20 essentials that every home gym needs

Even if you're not planning on doing a lot of yoga, yoga mats are super versatile in a home gym. Use them for sit-down stretching, a little extra cushion on your hard floors, and of course, for practicing your favorite yoga poses. 

Instead of buying a bunch of heavy dumbbells, consider one set that can be adjusted for weight. It won't take up a ton of room in your space, and you can easily swap between lighter and heavier weights in the midst of a workout. 

If you don't have space for free weights or simply want to add more resistance to your cardio routine, resistance bands are a cheap — and space-saving — way to build your strength. 

Whether you're cycling, jogging on the treadmill, or doing at-home Pilates, you're probably going to break a sweat. Keep a stash of microfiber towels to mop up sweat from your machines when your workout is over, along with a bottle of antimicrobial spray to keep any smell-creating germs at bay. 

Stretching is an essential part of any workout, and a stretching strap (or yoga strap) can make it much easier to get a full-body stretch that will help loosen up your post-workout tight muscles. 

Muscle tension and knots are almost inevitable, it seems, and a foam roller is a great way to work those out. You can also incorporate a foam roller into your workout routine to help build your lower body and core. 

Even those who never do yoga can benefit from yoga blocks, which offer a little extra stability when you're stretching on the floor, and can help those who are new to fitness modify certain exercises and help with stretching. 

Bouncing on an inflated ball sounds like a ton of fun, but it can also be a solid way to work your core and other muscles. Score a stability ball for around $20, then scour YouTube for workouts to maximize your new purchase. 

If you don't have room for a treadmill or a spin bike, there's no better alternative than a jump rope. It's inexpensive, doesn't take up much room, and will definitely get your heart rate up for a solid workout. 

If you work from home or have space in your office, consider investing in a trendy walking pad, which is sort of like a mini-treadmill. You can get your steps in while working, or simply plunk it in front of the TV for more movement in the evenings. 

Workout benches are great for lifting weights, but they take up a ton of space and are often, well, pretty ugly. Opt instead for a folding bench, which you can move out of the way — and use for storage, in some cases — when it's not in use. 

Pull-ups are a great way to build upper body strength, and pull-up bars can easily be installed in a regular doorway for around $100 if your home gym is particularly small. 

Whether you're using dumbbells, free weights, or kettlebells, you're going to want a place to store them. Scour the Facebook marketplace for used weight racks, or utilize other storage, like bins and shelves, to keep your weights organized. 

Fitness gliders — a.k.a. small, slippery little discs intended to engage your lower body and core — have been around for ages, and with good reason. They're a great way to tone up and get in some cardio without buying expensive equipment. 

Thanks to apps like Peloton, Sculpt Society, and so many more, it's easier than ever to take a workout class in your home. Whether you're looking for cycling, running, yoga, or Pilates, there's definitely a program out there for you. And don't forget about YouTube, which is positively replete with free workout videos. 

It might seem a little weird at first, but a mirror is an essential part of a home gym. No, you don't have to stare at yourself all the time, but it's good to watch and ensure that you've got good form as you lift, run, and stretch. 

Kettlebell workouts can be great for cardio and strength training, which means they offer a lot of bang for your buck in the world of workouts. Score a few at different weights, so you can mix up the intensity of your workouts as you keep getting stronger. 

If you have a virtual reality headset, like the Oculus, there are a ton of fitness games that are both affordable and fun. Beat Saber, a game that involves slicing and dicing music notes as they fly your way, is a great way to get started in the world of virtual workouts. 

If you're serious about getting in a good workout, you're going to need a good heart rate monitor. They're pretty inexpensive and can give you a good idea of how effective your cardio and strength training workouts actually are. If you already have an Apple Watch, you can use it as a heart rate monitor, too. 

For those who don't want to invest in a Peloton and already have a bike, a cycling trainer might be a great option. These trainers allow riders to turn their road bikes into a stationary bike so they can work out at home, even when it's raining or cold outside.