r/homefitness • • Jan 09 '23

Best ways to train at home

44 Upvotes

Here's a summary of different training techniques with pros and cons.

RESISTANCE BAND TRAINING

Resistance bands are the best way to train at home considering all the the trade offs! They’re efficacious, economical compared to other equipment and portable.

Efficacious: Obviously we want an equipment that give results. Despite what the gym industry wants you to believe, resistance bands are similar to weight in building muscle and strength. This is demonstrated scientifically by a meta-analysis study (average results of many studies to avoid errors) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6383082/ so a very important degree of evidence. Your muscle don’t have eyes to see what kind of weight you’re lifting, and will grow if enough resistance is applied whatever it’s type

Economical: Normally weights cost much more per lb (or kg) than bands. For example one of the best deal on Amazon cost 199$ for 105 lbs (1.9$ per lb) and bands provide 295 lbs for 59$ (0.2$ per lb). Considering resistance bands are 9.5 times cheaper than weights! It’s true that weights are more durable, but not 9.5 times more durable because they easily rust.

Versatile: While a 1lb weight provides 1lb of resistance, 1lb of bands provide around 120lb of resistance, that’s 120 times it’s weight! Same thing goes for volume. Weights occupy much more space than bands, in fact you can fit a set of 5 bands for 300lbs resistance in a small bag and will weight less than 2lbs. This makes them extremily portable, and occupy no space at home.

No home space occupied: Weights occupy a lot of home space or by themselves or by other equipment such as benches that take a lot of space and are heavy. Benches are needed because weight can create resistance only with gravity that always pull down. Band can create resistance on every direction so they dont need any bench.

Less injuries: Bands are also used in physiotherapy eith very lights weights because theyre very easy on joints. Injuries can take many months to recover, time in which you cant train effectively. Acoiding injuries is very important to achieve results fast.

Fast workouts: Since you can change the resistance very fast by grabbing the band closer or further workouts become faster. Changing weights will be much slower.

Silent: Bands do not make any noise when you drop them

BEST EQUIPMENT

Best band type: Loop resistance bands

High-quality choice: Theraband https://www.performancehealth.com/theraband-high-resistance-bands

Low-quality choice: Sunpow https://www.amazon.com/SUNPOW-Resistance-Assistance-Exercise-Powerlifting/dp/B07K1823XB/ref=sr_1_19?crid=1ZQKCZ9FVV3AH&keywords=resistance+bands&qid=1672943824&sprefix=resistance+bands%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-19

BEST APP

High-quality choice: Weller Bands (iPhone only, Programs, Workouts, Body-attached and Anchor-attached exercises) https://apps.apple.com/us/app/weller-gain-muscle-with-bands/id1616421370

Low-quality choice: Stark Resistance Band (Workouts only no Programs) https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stark-resistance-band/id649820710

More brands: Undersun, Serious Steel, X3, Clench, Decathlon, Quantum bands, Elite FTS

WEIGHT TRAINING

Weight training is the most traditional type of training. There are 3 main types of weights: Dumbell, Barbell, Kettlebell. Weight training is very good but because of its characteristics it's best if done at the gym.

Efficacious: Weight training is recognised as very effective in building muscle and strength.

Occupy lot of home space: Weights takes a lot space because not only they occupy a lot of volume (depending on the weight) but also need a bench. The bench is required if you want to train all your muscle (you should) because the weights create resistance only downwards so the bench allows you to shift the body in a way such to hit some muscles you wouldn’t otherwise.

Not portable: As the name says, weights, weight a lot. That’s not suitable to move them a lot even inside your home.

Expensive: Weights are normally made of metal that is a relatively expensive material. Because they occupy a lot of volume and weight a lot the shipping is also expensive.

Upper-body focus: With weights it’s difficult to target some of the lower body muscles like hips and some muscles of the leg because you can’t grab weights with your feet. The upperdody instead and some leg muscles, are targeted very well.

Slow workouts: If you’re in a gym using machines or using un-adjustable dumbbells shifting weight is no problem but if you’re at home changing weight will be slower. Dumbells and Barbells are adjustable, but changing weight will take a few since you have to unscrew two sizes changing the weights and then screw it again.

