2 years ago, right before the pandemic hit, you literally could not find a piece of fitness equipment anywhere. Every store in Toronto I went to was wiped clean and dozens of products on Amazon were either sold out or the price was jacked up unreasonably high. So the quarantine forced me to go back to the basics and start planning workouts with minimal equipment and body-weight exercises. The reality is that just like in life, we might already have all that we need. Two years later, we’re in another lockdown and I had to revisit and utilize some of the same methods that worked for my first go-round. I love throwing the weight around, but it’s actually ridiculously crazy how much of a sweat you can get by just using your body weight and maybe a few dumbbells. Whether you are a beginner or advanced individual, below are my top 5 essentials workout pieces of equipment. I also included intangible things that are a must-have for successfully completing and continuing on your fitness lifestyle.

- Resistance bands. They have become very popular through social media, and they are not just for building a bigger gluteus. These are excellent for adding resistance to a body weight exercise. They are also great for priming your body and for developing overall strength.

- Skipping ropes. They are excellent for cardio when you don’t have any cardio equipment. They improve cardiovascular ability, ankle mobility, and posture among other benefits.

- Kettlebells.  These are among the most versatile pieces of equipment. They are great for power, developing strength,and improving cardiovascular abilities.

- TRX Suspension: This device delivers one of the best and most effective total body workouts and can be used by both beginners and advanced alike.

- Foam rollers. Proper rest and recovery is essential to building muscles. A foam roller, with the appropriate degree of firmness for your body type, is a wonderful thing to have around.

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