Choosing weight loss equipment can be quite scary, especially as a beginner. Having the best weight loss equipment can change your at-home exercises and enable you to shed even more fat and pounds, helping you achieve your goals sooner.
However, with so many options to choose from, deciding on the best home exercise equipment for weight loss can be a headache. In this article, you will find both small equipment and larger machines to help you with your goal. There are multiple options to fit your needs, budget, and space available in your home.
What Are The Best Home Exercise Equipment For Weight Loss?
For many people hoping to shed some extra pounds, going to the gym can be a little daunting. Not only because of the current pandemic, but also due to factors like paying or committing to a gym membership, weight shame, and fat-shaming, or just fear or looking confused around all the fancy machines.
If you fall into any of the above categories, then home workouts are best for you as they are convenient every day. While bodyweight workouts can still help you get slimmer and fitter, having some equipment can heavily boost your workouts, and they are also an investment. Listed below are some suggestions for the best home gym equipment for weight loss (16).
Remember that weight loss equipment can be quite expensive. You do not have to get them all at once. Just buy a few at first, and you can slowly build on your at-home gym.
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Jump Rope
Skipping ropes are easily some of the best exercise equipment for weight loss. Not only are they usually quite cheap, but they are a fun way to do your cardio every morning or evening. A 150-pound person can lose up to 45 calories jumping rope 600 times (14). For a more intense workout, use a weighted rope or skip in a HIIT format.
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Resistance Bands
These bands are affordable, convenient, and lightweight tools to train all your major muscles wherever you are. They are quite small and light, thus easy to carry and use even when traveling. Resistance bands come in different strength levels, namely easy, intermediate, and expert. They are a good home gym equipment option as can be included in cardio workouts for toning and fat loss.
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Dumbbells
They might be expensive, but they also offer multiple benefits and thus are a good weight loss equipment option to invest in. Some of their benefits include muscle strength and mass, increased bone density, and easy use for multiple workouts (1).
Read More: HIIT Workouts With Weights: This Hardcore Strength-Boosting Routine Is Sure To Leave You Sore
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Medicine Ball
Medicine balls can be used for workouts such as crunches, medicine ball slams, straight leg sit-ups, shoulder press, bicep curls, and triceps extensions. You can use this ball for isolation workouts for your chest, glutes, arms, and legs or full-body exercises such as medicine ball slams (5).
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Bosu Balls
These balls are great for multiple workouts such as squats, sit-ups, squats, balance and curls, boat pose, and more. They are especially good if you want to work on your balance.
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Gymnastic Rings
If you have a high enough (and strong enough) ceiling, then you can install some gymnastic rings for your at-home workouts. They can be used for crossfit and calisthenics exercises such as pull-ups, press-ups, L-sits, and more.
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Kettlebells
Like dumbells, kettlebells are also among some of the best workout equipment for weight loss. You can use these cast-iron weights for multiple full-body or isolation exercises for weight loss and muscle growth.
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Yoga Or Exercise Mat
While many people do not consider them to be important, you might consider getting a mat. They provide some extra padding between your body and the ground, which is good for your joints, and offer some balance and stability as unlike your bare or socked feet; they do not slide.
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Barbells
Like dumbbells and kettlebells, it is possible to do a full-body workout with just a barbell. You can use this tool in exercises such as squats, stiff-legged deadlifts, lunges, standing calf raises, lying bench presses, bent-over rows, and bicep curls, among others (20).
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Punching Bag
Who says that you cannot release stress and burn calories at the same time? A punching bag is not for everyone but can be used by anyone who wants to start kickboxing. Kickboxing helps with weight loss, improves sleep, boosts cardiovascular health, and improves muscle strength and balance (21).
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A Weighted Vest
Weighted vests come in many variations and can weigh anywhere from 5 pounds to 80 pounds. These vests are great for anyone unwilling to buy any of the above equipment, such as medicine balls, dumbbells, and kettlebells. The weight allows your hand to be free while still providing extra weight for bodyweight exercises.
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Ab Wheel
Unlike many of the equipment mentioned above, the ab wheel cannot be used for multiple workouts. It is, however, perfect for anyone who wishes to work toward getting some six-pack abs.
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Exercise Sliders
They are also known as sliding or gliding discs and are perfect home weight loss equipment. These sliders provide a challenging workout that builds both strength and stability, and can also be used to build endurance and flexibility. Workouts that can incorporate these gliding discs include mountain climbers, knee tucks, side lunges, sliding push-ups, reaching reverse lunges, plank jacks, and more (9).
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Ankle/Wrist Weights
These can weigh anywhere from 3 to 20 pounds, and beginners are advised to use lighter weights that are between 3 to 5 pounds. Ankle and wrist weights weigh down your body, providing more resistance in your workouts. This resistance helps with weight loss and helps with muscle breakdown and eventual growth.