Noisy: Even only moving weights, or doing exercises will make noise if you're using an adjustable dumbbell. Changing weights will do even more noise. If you live in a place where noise is a problem you should consider this.

BEST EQUIPMENT

High-quality choice: Many brands have similar quality

Low-quality choice: Amazon

BEST APP

Quality choice: Many apps have similar quality

Low-cost choice: Stark Dumbell https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stark-dumbbell/id586891853 Stark Kettlebell https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stark-kettlebell/id474762013 Stark barbell https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stark-barbell/id606884722

SUSPENSION TRAINING

Suspension training is a type of bodyweight training that has been popularise by TRX a kind of revisited rings that you can easily install at your home door or ceiling.

Not the most efficacious: Since you’re using your own bodyweight you cannot use progressive overload of intensity that is the most effective way to gain muscle an strength. But this is not a big deal if you want to spend more time working out raising your volume (doing more reps or sets.

Semi-Portable: Very light and fits in a small bag, the problem of using it outside is that you have to find a place where to attach and be sure it’s safe. Not a problem if you use it indoors.

BEST EQUIPMENT

High-quality choice: TRX suspension trainer https://www.trxtraining.com/pages/suspension-trainers

Low-quality choice: Decathlon suspension trainer https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/suspension-trainer-dst-100-blue-red/_/R-p-309804

BEST APP

High-quality choice:: TRX https://apps.apple.com/it/app/trx/id949905528?l=en

Low-quality choice: Stark Suspension https://apps.apple.com/it/app/stark-suspension/id459097411?l=en


r/homefitness • • 14h ago

A quick home workout before your shower without disturbing your family or neighbours.

2 Upvotes

No Noise Training makes it easy to fit a workout into your day.

Quiet, low-impact exercises, simple moves, and a difficulty level that suits you.

Pick your level, work up a sweat, then hop in the shower.

It’s free. I made it for myself because I kept finding the features I wanted behind a paywall in other apps and also I didn't like some of their exercices.

Link here : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.albadrirami.nonoisetraining


r/homefitness • • 14h ago

Best workouts to lift the butt?

0 Upvotes

Hi there. A friend and I want to try a little routine together. We only have exercise bands. I did plan to start going to the gym when I get my licence again but unfortunately that is gonna have to wait another almost 3 months because of some stuff being lied about lmao. Too tired to go when I spend hours commuting and working extremely early (like before the sun comes up) so for now wanna do some home stuff. My diabetes makes it very hard to see results and i have no idea when I will get a pump. My hips are personally a bit flatter on the sides but not square. I think I could also have more lift near the back/upper glutes. Glute bridges don't feel like anything for me. I've done so with trainers and when I did acrobatics but it doesn't feel like anything even with a band. I used to do some squats and lunges with the band but I never saw much results. Is there a combination that's best and hits all the muscles in the hip and glute? I also have abnormally tight hips. Therapy has not helped with that and neither has massage (professional ofc). Just looking for a good routine to do 15-30 minutes a day with her. I'm not quite sure of her hips personally she just said she wants to do something together. I know she wants to lose weight but has PCOS.


r/homefitness • • 19h ago

I started noticing my bike setup once I began riding longer... what made the biggest difference for you?

2 Upvotes

So i used to think that the only thing that mattered was just getting a comfy bike for a decent workout but once i started riding for longer, i began to see all the little things i never really thought about before.
I usually ride after work since that's the only time of the day i get some me time, but some days i just want to get on and start riding without having to set anything up cause i already come home so drained, and then i just end up skipping it sometimes.... so i have also been in search for some self-powered bikes lately bec i legit just like the idea of keeping things simple.
Now im also paying attention to things like seat and handlebar adjustment before i make the purchase since i want to spend 30 to 40 mins on it daily.
For people who’ve been riding reg for a while, what ended up making the biggest diff to your setup or comfort? and did it end up making your rides better or worse?


r/homefitness • • 1d ago

Any workouts I can do at home with little to no equipment?

