At-Home Substitutes For Gym Equipment

If you don’t like the gym, we’ve got good news for you! Common household items can be repurposed as gym equipment. It’s cost-effective, easy and convenient. These substitutions can help you maintain your fitness routine without leaving the house.

Replace dumbbells with water bottles – filled up, of course. The bottles can act as lightweight dumbbells for exercises such as bicep curls and shoulder presses. For heavier weights use your 2 or 3-litre milk bottles and fill them with water or sand.

A loaded backpack can serve as a versatile piece of workout equipment. Fill it with books or other heavy items to create adjustable weights. Wear it during squats, lunges, or push-ups to add resistance and intensity to your workout.

These can be used for a variety of exercises! Perform tricep dips off the edge of a sturdy chair or use it for step-ups and elevated push-ups. A chair can also assist in balance exercises or serve as support for stretching routines. Check out our blog on seated exercises to find out just how much exercise you can get out of a chair. 

Towels can be used for resistance exercises. Hold the towel in each hand, putting your foot in the middle of the towel and raise your leg as far as you can. A blanket will also do the trick, so will an old t-shirt!

Stairs provide you with an excellent opportunity for a cardio workout. Use them for step-ups, calf raises, or running up and down to elevate your heart rate and turn it into a high impact workout! 

Wall sits are a great workout for both your legs, glutes and core. Hold a seated position against the wall with your knees bent at 90 degrees to build endurance and strength in your thighs. 

Load up the laundry basket and get to lifting. It can help to build strength in your arms and if you walk around with it then you’re adding some cardio into the mix! 

Cleaning the house also burns a lot of calories! Check out how many here.

Get creative with your workouts by utilising what you have at home! If you are interested in having a home gym, check out our pre-purchase checklist for gym equipment, then have a read of our blog on how to create a budget-friendly home gym.