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Step Platform
You will need this if you are going to be doing any kinds of step aerobics. These exercises improve overall fitness by building strength, reducing fat, and boosting your cardiovascular health (10). This platform can be used for workouts such as squat pop-overs, offset-push-up crossovers, Bulgarian split squats, and decline mountain climbers.
While weights and weighted workouts offer multiple benefits (4) such as improved posture, better sleep, gaining bone density, maintaining weight loss, boosting metabolism, lowering inflammation, and staving off chronic disease, they can be detrimental to your health if you use them improperly. As a beginner, always opt to buy lighter weights as opposed to the heaviest thing you can find. Start light and work your way up to bigger and heavier weight loss equipment to prevent injury.
Read More: Resistance Training For Weight Loss: How To Boost Your Weight Loss Goals Through Strength Training
How To Use Gym Equipment For Weight Loss?
If you would rather work out at the gym instead of at home, you must first familiarize yourself with the best machines that can aid your weight loss journey. Not only will this cut down your time spent ‘learning on the go,’ but it is also never a bad idea to look like you know what you are doing. Some of the best gym equipment for weight loss and toning (17) include:
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The Elliptical Machine
Elliptical machines are amazing for both beginners and veteran gym-goers. Using this machine for 30 to 40 minutes several times a week provides you with a fantastic cardio workout that is good for fat loss and cardiovascular health. For an effective workout session while on the elliptical machine, aim for a pulse rate that’s between 50 and 85 percent of your maximum heart rate (11).
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The Squat Machine
Squats are usually included in weight loss workouts as they are considered as full-body or compound exercise. Squat machines are considered among the best gym equipment for weight loss and toning as they help work multiple muscles, including but not limited to the core, hamstrings, quads, glutes, and calves. This machine also offers extra weight that helps break down muscle, which helps it grow.
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Rowing Machine
Rowing is considered one of the best low impact workouts for weight and fat loss. Depending on your weight and level of intensity on the rowing machine, you can burn anywhere from 214 to 867 calories in an hour (15). The heavier you are, the more energy you will burn. This machine offers a full-body workout as it requires the muscles in your calves, quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, abs, obliques, pecs, biceps, triceps, deltoids, upper back, and lats.
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The Stairmaster
If you wanted a toned butt and legs, then the Stairmaster should be your friend or nemesis, depending on how badly your legs will be shaking once you are done. Despite the machine being brutal on your legs during ‘leg day’ it provides a really fantastic workout and promotes weight loss. Using this gym equipment for just 30 minutes can make a 155-pound person burn up to 446 calories in an hour (7).
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The Air Bike
Also known as the assault bike, this is a great gym weight loss equipment. Just like its name suggests, it is a bike that provides a cycling workout. However, unlike an actual bicycle of a stationary bike, the air bike does not have a chain. Instead, it uses a fan that provides wind resistance as you pedal. For maximum fat burning, do a HIIT air bike workout; 40 seconds of fast and intense pedaling and 10 seconds rest.
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The Spin Bike
Spin cycle classes have gained popularity in recent years because a 45-minute class can burn anywhere from 400 to 600 calories. In comparison, it is not considered to be as hard as the air bike, taking a spin class, or just using the bike on your own is a great cardio workout for weight loss. Not only will you lose fat, but this also great for toning your butt, core, and legs (2).
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The Smith Machine
This machine should be considered among the best gym weight loss equipment as it allows you to do different workouts on it. On the Smith machine, you can do exercises such as squats, shoulder presses, and deadlifts. Besides being multi-functional, it also helps you with the proper form that prevents injury (3).
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Hack Squat
As the name suggests, this is a machine for anyone looking to tone and grow their lower body muscles. This machine helps work the muscles in your core, bum, quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and hip flexors.
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The Treadmill
You cannot go through a ‘best weight loss equipment list’ without coming across a treadmill. It is a little like the holy grail of machines, and it is so for a good reason. Running on this machine burns calories during the workout and keeps your metabolism high enough for you to continue expending energy for hours after you have left the gym. This is quite essential to weight and fat loss. When it comes to calories burned, a 185-pound person can burn up to 474 cals in 40 minutes while a 125-pound person will burn about 320 calories in the same amount of time (13).
Remember, if you are unsure how to use any of the machines mentioned above, speak to a trainer at the gym, and they will advise you. It is best to learn how to use these machines properly to avoid injuring yourself (or damaging any of these expensive machines).
How To Use Equipment For Weight Loss At Home?
If you have (or are willing to buy any of the above equipment for your home), they are all pretty easy and straightforward in how to use them for weight loss. However, if you are unsure how to use any of them, speak to a certified trainer to show you how to. Remember that having proper form is essential as it will keep you from hurting yourself. You can also find more information on the equipment manual or through multiple online videos.
How To Use Weight Equipment For Belly Fat Loss?
