds.

You probably won’t need anything heavier than 150 pounds, though—unless, of course, you’re trying to establish your dominance in the neighborhood and want all the neighbors to know who’s boss.

With a sandbag, you can perform exercises like cleans and jerks, squats, and carry.

These exercises not only work your legs, but your core—imagine walking with a 100-pound weight in your arms. It’s a very effective workout.

Plus, if you can carry a 100-pound sandbag, that bag of groceries will feel pretty light.

What should you look for in a sandbag?

When buying a sandbag, you’ll probably only need one. For beginners, we recommend about 50-75 pounds for men and 25-50 pounds for women. This will depend a lot on your strength and exercise history, but these are good starting points. Sandbags come in all shapes and sizes. Some have straps and are long, and some are shaped like a fat pillow. Sandbags with handles are easier to use for exercises like farmer’s carry or bent-over rows, while bags without handles are better for gripping, bag carrying, and cleaning. There’s a place for each, and there’s no wrong answer here.

10. Stair Climber

Have you ever tried to climb the stairs at work or a ball game, only to find yourself halfway up and out of breath?

Well, imagine that feeling, for twenty or thirty minutes – that’s the stair climber.

While the stair climber is tough, it provides a great workout and calorie burn.

If you’re looking for a way to burn some calories and give your upper body a break, the stair climber can be one of your best friends. Simply hop on, set the speed, and start climbing.

If you have the space, this can be a great addition to your home gym, however, they tend to be pretty large. Most commercial gyms have at least a few stair climbers in the cardio machine section. Be careful though, you may find it difficult to walk back to your car after climbing so many flights of stairs.
The stair climber is one of the more effective cardio machines.

Also, if you want to ensure that you can climb stairs and remain independent as you age, get stair climbing today!

When looking at stair climbers, you’ll need to first determine if your home gym can accommodate them, as they are quite large. Once you’ve determined that you can, you can then consider things like the size of the steps, what type of display the stair climber has, and whether it’s a commercial stair climber. Commercial stair climbers will likely be larger, but they’ll also be sturdier and last longer.

Summary

Remember that no piece of equipment can guarantee weight loss or fat loss. Whether you’re riding an exercise bike or doing push-ups, the most important thing is consistency.

However, using these pieces of equipment as part of a well-designed fitness routine will put you on the path to success.

Remember to focus on your nutrition and eat not only the right foods, but the right amounts of foods to support your goals, and you’ll be on the right path to support weight loss and fat loss.