Every athlete knows that the core is the most important part of the body. A strong core can make the difference in virtually every sport, from running to swimming and from rock-climbing to basketball. A well-trained midsection, as athletes usually call it, is also terribly important for your overall posture, balance and can help you avoid back pain. Essentially every move you make throughout the day is connected to your midsection.
OK, so the core strength is the most important thing to focus on. But how can you properly train it? Is there a piece of home fitness equipment that is specifically designed for the midsection? It’s fair to say, these days with fitness influencers and individuals seeking a healthy lifestyle, the options are endless. Let’s take a closer look:
The Exercise Ball
This piece of fitness equipment is ubiquitous – you can find it in every gym, no matter where you go. It is by far the best exercise equipment you can find and can be used for virtually any exercise. Also, because it is fairly small and adaptable, you can use it in your home. The exercise ball can be used to improve coordination, flexibility, strength, and balance. A good exercise ball should be not to hard and not too soft – it should comfortably support your weight and it should feel comfortable. For more exciting workouts, you can choose an exercise ball with ballast inside it. This makes it more difficult to move, toss and roll, adding more tension to your core area. Here’s what you can do with it:
- Use it as a weight bench, for flexibility and ab exercises
- Use it as a chair – while working on the computer or while you watch TV
The Pilates Ring
No, you don’t have to go to a pilates class to get the full benefits of this amazing exercise. A simple pilates ring will do the trick just fine in the comfort of your own home. This is one of the most effective home fitness equipment you can have. It’s inexpensive and easy to use, plus it is amazingly beneficial for your core. Here’s how to use the pilates ring:
- Squeeze it between your hands – the high tension ring will create tension for your core muscles, helping them grow and become stronger
- Squeeze it between your feet – this will help you work the lower body
Medicine Balls
We all know medicine balls from P.E. class back in high-school. While some of us don’t have the best memories concerning them, they are far more fun than you can imagine. They are also incredibly effective as home fitness equipment. They are small, adaptable and you can use it for virtually every move that trains your core – you can swing them in circles, toss them, bounce them, squeeze them and much more. They help build your stamina, your coordination, and your balance.
Foam Rollers
These sure look weird at first glance, but they are great additions for your home gym. They can improve your strength, flexibility and balance – all in one, and with minimal costs. They are small and easy to store, so they are ideal for even the smallest home gym. Use it by lying on it while doing crunches, presses or hold it while doing pushups. It’s amazingly versatile and you will never get bored with it. You can even use this device to massage your tight muscles after a stressful day.
The Balance Disk
The balance disk is one of the best exercise equipment in any home gym. It’s fun, it’s adaptable and can be used even in your office. Sit on it while watching TV, while working or while reading. Wobble around and enjoy the great workout for your core. Sure, you will look a little strange while wobbling around at your desk, but you will feel better. Other exercises to try are bicep curls, overhead presses, all while balancing on this incredible device. You can even use it as a small pillow for floor exercises. It’s amazingly versatile and one of the cheapest devices you can buy for your home gym.
Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are incredible for your core. They create excellent tension for your core and stabilizer muscles – basically, every part of the exercise is under stress, so your muscles will be active at all times. Virtually every muscle fiber in your core will be activated. The bands are very small and inexpensive, making them ideal for travel or for a variety of different purposes. They work out your entire body, are adaptable and last a lifetime.
Kettlebells
Kettlebells are some of the best exercise equipment tools you can buy for your home gym. They are simple iron weights with a bowling ball design. They feature a handle at the top and come in various sizes, designs, and shapes. The kettlebells are very important because they require you to engage the whole core area when lifting or moving them. They build your stamina, flexibility, and stability. Kettlebell workouts can train multiple muscle groups at once, but they can also be used to isolate certain groups. They are very similar to barbels but much easier to use.
The Chin-up Bar
Every home gym should have a chin-up bar. Although often overlooked, it is a hugely important piece of equipment for any home gym. It is great for building core strength. Just a few pull-ups every day can build and improve your upper body, core, and back. They can either be free-standing, installed on the doorway or can be fixed in walls. They are very inexpensive and can be found at any sports store.
The Exercise Mat
There is no good home gym without a high-quality exercise mat. This piece of equipment is the main component of any floor exercise. Get a good exercise mat and start working on your plank exercises, bicycle crunch exercises, and vertical leg crunches. You can also experiment with multiple stretching exercises – there’s no limit to what you can do with a good exercise mat!
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