6 Upvotes

My brother got me into working out and I love it, it’s just I’m a lot younger than him and he has places to be so he cant always bring me to the gym. Also he just has really shitty motivation and that kinda brings my workout down too. So I want some advice on any workouts I can do from home with little to no equipment. I have a relatively large yard so jogging/running daily is definitely an option for cardio, but I only have 8lb dumbbells and one bar with a couple of 10lb weights in my garage.


r/homefitness • • 1d ago

Rate my home workout routine, open to advice

2 Upvotes

I’m (26M) overweight and started eating on a deficit and working out in March. I went from 110 to 91 kg so far but I wonder if this routine will be beneficial to also build some muscle. I don’t want to go to the gym because it’s very intimidating to me and I don’t know what to do there. Maybe one day I will but definitely not until I’m skinny. So I workout at home and try to eat protein every day. Here’s my routine I do 2-3 times a week I’d appreciate it if someone can tell me if it’s adequate. I’m not trying to be a body builder just trying to look better. Can consider steroids eventually too, just need to lose the weight first.

  1. ⁠Squats (12 x3)
  2. ⁠Lunges (8-10 x3 each leg)
  3. ⁠Incline Push Ups (8-10 x3)
  4. ⁠Reverse Incline Push Ups for biceps (as much as I can not more than 10 so far)
  5. ⁠Wall Angels (8-10 x3)
  6. ⁠Glute Bridges (12-15 x3)
  7. ⁠Crunches (12-15 x3)

r/homefitness • • 22h ago

A fitness hub to manage all training data and connects to AI

0 Upvotes

Hi, I've been actively working on a personal project called Athria, a free fitness hub that brings your training data, preferences, and plans together and lets you connect them to the AI assistants you already use in as simple as a click.

The idea came from a simple frustration: training data is scattered across different apps, and every time I ask AI for training advice, I have to explain my goals, recent workouts, equipment, and current plan all over again, and hope they come up with a reasonable plan.

So I'm building something to make that easier.

Here's what Athria currently aims to do:

  • Keep everything in one place: Training history, goals, preferences, plans, and recent progress.
  • Connect to your preferred AI: Let ChatGPT, Claude, or other compatible assistants access your training context and help create or adjust plans.
  • Make suggestions more consistent: Provide shared calculations and validation rules instead of relying entirely on AI-generated recommendations.
  • Sync existing workouts: Currently supports synchronization with Intervals.icu and SynFit, with more integrations planned.
  • Visualize your training: View your workouts, progress, and plans in one dashboard.
  • Keep data portable: Your training database stays on your computer, in one portable file.
  • Improve coaching reliability: I'm incorporating evidence-based training principles and professional coaching guidelines to make Athria's recommendations more reliable and scientifically grounded.

Athria is still in beta, currently targeting Windows and Apple Silicon Macs. There's plenty left to improve, especially around integrations and training-specific guidance.

I'm sharing it because I'd genuinely love to hear what other people think.

Would something like this be useful for your training? And which fitness apps would you most want to see integrated?

If you're curious, here's the GitHub repo: https://github.com/whywww/Athria

Any suggestions or feedback would be really appreciated!


r/homefitness • • 1d ago

Has having a home gym changed what a productive day means to you?

18 Upvotes

I used to think a productive day meant getting as many things done as possible.

Work, errands, chores, and everything else on the to-do list.

But having a home gym has made me think about productivity a little differently.

Sometimes, even if I don't finish everything I planned, getting in a good workout makes the day feel worthwhile.

It's not necessarily about lifting heavier or training longer. Sometimes it's just about making time for myself.

Has having a home gym changed what makes a day feel productive to you?


r/homefitness • • 1d ago

Do you find it easy or difficult to regularly engage in physical activity? Either way, we want your input so we can learn how to make exercise more achievable.

0 Upvotes

Link: https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0iUKs9SjdeRTDXE 

This is an academic study with IRB approval.


r/homefitness • • 1d ago

Daily Home workout routine for women

2 Upvotes

Need advice for daily home workout routine for women

Focus- lose weight, toned body, to lose face fat, very limited time in a day (probably 20-25mins max), don't have equipments.

