What you might need to get started on the monthly membership sessions:
You can do much of the workouts without any equipment but to make things stronger in each exercise you would benefit from some resistance.
Investing in a home gym is very worthwhile, you’re not buying any fad equipment that you’ll lose interest in soon so it gathers dust in the corner. Instead you’ll be getting a few simple pieces that will last you a lifetime of movement.
Here are the pieces I recommend:
Mini Bands - I love these circle bands, they are so useful for all sorts of exercises but especially glute exercises. Simple to pack away, use on holiday and don’t attract too much kid attention when they’re lying around: https://amzn.to/2oolmgE
Long Resistance Bands - you can either use these or the ones below with a handle on each end, they both do the same job and are used in the same way so it just depends what you prefer. You need to be able to wrap these around a door knob, table leg, banister or similar: https://amzn.to/2IyU7H3
Resistance Band with Handles - as you can see this set of resistance bands has more going on than the one above with a variety of strengths, the handles and a door stop. Get whichever you’d prefer, they will do the same job pretty much the same way: https://amzn.to/2oZAAcb
Foam Roller - this is a great optional extra. I love using the roller to massage out spots of muscles that feel tight or sore, especially after a long drive or periods of sitting at a desk, or when muscles are just needing some working out. I’ll occasionally give some suggestions for great beneficial rolling for improving posture, helping to encourage muscles to let go so that we can work them in the correct alignment. There are two types of foam roller - the longer 90 cm ones mean you can lie on them on your back allowing you to enjoy some chest opening and stretching as well as using them for rolling muscles, however they are of course harder to store inconspicuously. The shorter 30 cm ones are used only for rolling out muscles but are easier to store in smaller spaces so it depends what you need and want to get out of it:
Long: https://amzn.to/2rydo6j
Short: https://amzn.to/2YAzHo1
Massage Ball - the massage ball is a brilliant way to get some awesome deep massage on your feet, calves, glute muscles and shoulders in an easy and pocket sized way. I encourage clients to roll their feet on the ball to wake them up after a day in leather or heeled shoes when your feet work less or also if they have knee, hip or back pain - start with the feet and work up. You can also use the massage ball in other areas of the body to relieve tension and as with the foam roller I’ll give you ideas of how to use these as we go on: https://amzn.to/34apIqK
Yoga/Pilates Mat - although not essential at all and you can totally do all the workouts on a carpeted floor and even most on a hard floor, you might like to get a mat anyway. There is something about rolling your mat out and knowing that this is your place, your little rectangle of space where you honour your commitment to get stronger by showing up day after day. If you’ve got a ratty old mat that you’ve had kicking about for years, maybe now is the time to show yourself some love by buying a beautiful one for your practice: https://amzn.to/2RGiUym
This one I’ve recommended is double the thickness of the standard yoga mat type, this is because you do a bit more hands and knees, kneeling and lying on your back work here so you might like some extra cushioning.
Yoga Block - this is useful just for having the right size and weight item to grab when you need it. You can get away with using a cushion for the same exercise, however having the right thing just makes life a bit easier.
but they are heavier so you can also do well with these foam ones from Decathlon:
Kettlebells or Dumbbells - here’s the thing, we all need to do more resistance work so getting some weights is important. I know not everybody wants to get weights and certainly doesn’t want to get a full rack of them, but if you can buy or find a few on Facebook marketplace/your local Lidl you’ll be pleased you did as they will definitely last you.
Here is the dumbbell selection from Decathlon
and this is the kettlebell link for them
If you’re a total beginner and haven’t really lifted weights before, you will want a pair of dumbbells around 4-5kgs, along with an 8kg and 12kg kettlebell.
If you have lifted some weights before and feel you can work OK with them, I’d suggest a pair of dumbbells around 8-10kgs, along with a 12kg and 20kg kettlebell
If you’re more advanced you may have enough weights already at home, but you’re looking for a pair of 10-15kg dumbbells and a 16kg and 20kg kettlebell.
If you want to expand what you already have, I’d suggest a pair of dumbbells in the lighter range and another pair in the heavier end of your experience level - so if you’re an intermediate you might want a pair of 6kgs and 10 kgs plus the 2 kettlebells.
Suspension Trainer - this is one of the most versatile bits of equipment you can get, not only because of what movements you can do with it, but also because you can attach bands etc to it to have more options on the height you tether them to for resistance.
Again I go to Decathlon for a good simple and cheap one here.
Foot Wedges - again this is one of those pieces that you can definitely do without if you have a sturdy book that could work, however having an actual wedge shape under your feet gives you more support options and an easy thing to grab when you need it.