What Do You Need to Work Out at Home?
To get started with home workouts, all you really need is a comfortable yoga mat, resistance bands, and perhaps a set of light dumbbells. These essentials allow you to begin strength training, cardio, and flexibility exercises with ease. For an extra challenge, you can later expand your collection to include items like an indoor cycling bike, kettlebells, or even online coaching, depending on your goals and available space.
Home workouts are more popular than ever, and for good reason. No travel time, flexible training, and the ability to sweat on your own terms—what’s not to love? But you might be wondering: what do you really need to work out effectively at home? Don’t worry, we’ll guide you through the essentials, plus a few fun extras to take your home workouts to the next level!
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What Do You Need to Work Out at Home?
To start, you don’t need much. Keep it simple with a comfortable yoga mat for support during exercises like yoga, core work, or stretching. Tip: Choose a yoga mat with extra cushioning—your knees will thank you!
Resistance bands are fantastic for starting strength training. They’re perfect for targeting your muscles effectively without the need for heavy weights. Light dumbbells (ranging from 1 to 5 kg) also provide a great way to gradually build strength.
Curious about fun exercises you can do with these? Check out our blog Exercises to Do at Home. Want more inspiration? Visit Gezondheidsnet.nl for additional ideas.
Cardio or Strength: Which Is Right for You?
If your main goal is improving your fitness and burning calories, cardio is a great option, and indoor cycling is one of the easiest sports to start with at home, thanks to its low impact on your joints. With an indoor cycling bike, you’re ready to go right away. Our personal favourites are, of course, the Fitbikes available through our Bike+ membership, which provide immediate access to a bike that suits you, as well as professional and challenging online classes, all from the comfort of your living room or bedroom.
If you’re focused on building muscle strength, dumbbells, kettlebells, and resistance bands are excellent choices.
Also, be sure to check out our blog The Best Workout Plan for Home to help you optimise your training.
Working Out with Equipment: Smart Investments
If you’re serious about investing in your home workouts, consider getting adjustable dumbbells or kettlebells. These allow for more intense, efficient training without taking up much space. An indoor cycling bike, as mentioned earlier, offers intense cardio workouts and will challenge you to push yourself further.
Tip: You can find kettlebells in our shop, but they’re also available at great prices at Decathlon.
Training on Your Own or with Online Coaching: What Works Best at Home?
Unsure whether to train on your own or with online coaching? Online coaching offers a variety of benefits, such as structured workouts where you don’t need to think about which exercises are suitable. Following online workouts helps ensure you perform exercises correctly, even when you’re working out by yourself.
What Do You Really Need to work out at Home?
Start simple and build up gradually. Equipment can help, but the most important thing is consistent and enjoyable movement. Ready to get started? Check out our blogs like Getting Started with Home Workouts: Tips for Beginners and The Best Ways to Work Out at Home in 2025.
Extra Gear to Make Your Home Training Even More Fun
Want to make your workouts even more enjoyable? Consider adding music through a Bluetooth speaker or using a smart TV or tablet to stream your favourite CycleMasters workouts (or other training videos, of course 😉). A fan can also be a small investment that makes a big difference in comfort during intense sessions.
Have doubts or need personal advice on which equipment suits your goals? Our CycleMasters team is here to help via chat!
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Workouts
Do I need expensive equipment to work out at home?
No, absolutely not! With just a yoga mat, resistance bands, and light dumbbells, you can get a fantastic workout. As your goals evolve, you can always add to your setup later.
How often should I work out at home for results?
Depending on your goal, we recommend 2-4 times per week. Consistency and regularity are more important than the length of each session.
Can I combine strength training and cardio?
Absolutely, this is actually an excellent combination for building both cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength. Alternate between strength training and cardio for the best results.
Where can I find exercises for my home training?
Check out our blog Exercises to Do at Home for inspiration, or join the workouts through the Bike+ membership from CycleMasters for guidance from online coaches, whenever it suits you.
Is an indoor cycling bike suitable for beginners?
Yes, definitely! With the CycleMasters Bike+ membership, you’ll have access to classes at all levels, making it perfect for both beginners and more experienced cyclist.