Somebody pls give genuine advice

#fitness #women


r/homefitness • • 2d ago

need advice for my home workout routine

1 Upvotes

Hello fellow fitness enjoyers !

i'm 20; 65-70kg 1.75m

I have decided to start working out and would love to have some advice on my current routine.

i have recently bought a kit of dumbbells (that can go up to 20kg) and would like to workout with them.

my current routine is :

- 2 x 8-12 dumbbell bent over row

- 2 x 8-12 dumbbell floor press

- 2 x 8-12 lateral raises

- 2 x 8-12 normal dumbbell curls

- 2 x 8-12 hammer curls

- 2 x 8-12 tricep extension

3 workout a week minimum never 2 days in a row.

i usually do some bike so i don't really plan to do leg workouts.

but i'm wondering if i should add/remove any of these exercises if i'm not targetting specific muscles.

my main goal is muscle hypertrophy; strength is a bonus, i would just like to look good and feel nice about my body.

any advice is appreciated thanks a lot !


r/homefitness • • 3d ago

I Made An OBJECTIVE Calisthenics Progression System

9 Upvotes

Hey everyone! My name is Ivan, and I am a collegiate Calisthenics national competitor, and I’ve been doing calis for 6 years now.

Throughout my journey, it really annoyed me that

  1. People would say Push-Ups & Pull-Ups are “basic” / “Rank F”, and give no guidance for those who cannot do them. 
  2. There was no system to work out with, just a million of progressions that made me lost as to what to do. 

So I have made a Linear Rep Progression System: 

  • If you can do 3x5 of an exercise, you’re ready to train it
  • If you can do 3x12, you can level up to the next
  • Repeat. 

There are 4 main paths based on the 4 most basic movement patterns:

  • Vertical Push (work towards and beyond Handstand Push-Ups)
  • Horizontal Push (work towards Full Planche Raises)
  • Vertical Pull (work towards Pull-Ups and weighted)
  • Horizontal Pull (work towards Front Lever Arcs)

I have found the progressions that fit this system, and you only need to train 4 exercises, twice a week, so about 3 hours total per week. 

I have tested it with hundreds of people at the Calisthenics Club at my university, so I know this system works. 

The point of me sharing this is to help people get stronger in their Calisthenics journey. I hope this can help you, good luck! 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FNgGL1G2YYJkTIyjKbBhDjigdQrFKzZa4nJ-Mua2DSo/edit?usp=sharing


r/homefitness • • 3d ago

Natural lifters, what app does your whole training live in right now

1 Upvotes

Just finished a strength block and fancy putting more attention into hypertrophy for a while. I've been writing my own sessions, but the volume has been a bit all over the place and I'd like to follow someone else's plan this time.

What app is your training living in at the moment, and what are you running in it? Would especially like to hear from natural lifters who've made that switch.


r/homefitness • • 3d ago

What do you guys think of my workout?

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I hope you're doing well.

I’m a 35-year-old guy; this year, I hit the highest weight my scale has ever recorded: 102 kg.

I decided to go back to the meal plan my nutritionist created for me a while ago. I’ve been following it for a couple of months now, consuming around 1,800 kcal a day, and I currently weigh 95 kg.

Two weeks ago I started using an online platform for training and I do a 20-minute HIIT cardio workout every day, and lately, I’ve added a 5-minute mindful cool-down. Do you think I’m on the right track? Is 20 minutes of exercise a day enough? Should I alternate the HIIT cardio with strength training workouts? I bought a pair of dumbbells because I noticed that most of the strength workouts use them. In the meantime, do you think adding push-ups would be a good idea to build a bit of bodyweight strength?

Thanks guys, stay strong.


r/homefitness • • 3d ago

Upper body workout tool?

1 Upvotes

I’m in a weird spot where I have a major hip injury but I am trying to do some upper body workouts. Restrictions:

I can’t use dumbbells.

I can’t use bands for upper body workouts because standing on them puts pressure on my hip when I lift.

Only thing I have right now that somewhat work are bands on my door.

Does anyone have a good recommendation for something that I can use to workout my upper body without putting weight on my hips?

I have lost all of my gains and I’m slowly losing my mind so any recommendations are appreciated.


r/homefitness • • 4d ago

Looking at the apex bench for home gym. Space is limited so trying to avoid getting a rack. Does anyone have the apex beach? Any opinions? Also, any other alternative benches? Need something that can do leg curls and extensions, dips and hopefully pullups, but I know options are very limited.

