5 Fitness Toys You Need This Year

Meet guest blogger, Annie Slayton. She’s a mom of four – kids ages four, three, 18 months and 3 months. She’s also a fitness fanatic who recently left the corporate world. She asked if she could share some of her favorite fitness equipment that you should be asking for this holiday season. Of course, I said yes . . . mostly because I wanted to see if there was anything on the list I needed. LOL But seriously, if you’re looking to step up your at-home fitness game this year, read on . . . take it away, Annie!

I have four kids, all four and under, so finding time to go to the gym is simply not realistic most days. Instead, I created a small workout room in our basement as an effort to create a dedicated space to focus and get my workouts done during the day. By investing a small amount of money, you too can set yourself up with some great home gym. Plus, maybe we can convince Sara to create some workout challenges with the equipment:? Check out some of my favorite equipment below for resistance training and toning and let me know in the comments if you have any favorites I forgot to put on my list!

1. TRX Trainer Kit

The TRX is probably the most expensive toy I have on the list, but it’s so worth it. You can tighten, tone and sculpt your body anywhere with a very short time commitment. The strap goes over a door, so it’s great for travel too. I love suspension training and truly think it’s the most effective workout for your core strength.

It’s also a great tool to use during pregnancy to assist with your balance. Check out Sara on the TRX here (when she was pregnant with Liam) busting out some single leg squats.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BB5siFVmB62/?taken-by=sarahaleyfit

2. Medicine Ball

Medicine balls are a great way to mix things up. It can make traditional exercises more challenging and functional just due to its shape and size. For instance, holding a medicine ball while you squat is much more similar to holding a baby while you squat than free weights would be. Swings, chest presses, rotational chops, and behind the head slams are some of my favorites.

Here is Sara using a medicine ball as part of one of her favorite warm-ups here:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcGThFflgRf/?taken-by=sarahaleyfit

3. Hand Weights

Hand weights, or dumbbells, are a no-brainer to me in terms of having home workout equipment. If you want some great exercises to do with hand weights I recommend signing up for Sara’s FREE Upper Body Blast Challenge.

Here’s a peek at one of Sara’s favorites from her FREE Upper Body Blast Challenge:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZhagigF0Sq/?taken-by=sarahaleyfit

4. Stability Ball

Stability balls are so fun, but moreover, they help you strengthen your core muscles, work on your balance,improve your flexibility, and are also great for pregnancy! You can even use them when sitting at your computer. Plus, your kids will love them.

See below as Sara demonstrates some serious core training with the assistance of a stability ball. Don’t worry – this is an exercise you would work up to over time.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYy57pTnvg7/?taken-by=sarahaleyfit

5. Resistance Bands

Resistance bands are another easy addition to home fitness equipment. They are cheap, give you a total body workout, and barely take up any space. Sara loves the mini ones and if you go HERE you can join her private Facebook Group where she shares some FREE workouts with the bands.

They are great for pregnancy too, as demonstrated by Sara here:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUCRLg4l5-i/?taken-by=sarahaleyfit

Annie is a mom of four kids who is now focused on her passion for health and fitness after 14 years in corporate America! Besides chasing around her littles, she loves to run, exercise, cook and be outdoors. She is currently pursuing her NASM Personal Training Certification and lives in Elmhurst, IL.