When most of us think about getting rid of belly fat, we mostly consider cardio exercises to be the best route for this. Granted, cardio workouts do burn many calories at the moment; however, the effects of these exercises fade in a couple of hours after the workout is done. To speed up the loss of belly fat, it is advisable to do both cardio and strength/weight training (12). If you are unsure how to use weight equipment for belly fat loss, here are some exercises that you can incorporate in your routine:
Woodchoppers With A Dumbbell
- Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart. Crouch until your thighs are parallel to the floor, keeping your back straight.
- Hold your dumbbell with both hands next to the outside of your right thigh. Twist your torso to the side and lift the weight up and across your body with straight arms.
- As you lift, stand up and turn your torso, so you end up facing the dumbbell, which is above your left shoulder. Rise onto your toes as you twist and lift.
- Return to the starting position, reversing the twist and bringing the weight down as if chopping wood.
Plank And Rotation
- Begin in a plank position holding a five-pound dumbbell in each hand.
- Lift your left hand to the ceiling, twisting through your entire torso. Keep the motion smooth and controlled. Your pelvis will rotate, but keep it level without letting it rise or drop.
- Bring your left hand back to the floor, and repeat this action on the other side.
More exercises that workout your core can be done with weights and thus are essential for belly fat loss, including Russian twists, reverse lunges with twists, kettlebell windmills, barbell ab rollouts, exercise ball pull-ins (19), dumbbell deadlifts, weighted squats, and leg raises (8), among many more exercises.
What Small Exercise Equipment Is Best For Weight Loss?
Bigger machines are quite expensive, but smaller ones are usually better, not only because they are cheaper, but also because they take up less space. There is no one special exercise equipment that is best for weight loss. However, jump ropes, kettlebells, and dumbbells are popular examples that people often buy and use. You can also add more options such as balance balls, resistance bands, and more listed above if your budget allows it.
What Exercise Equipment Is Best For Weight Loss?
If you are wondering ‘what is the best workout equipment for weight loss’ you can consider machines such as the elliptical, stair steppers, treadmills, bikes, and rowing machines. These machines provide an aerobic workout that reduces the risk of many conditions, such as obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, stroke, and certain types of cancer (6).
They can also be considered the best weight loss equipment as they work out large muscle groups leading to fat loss (18). However, if you do not have enough money to buy or space to store them, you can still use smaller equipment or weights, and they will still help you with your weight loss journey and goals.
The Bottom Line
Weight loss equipment, while not entirely necessary, can be quite beneficial in helping you lose weight and tone your body. Bodyweight workouts can help you lose weight just as easily, but incorporating weights in your routine speeds up this process, as well as muscle strength and gains.
When it comes to the best weight loss equipment, bigger isn’t always better. Bigger machines will definitely work out bigger muscles, burning more calories, but they are also quite expensive and do not fit everyone’s budget. Instead of despairing, opt for smaller home gym equipment for weight loss. These smaller tools can be used in almost all workouts and will help you lose more weight, especially if used in a HIIT workout.
Invest in gym gear that is within your budget and things you are sure you will use. Remember that you must consult your doctor before attempting any workout, irrespective of whether you are using weights/machines or not.
DISCLAIMER:
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any medical conditions. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!
SOURCES:
- 5 Benefits of Dumbbell Training (2015, acefitness.org)
- 8 Tips to Lose Weight With Indoor Cycling (2020, verywellfit.com)
- 9 Useful Gym Machines for Women (2019, health.usnews.com)
- 12 Benefits of Strength Training That Will Convince You to Lift Weights (2020, livestrong.com)
- 25 Must-Try Medicine Ball Exercises (2015, greatist.com)
- Aerobic exercise: Top 10 reasons to get physical (2020, mayoclinic.org)
- Calories and the Stairmaster (2019, livesttrong.com)
- Can I Lose Belly Fat by Lifting Weights? (2019, livestrong.com)
- Get a Full-Body Workout With Sliding Disc Exercises (2018, verywellfit.com)
- Get a Step Aerobics Routine Started (2019, healthline.com)
- Good Pulse Rate for an Elliptical Machine (n.d, livestrong.com)
- Hit the weights, not the treadmill, to reduce belly fat (2014, medicalnewstoday.com)
- How Many Calories Are Burned in 20 Minutes on the Treadmill? (2020, livestrong.com)
- How Many Calories Do You Burn If You Jump Rope 600 Times? (2020, livestrong.com)
- Rowing for Weight Loss: Calories Burned, Workout Plans, and More (2020, healthline.com)
- The 35 Pieces Of Equipment You Need In Your Home Gym (2020, menshealth.com)
- The Best Exercise Machines for Toning & Weight Loss (2020, livestrong.com)
- The Best Fitness Equipment for Weight Loss (n.d, livestrong.com)
- Top 10 Ab-Splitting Exercises (2019, bodybuilding.com)
- Total Body Training With Only A Barbell (2019, bodybuilding.com)
- What Are the Benefits of Kickboxing? (2019, healthline.com)
