What’s The Best Equipment For Strength Training?

Technically, you don’t need any equipment to build up strength - exercises like push-ups, crunches and squats can be enough. However, using equipment does speed up the process. And it can make strength training more fun, as well as making it easier to track progress.

There are all kinds of apparatus that you can buy to practise strength training. However, these are arguably some of the best options. 

Dumbbells

Dumbbells are incredibly versatile. There are hundreds of exercises that you can do with them to target pretty much every muscle in your upper body. Plus, you can combine these exercises with squats, lunges and step-ups for a full body workout.

Dumbbells come in many different weights. Buying a set of dumbbells can allow you to practise with different weights and build up your strength. Some dumbbells even have removable weights like barbells for reduced storage space.

Barbell

Using a barbell requires a little more space. However, these pieces of equipment are great for strength training (and they’re not just for guys!). Using a barbell allows you to practise with heavier weights that you would with dumbbells and also encourages you to use both arms in unison. Exercises like deadlifts are also great for building those leg and butt muscles.

Barbells typically come with a selection of different weights that you can add on.  You can start with light weights and work your way up.

Kettlebell

Kettlebells are another popular form of weight to practise with. Unlike barbells, they direct gravity away from the hands, making them better for swinging exercises that can target different muscle groups. They can similarly be used while doing squats and lunges for a full body workout.

You can buy kettlebells in a variety of different weights. Consider buying a set so that you can experiment with different weights.

Resistance bands

Most strength building equipment improves your ability to push or carry heavy objects, whereas resistance bands help you to pull heavy objects. As with kettlebells, they can help target different muscle groups that you may not exercise with a dumbbell. And they take up less room than almost any other piece of exercise equipment. 

Different bands offer different levels of resistance. You can buy multicoloured sets that allow you to practise with these different levels.

Medicine ball

Medicine balls allow you to incorporate throwing and catching into strength training exercises. Their spherical shape also targets different muscle groups and they can be easier to train with for people with grip issues than other equipment.

Medicine balls are available in different weights and sizes. You can buy sets of medicine balls in different weights.

Squat stands/power racks

Squat stands and power racks are often used with barbell exercises. The two terms are sometimes used interchangeably but are technically different pieces of equipment (as this squat stands vs power racks guide explains). Their main benefit is improving safety while lifting and also improving form. They take up a lot of space, so may not be suitable for home use unless you’ve got a dedicated home gym space.  

Some squat stands and power racks are fairly basic, while others allow a large degree of adjustability so that you can experiment with a range of different exercises. These pieces of kit can be quite expensive, so make sure you’re serious about lifting weights before you invest in one.

Ankle weights

Ankle weights can help to improve leg and core strength when doing various leg exercises (such as leg raises, step ups, lunges or even regular walking). If you want to tone up your legs, glutes and abs, they are a worthwhile piece of kit.

You can buy ankle weights in a variety of different weights. Many come in the form of straps, while others slip on like leg warmers. You can buy good quality ankle weights very affordably.

Yoga mat

A yoga mat is an overlooked but useful piece of equipment when practising strength training. When it comes to many floor exercises like push-ups and crunches, having a mat beneath you can make things more comfortable. Yoga mats are, of course, also essential for practising yoga - which itself is a great form of strength training. Yoga poses predominantly work out the core, but can also strengthen so many other muscles around the body depending on the exercise. 

You can buy yoga mats very cheaply. That said, there are more premium mats out there that offer a greater level of comfort, grip and moisture absorption (useful if you sweat a lot).