GROW STRONG

In many ways, September is the less stressful and less intense version of January for setting new goals, especially when it comes to fitness.

So if you’re still holding off on that resolution to finally get into shape or you’re feeling motivated thanks to the new season, there’s some great equipment out there to make working out all the less daunting. From traditional heavy lifting to HIIT workouts to full-on indoor cardio rigs or relaxing yoga, there's something out there for every type of training imaginable. Keep scrolling for the best fitness essentials.

FOR TRADITIONAL HEAVY LIFTING

Perfect for lunges, squats, pushes and pull, the executive KWELL-Bag is a weighted bag filled with sand that is specifically designed for a multitude of workouts. With a soft and comfortable structure and equal distribution of the internal weight, lifting weights has never been easier or more convenient.

FOR HIIT WORKOUTS

If you're short on space and budget when it comes to an at-home gym set up, investing in a set of resistance bands is a smart choice. They are a great option for HIIT training workouts thanks to the challenge they provide your muscles. Bonus, they can also be used for an entire full-body workout. This set of five from Bala are a great choice as they are made from natural, durable latex and come in five increasingly resistant pulls.

FOR HYDRATING

Hydration is perhaps one of the most overlooked keys to health and fitness. When you’re properly hydrated, your energy levels are up, mental clarity is boosted, and your body is primed for exercise. One step to ensure you’re not overlooking hydration is to get a water bottle that makes you more inclined to sip frequently throughout the day. Take this reusable bottle from LARQ as a prime example. Designed for outdoor adventures, gym sessions, or whatever moves you, it actively self-cleans and purifies water in a lightweight single-walled stainless steel bottle. What’s more, it uses UV-C LED light to eliminate up to 99.9999% of E.coli from your water and bottle.

FOR INDOOR CARDIO

If cardio training is more your bag, look no further than Echelon. With a wide range of cardio machinery to help you get into or stay in shape, it can be hard to select which machine to buy. Our favourite? The EX3 Max. Featuring over 30 resistance levels that you can turn up using the centre knob, this is a fitness bike built for everyone. The ergonomic handles allow for a number of riding styles, whether you want to get down in the saddle and accelerate, or do some push-ups while you sprint. What’s more, if you download the Echelon Fit app, you’ll be able to access a ton of live classes and workouts to get you through the week, whether you want to take a cycling class or do some yoga.

FOR MUSCLE RELIEF

No matter how well you stretch, it’s inevitable to feel some muscle aches after a workout. Rather than suffer in silence, Therabody is here to help ease that pain. Whether you’d like to improve range of motion pre-workout or recover faster afterwards, the Theragun uses percussive motion to stimulate muscles, enhance blood flow and even soften knots.

FOR RELAXING YOGA

Yoga is about building both physical and mental strength. But to achieve that elusive meditative state and hone your muscles, you need a reliable foundation or, in other words, a brilliant yoga mat. Cue Yoga Design Lab. This kaleidoscope yoga mat is made using 3.55mm of natural tree rubber and bonded to an ultra-absorbent microfiber towel layer meaning you no longer need a separate mat and towel to hand.

FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE

If you’re a fitness fanatic that loves to dapple in different exercise styles, you’re going to love the TriaTrainer. A multi-functional workout bench, this trainer can be folded into three different positions to allow for a range of exercises: in the closed position work out your abdominal and core muscles; work your back muscles and glutes on the semi-bench; or at full-extension, bench workouts (with or without free weights) can be done. What’s more, when not in use for your workout, the TriaTrainer can easily be stored away, or even used as a stool.

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