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, it is recommended that you choose some type of rubber plate. There are many options here, and rubber plates will provide you with the same functionality as metal plates; however, they are more resistant to shattering than metal plates. This is helpful if you want to do any type of Olympic lifts, high-intensity interval training, or functional fitness.

The two main options for rubber are shredded rubber or rubber-coated bumper plates. Both are great choices. 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. The functionality is the same as shredded rubber plates. Both training plates will last a long time and provide you with the resistance you need to build muscle and lose weight.

Metal plates will work just as well if you don’t plan on dropping the weights and don’t mind the sound of steel plates rattling.

3. Power Racks

Having a power rack is very important when working with plates and weights. A power rack allows you to load a barbell to a specific height. With a power rack, you can set the barbell to the desired height, load it with weights, and then remove the barbell from the rack to perform the desired exercise. This is particularly useful for squats, bench presses, and overhead presses.

Power racks have several other great advantages.

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

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

What to look for in a power rack?

First, know how much space you have. Space is crucial when building a home gym. Power racks come in all shapes and sizes. Some fold out from the wall, which saves a lot of space; some extend from the floor to the ceiling and are the length of a car; if you want to build a garage gym, a smaller one might be better.

Another thing to consider is quality. You want to know if your rack can withstand everything you throw at it. We hope this never happens, but make sure your rack can withstand a failed squat. Most racks have safety squat bars that will catch the bar if you fail your 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.

First of all, one of the biggest limiting factors in a home gym is space. Dumbbells save a lot of space. When you are just starting out, you only need two sets. Another reason is that you can do a lot of exercises with them, such as squats, curls, deadlifts, and farmer’s walks.

However, if you are a beginner looking to lose a few pounds, dumbbells can be just as effective.

What type of dumbbells is best?

There are a few options here. The advantage of adjustable dumbbell sets is that they take up the space of a large pair of dumbbells but offer a wide weight range (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 lb dumbbells per pair.

Another option is traditional dumbbells. They usually have a metal or rubber coating. They work the same way, except that unlike weighted barbells, you shouldn’t drop the dumbbells to avoid damaging the rubber coating.

Some people think that single dumbbells feel better than adjustable dumbbells. This is probably because adjustable dumbbells may move slightly when used. All in all, dumbbells are dumbbells, and no matter which direction you work out, your body will stay in good shape.

Definitely buy dumbbells, your home gym isn’t complete without them.

5. Kettlebells

Kettlebells have many similarities to dumbbells. They are relatively inexpensive and have a ton of workout options.

The biggest difference between kettlebells and dumbbells is that kettlebells rotate. Because of the shape of kettlebells, they are easier to swing. This is great for kettlebell swings, clean and jerk, and snatches. Dumbbells, on the other hand, are better suited for exercises like dumbbell bench presses, bicep curls, and shoulder raises. But 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 whole 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 place to start. This is a good weight to start with and you can do a few swings and then slowly start to increase the reps. It’s also a good weight to start any type of kettlebell goblet workout (squats, lunges, etc.).

6. Jump Rope

Jumping rope is one of the best aerobic exercises you can do and a great way to burn calories. Jumping rope should be viewed as similar to running. It doesn’t necessarily work a lot of muscles, but it is great for your cardiovascular endurance and burning calories.

When you see a jump rope, you might think it’s simple. But there are things you might not have taken into account. Some jump ropes are designed for specific types of jumps; some ropes are speed ropes designed for fast movements, which usually means passing the rope 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 closer to the speed rope category is best. Especially if you’re just starting to learn to jump rope, keep it as simple as possible. Because your 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 shins, nor do you want a rope that’s too long and hits your ground too early.

7. Rowing Machine

Rowing machines work the entire body and provide a full body workout. When rowing, you push first with your legs and end up pulling with your upper body. Exercise Similar to jumping rope, using a rowing machine can greatly help improve your cardiovascular endurance.

This can help you balance your workout schedule if you spend a lot of time on an exercise bike, treadmill, or other cardio machine. While you can still achieve very similar results, 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 these machines. 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.

8. Sleds

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

Sleds are primarily used to work your 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 large loads. You can walk forward, backward, or even sideways, with each direction targeting different muscle groups 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 to use regardless of people’s fitness journey. Sleds are also low-risk. Because the sled is supported by the ground and you’re just moving it horizontally, once it stops, it stops. This is obviously very different from squats or bench presses. This added benefit makes sleds particularly attractive to people who are just starting to work out.

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?

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

While size is important because space is important for a home gym, sometimes bigger is better. It really depends on what you want to do with your 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, pushing a sled is arguably the best value for money.

Therefore, it’s a good idea to choose a sled with handles or crossbars. Now, most sleds have these, but make sure the one you buy has them. If space is an issue, you can choose a sled without handles and simply tie the sled ropes or straps around your waist and pull them while walking forward. It’s not ideal, but it still works.

9. Sandbag

Sandbags not only build strength, but they also get your whole body moving and your heart pumping.

Sandbags typically weigh anywhere from 25 pounds to over 300 pounds. You probably don’t need anything over 150 pounds, though, unless you’re trying to establish yourself as a dominant force in your neighborhood and want all your neighbors to know who’s boss.

With a sandbag, you can do exercises like clean and jerk, squats, and weights. These exercises not only work your legs, but your core as well.

What should you look for in a sandbag?

When buying a sandbag, you may only need one. For beginners, we recommend sandbags of about 50-75 pounds for men and 25-50 pounds for women. This depends a lot on your strength and exercise history. Sandbags come in all shapes and sizes. Some have straps and are long; some are shaped like a fat pillow; sandbags with handles are better for exercises like farmer’s backs or bent-over rows; and sandbags without handles are better for gripping, carrying, and cleaning.

10. Stair Climber

The stair climber is one of the more effective cardio machines. While the stair climber is difficult, it provides a great workout and calorie burn. If you’re looking for a way to burn 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 fairly large. Most commercial gyms have at least a few stair climbers in their cardio machine section. But be careful, you may find it difficult to walk back to your car after climbing so many flights of stairs.

Also, if you want to ensure that you can climb stairs and remain independent as you age, try starting with a stair climber!

When shopping for a stair climber, you’ll want to first determine if your home gym can accommodate them, as they are fairly large. Once you determine that it can, you can then consider factors such as the size of the steps, the type of display the stair climber has, and whether it’s a commercial stair climber. Commercial stair climbers may be larger, but they’re also more rugged and durable.

Summary

Remember, no 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 equipment as part of a well-designed fitness program will put you on the path to success.

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