Fitness with equipment: workout aids we can’t do without

ou see others using them to their full potential at the gym but don’t really know much about them. They’re alien, confusing, and you’re worried you’ll probably pull something using them. Ah, workout tools. 

There’s no need to shy away from fitness with equipment - beginners can get started right away. And with regular use, you’ll improve your strength, weight, stamina and tone, as well as making positive changes towards your overall health and confidence. Pop these top fitness aids on your must-workout-with-next list:

Fitness with equipment 

Sandbells

Never heard of them you say? Well, that’s because you’ve not yet tried our 15-minute Functional Xpress class. Sandbells are hybrids of sandbags, kettlebells, medicine balls and dumbbells. Basically, they’re a weighted piece of equipment that engages your muscles while you workout. The outer core is made of a tough, stretchy fabric which enables you to grip easily. Unlike some dumbbells and medicine balls, the Sandbell is purposefully engineered for handling easy and to build muscle tone, increase stamina and strengthen your core. They’re available in various weights and sizes to suit all body types.

The Bosu ball

Think of a small, shallow exercise ball chopped in half with a lid on top: that’s a Bosu ball. This creative crescent is around the size of a wok and is a marvel for full-body workouts. It’s ideal for stretching and flexing as well as testing your core strength. Use it for routines lying face down, facing up or even standing. If you fancy a go at the latter, try standing on the ball and concentrate on stabilising yourself. This improves your posture and core. From squats to sit-ups, this workout tool will push your body in ways you’ve never experienced. 

Ankle Weights

Ankle weights are already adorned by many fitness enthusiasts around the world for various workouts, including aerobics and resistance training. They do exactly what it says on the label: they weigh you down by your ankles to improve stamina, strength and muscle tone. Theses fabric ankle weights weigh anywhere from one to 10 pounds (depending on your specification) and are secured by a buckle. Be mindful that they should never be used for running - this activity already puts stress on the joints and added weight could cause injury. In MIB however, they are the perfect add on.

Mats

If you want to practice fitness with equipment and avoid slipping or injuring yourself, a mat can be vital. Without a mat, a yogi would slip like an eel and fall like a tree (not the yoga positions we were going for). Mats are excellent at softening the impact where otherwise we would be exercising directly onto hard floors. Exercise mats, yoga mats, whatever-mat; they all matter. We couldn’t do without them.

Kettlebell and Dumbbells

Dynamite for enhancing muscle tone and increasing stamina, these vinyl-coated hand weights are available in various weights and sizes, making them suitable for males and females alike. You can incorporate kettlebells or dumbbells into your daily workout, circuit training and cardio regimes easily. Try being creative while integrating these weights into your sets: moves such as the dumbbell skier are fat-torching gold. To do it, hold a pair of dumbbells at your sides with your feet hip-distance apart. Then, push your hips back with your weight behind you and extend your arms away from your body. In the movement of a skier, thrust your hips forward while carefully bringing the dumbbells back to shoulder-height. And repeat. Hold the kettlebell with both hands on the handle with knees comfortably bent and legs set apart. Steady lift your straight arms upwards above your head. Exhale as you descend and repeat.

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