Let’s be real: We love a bodyweight class. You don’t need anything special to show up—and you can conveniently do the workout anywhere (yes, even in an NYC hotel room). But if you’re only ever doing bodyweight classes, you’re missing out on a chance to level up your results with exercise equipment—and have a lot of fun.
There’s an important reason you should diversify your fitness gear, and it has everything to do with your fitness goals. You’ve probably heard that doing the same exercise routine over and over again will eventually plateau your progress (surprise, our bodies are pro at adapting to repetitive motions). The same goes for the gear you’re using (or not using): Variety is the spice of any good workout.
Playing with new exercise equipment can wake up muscles you didn’t know you had, cure boredom (dare you to frown jumping around on a mini-trampoline), prevent overuse injuries, help build strength, and boost your self-confidence.
Don’t know where to start? Here are six pieces of fun, versatile workout equipment you should try at home, in your fitness studio, or gym. Bonus points: You can use our obé class filters to find tons of workout options for each of them.
1. Pilates Ring
The Pilates Ring (created by Joseph Pilates himself), also known as a “magic circle,” is a circular piece of exercise equipment designed to add resistance to your Pilates practice. One thing it’s built for? Leaving you sore in all those hard-to-reach places. Even a little pulse or push will fire up your muscles and challenge your stability.
Good for: Activating and strengthening inner plus outer thighs, arms, and chest. It will also test your core in brand-new ways, build flexibility, and improve posture.
Try it if: You want to add extra oomph to leg circles, inner thigh squeezes, and arm presses.
Start with these classes: A 10-minute Magic Circle intro Pilates class with Mary W. or a 10-minute Lower Body Pilates with Katherine M.
Get it in The obé Shop for $22.
2. Sliders
They may not look like much, but sliders pack a punch. These small, flat discs are meant to be placed under your feet or hands and can be used on carpeted or hardwood floors for strength-building exercises. Lightweight, travel-friendly, and oh-so effective, they support muscle activation to help you get more out of every workout. Most commonly used in classes like Sculpt, Strength, Pilates, or Power.
Good for: Adding new intensity and challenge to exercises like lunges, mountain climbers, planks, and more.
Try it if: You want to work your core (no matter what you do with the sliders, you’re always firing it up) and strengthen your key stabilizer muscles.
Start with these classes: A 20-minute Low-Impact HIIT with Dorian C. or a 28-minute Sculpt class with Alex C.
Get yours in The obé Shop for $25.
3. Resistance Bands
Versatile and highly effective, resistance bands help you wake up and target a wide range of muscle groups—from big to tiny. These light-but-mighty bands increase the time your muscles spend under tension, urging them to work harder throughout the exercise. Studies show they’re just as effective as machines and free weights!
Some bonus benefits include improved coordination, motor control, form, and injury prevention. Bands also often come in different resistance “levels” (aka tightness) to match your fitness level, are easy to bring anywhere, and are very affordable.
Good for: Adding resistance to any strength-based exercise, activating your muscles before a difficult workout (like a Power or Strength class), and making modifications.
Try it if: You want to add resistance to bodyweight exercises and fire up the mind-muscle connection in classes like Sculpt, Yoga Sculpt, Barre, Pilates, or Strength.
Start with these classes: A 10-minute Lower Body Sculpt with Marissa I., 10-minute Upper Body Sculpt with Kathryn A., or a quick 5-minute Dynamic Warmup with Melody D.
Get yours in The obé Shop for $18.
4. Jump Rope
Perfect for a fiery warm-up, solo cardio push, or as a strength class companion, few pieces of exercise equipment are as versatile (or portable!) as a jump rope. Research shows jumping rope is one of the best and most efficient cardio exercises you can do at any fitness level. Part cardiovascular workout, part full-body strength (a rare two-in-one combo), jumping rope burns calories while boosting your endurance, stamina, agility, and power.
Good for: Improving coordination, endurance, balance, and testing your cardio without putting tons of pressure on your joints.
Try it if: You want a fun, high-energy way to get your blood pumping and are short on time.
Start with these classes: A 5-minute Jump Essentials with Melody D. or Kat B.’s Jump Start Collection, which features four progressive classes that build from the essentials to a full-out Jump Dance + Sculpt finale.
We recommend this jump rope to start.
5. Barre Ball
Who knew you could do so much with a small, inflatable ball? A staple in many Barre classes (and most likely the secret weapon behind that shake), this prop is excellent for providing lower-back support, assisting with pre/postnatal modifications, or bringing an extra burn. Use it during your warmup, throughout mat work, or in Barre class to test your stability and bring in extra resistance.
Good for: Improving muscle activation, stability, strength, and posture while helping you maintain proper form.
Try it if: You need extra support for your low back, want to level up your Barre, Pilates, or Sculpt classes, or need pre/postnatal modifications.
Start with these classes: A 28-minute Beginner Barre with Adam D. or 10-minute Sculpt Core with Liz C.
Get yours in The obé Shop for $18.
6. Trampoline
Meet the best piece of exercise equipment you’re probably not using (and yes, we wrote a whole article about it). Trampolines, also known as rebounders, are used in all Bounce classes at obé—a high-intensity, low-impact cardio workout that hypes your heart rate without stressing your joints. Besides being super fun, this exercise can also help you increase your stamina, endurance, and cardiovascular output while constantly engaging your legs and core.
Good for: Building strength, improving balance and coordination, getting your cardio fix, and lymphatic drainage.
Try it if: You’re looking to relieve stress and boost your endorphins while getting a super sweaty workout.
Start with these classes: A 10-minute Bounce with Spencer J. or a 20-minute Bounce Dance with Mary W.
We recommend this JumpSport trampoline to start.
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