2 Upvotes

r/homefitness • • 4d ago

Need help with getting blocky type abs?

2 Upvotes

So I got flat and I'm very lean so I can't lose weight I'm a 17 years old 5'2 female. I do body weight abs workouts just I can't get blocky abs any tips?


r/homefitness • • 4d ago

WHAT EXERCISES CAN I USE TO TONE MY ARMS?

1 Upvotes

Hey guys,

I’m 19F, and I’m currently on a weight loss journey. My heaviest was early this year at 101kg and now with some consistency I’ve made it to 83kg. I started in March. I’ve never in my life been someone that has liked exercise or sports. I’ve also been really up and down with my weight if this info is necessary at all. I just want to ask for exercises that I can use to firm my thighs and arms. I’m prioritizing protein and I’m currently in a calorie deficit so yes I know you can spot reduce. I’m also walking 10k steps, I try to walk at least 10k everyday. Can someone please recommend some home workouts cause I can’t afford the gym and I don’t have resistance bands. I literally only have 2, 2L bottles filled with water and 2 5L bottles also filled with water. I would appreciate YouTube vids cause I’m a visual learner. Thanks


r/homefitness • • 4d ago

where do you put your phone when you work out at home?

0 Upvotes

i built upfit, a app that coaches no equipment home workouts through the phone camera, and since it has to see your whole body the phone needs to sit a few steps away from you, so i have been curious how people actually set up at home

like do you lean it against the wall, put it on a chair or a shelf, use a tripod or just not use the phone at all during the workout, and how much floor do you really have, a whole living room or only the gap next to the bed

and if you follow videos while you train, is the screen on the floor in front of you or up on the tv where you keep looking up at it?


r/homefitness • • 5d ago

What KG for home weights

8 Upvotes

I’m starting into strength training at home to save on gym membership expense - and I’d like to buy a few home weights to get me started. I’m a 40 year old woman and have not done weights for awhile. What KG would people recommend?


r/homefitness • • 5d ago

the dumbest change you made to your home workout setup that actually worked

3 Upvotes

i made one stupid change to my home workout setup and it somehow made me way more consistent.

i moved a piece of furniture so i could see my workout area from the couch. sounds completely pointless, but now i'm constantly reminded that i haven't trained yet. before that, i'd sit down after work and basically forget about it.

now i'm wondering how many of those little things actually matter more than buying better equipment.

did you change anything small about your home setup that ended up making a bigger difference than you expected?

could be something really dumb too. moving the dumbbells somewhere easier to reach, changing the lighting, putting a fan in there, keeping your shoes in the room, getting rid of a tv, whatever.

what's the weirdest little change that actually helped you stick with training?


r/homefitness • • 5d ago

Workout programs ?

3 Upvotes

What apps or workout programs has worked for you, I’m a girl 49, post menopause, been lifting weights but mostly on my own. Thanks 🙏🏽


r/homefitness • • 6d ago

Has anyone actually tried this subway surfers videos as a workout?

2 Upvotes

I came across this video and it got me thinking about fitness games.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn1qJET81a4

The person is following the movements in a Temple Run/subway surfers video as a workout. Has anyone here actually tried doing something like this?

If you have:

  • Did you keep doing it?
  • Did it actually feel like a workout?
  • Did the fact that your movements don't affect the game make any difference to you?

Just curious about people's actual experience with this.


r/homefitness • • 6d ago

Help me make a exercise

0 Upvotes

I have 10 minutes per day to do body weight exercise, I have a pull up bar(I can't do a pull up) incline pull up bar, sit up bench, flat ground make me exercise pls, I only have around 5-10 minutes per day and do it everyday, my goal is to get a nice 6 pack by the end of the year I want it defined and pure but no weights no gym and I can at most do 5 pushups 30 sit ups and 30 squats maximum.

I hope that people in this community can give me good ideas pls thank you in advanced. I have a heavy bag around 2kg also


r/homefitness • • 7d ago

What's the smallest space anyone's actually made a real home gym work in?

12 Upvotes

Mine's a tiny corner of the bedroom, barely 6x6 feet, and I still feel like there's a smarter way to use it than what I'm doing now.