7 Workout Accessories You Should Invest in This Year

The CDC recommends adults get about 150 minutes of exercise per week. While it may feel like too much work, its a small price to pay for your overall health and well-being. Getting active can help you stay healthy and live longer.

But a crucial part of staying active is having the right workout accessories. Proper gear can help take your workouts to the next level. Below are 7 workout equipment to invest in this year to maximize your training sessions.

1. Weights

Weight lifting brings more benefits than just a toned body and stronger muscles and a toned body. Using weights for your workouts is a great way to burn body fat, strengthen your bones and make your heart healthier. This is why you should invest in weights.

If you are considering purchasing weights, a pair of dumbbells may be ideal for a fully functional strength-training routine. Ensure the handles of your dumbbells are comfortable and thin. Weights with thinner grips will feel better in your hands and wont hinder your range of motion when working out.

Additionally, consider durability, maximum weight, portability, and price when getting a weight set. Assess your fitness level and purchase weights that match your needs.

2. Resistance Bands/Jumping Ropes

If you do not want to get bulky weights, opt for resistance bands. They are easy to store and offer some benefits of weight lifting. These fitness accessories create resistance and tension in your muscles, strengthening your muscles over time.

No matter what your fitness level is, resistance bands are adaptable. They let you decrease or increase resistance by simply lengthening or shortening the band. You can vary workouts, changing activities to challenge your muscles.

Resistance bands are also portable. You can easily fit them in a travel bag and carry them anywhere unlike weights.

If you prefer cardio training, skipping rope is a great alternative. They not only help increase your heart rate but also boost your lung capacity.

3. Exercise Mat

Is your back bothering you?

It may be because of exercising on the plain floor. This is why you need to get exercise mats. Whether you are working out at home or at the gym, these mats offer an extra layer of padding to protect your joints from getting irritated on hard surfaces.

If you are exercising outside or at a public gym, exercise mats provide the cleanliness you need. You dont have to worry about working out on a dirty ground.

When buying exercise mats, find one with an optimal thickness that also absorbs impact shock.

4. Punching Bag

Whether youre a seasoned boxer or new to boxing training, investing in a punching bag is vital for an effective full-body workout. This can help improve your health and fitness. Some of the different punching options you can choose from include:

• Free-standing punching bag
• Heavy bag
• Boxing bag with stand
• Speed bag
• Hanging punching bag

Once you find the right punching bag, incorporating a sparring workout into your routine can be a good way to enhance cardio endurance and build muscular strength. Exercising with a bag can help you develop better coordination, aim, and balance with your strikes. What’s more, it can challenge your mental fitness.

As you strike your boxing bag, the muscles in your chest, shoulders, arms, back, and legs are all engaged. This makes you work harder throughout your entire workout.

5. Wireless Earbuds

Whether you are lifting weights or sweating it out on the treadmill, wireless earbuds are the right devices to jam to your tunes on the go.

A quality set of workout earbuds like Airpod Pros can energize you with heart-pumping audio. Listening to music while working out can power you to a new personal best. Motivational audio can help you push through fatigue, boosting endurance during your workout.

Ensure you get a pair of premium, comfortable, and sweat-resistant wireless earbuds specifically designed for an active lifestyle.

When purchasing wireless earbuds, remember not all products are equal. There are some quality earbuds out there as well as bad ones. Do your due diligence to find a pair with good sound quality.

6. Fitness Tracker

One of the hardest parts of exercising is knowing where to even begin. Having a personal trainer can be beneficial. But it can be costly and exhausting to match your schedules.

This is where a fitness tracker steps in. It helps you track your workout activities easily. They have a variety of sensors that measure specific workout activities like running without any intervention.

Fitness trackers can also help measure your progress. You can use them to find out the number of steps you took as well as the calories you burned during your workout sessions. Tracking progress can be very motivating.

Apart from monitoring your steps and calories, this workout accessory can help you determine the pace of your heartbeat. You can also monitor your VO2 max, blood pressure, and even sleep.

7. VR Fitness Game

Looking to modernize your workouts?

Investing in a VR fitness game can be ideal. Workouts on VR can be an excellent option if you enjoy virtual workout classes or gamified exercises.

With VR fitness, you use software with an assortment of games and a headset to immerse yourself in a virtual environment. You get to control your character by moving your body. It can include activities like swinging your arms as you fight with a sword, jumping over laser beams, or doing squats while you ride a VR roller coaster.

These activities can help you increase your heart rate, work up a sweat, and burn calories. Unlike traditional workouts, VR fitness routines are more engaging and enjoyable.

Be conscious of your mobility and fitness levels when using VR. If you have an injury or medical condition, talk to your doctor before starting a VR exercise program.

Invest in the Right Workout Accessories

Purchasing workout accessories can help you reach your fitness goals. Choosing the right gear will take a bit of research. But no matter what your fitness level or budget is, there’s an option for you. The accessories above can also act like thoughtful fitness gifts to your loved ones.

To learn more about health and fitness, bookmark our Health blog category for the latest posts.