Just started your fitness journey but found the gym too intimidating? Don’t worry, you can begin with these equipment as you build up on both your fitness and confidence level. Alternatively, you can also join group exercise classes that are suitable for you. (Read: What Type Of Fitness Classes Are Best For You?)

1. Using your own body weight

No exercise equipment is needed for someone who is just getting started in an exercise program. Simply use your own body weight for exercises that target major muscle groups such as squats, lunges, plank, push up, abs curl and bridges, jumping jacks and burpees. It will definitely improve your overall fitness and can be done in the comforts of your own home as well.

2. Resistance band

As the body weight exercises get easier, you can use a resistance band to increase the intensity of your exercises. This inexpensive workout tool can be brought everywhere, even when you are travelling. It is an elastic band that varies in resistance from light, moderate, to heavy. There are different types available such as flat bands and loop/tubular bands. It provides tension throughout the movement, stimulates the recruitment of more muscle fibers, and is designed to help you build functional strength and body control while maintaining mobility.

P.s. Other than adding resistance to your workout, it can also act as an assistance e.g. assisted pull ups using a suitable resistance band.

3. Dumbbells

Similar to resistance bands, dumbbells are inexpensive, versatile and easy to use that allows you to execute a variety of exercises. Depending on the amount of weight you use, the number of repetitions/sets, and the pace at which you use them, dumbbells can help you improve your muscular fitness by increasing strength and endurance.

4. Skipping rope

Skipping or jumping rope is another versatile, inexpensive and easy to use exercise tool which helps you improve your cardiovascular fitness and promotes strength and endurance. An average 30 mins of skipping can burn as much as 300-350 calories depending on the intensity.

Alternatively,

Our personal training sessions are located in boutique gyms island-wide but are not restricted to gym equipment only. Our personal trainers can travel to your home and also do outdoor training sessions if you prefer. We strongly recommend investing in at least a few sessions to get your basic movements before you move on to heavier weights or higher intensity. Prevention is better than cure; wouldn’t it be better to avoid injuries and pain entirely than regretting it later and spending even more money on rehabilitation? (Read: Do We Really Need Personal Training?)

Need help to start an exercise program? Claim your free body composition measurement now.

This article is written by our rehab trainer, Sarah Caisip, who specialises in rehabilitation, functional training, weight loss, and strength and conditioning. She has a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy and is a certified personal trainer from the American College of Sports Medicine.

Edited by the SgFitFam Team.