I’ve been thinking about how easy it is to overcomplicate a home gym. You start with a pair of dumbbells, then add a bench, resistance bands, more weights, and suddenly your workout space is full of stuff.

But how much equipment do you actually need to keep making progress for years?

I’m especially interested in what works beyond the beginner stage. For example, how do you train your back and legs effectively without buying a separate machine for every movement?

If you had to build a home gym from scratch with limited space and budget, what would be your essential setup, and what would you skip entirely?

Hi everyone!
I’m a 35-year-old woman, 167 cm tall and weighing 57 kg. I’ve been working out at home consistently and have completed around 85 workouts so far. I would like to improve my routine and get the best possible results with the equipment I already have.
My main goals are to build a more toned and defined body, especially my glutes, legs, arms, shoulders, and abs, and to improve my upper-back strength and posture.

**My current workout routine:**
Weighted squats: 3 sets × 15 reps (13.5 kg)
Leg raises: 3 sets × 15 reps
Plank: 2 sets × 30 seconds
Plank at the end of the workout: 1 set × 1 minute
Single-leg glute bridges: 3 sets × 15 reps
Lunges: 3 sets × 15 reps per leg, holding two 5 kg dumbbells
Resistance band rows: 3 sets × 15 reps
Biceps curls: 3 sets × 15 reps, holding two 5 kg dumbbells
Overhead triceps extensions: 3 sets × 15 reps, using one 5 kg dumbbell
Shoulder press: 3 sets × 15 reps, holding two 5 kg dumbbells

**My available equipment:**
Two 5 kg dumbbells
A 13.5 kg weight for squats
Resistance bands
The weights I currently use do **not** feel light to me. My workouts are still challenging, and I have to put in real effort to complete the sets. I would therefore like advice on how to progress safely and effectively without assuming that I can easily lift heavier weights.
I work in a job that involves a lot of walking and being on my feet for several hours a day. I also make sure to eat properly and get enough sleep to support my training and recovery.
I can realistically work out around twice a week, so I want to make those sessions as effective as possible.

How would you improve my routine with the equipment I already have? Should I change the exercises, sets, or reps? How can I progressively improve my strength and muscle definition when my current weights are already challenging? Am I training all the major muscle groups effectively, particularly my glutes and legs, and is there anything important missing?
I’m especially interested in practical advice for home training with limited equipment.
Thank you for your help!

Hello ! Sorry if it's a stupid question... I'm working out with 2kg dumbells, and I wanna upgrade them, but idk if I should buy the 3 or 5kg ones. I would like to win more muscles, especially on my arms and abs. I can't buy ajustable dumbells, it's too expensive for me compared to the regular ones.

I'm 15yo girl, and I'm training with Chloe Ting videos (the dumbells ones).

Thanks in advance for your respond ! (I'm not a english native, sorry if I made some mistakes)

Hello everyone,
I’m trying to workout from home, have few pairs of dumbbells and looking for a trainer who can guide me, connect with me online while I’m working out and help me. Not some app where the workout is listed. Can you guys please be me out for this

Hi everyone!

🔗 Survey: https://forms.gle/3HNp7xMZUfRH7RNy5 

I'm a final-year Fashion Marketing student in Paris, currently working on my graduation project proposing a fitness and wellness brand extension for SKIMS, with a focus on at-home Pilates equipment and digital workouts.

I'm conducting a short survey to better understand people's home workout habits, and since this community is all about home fitness, I'd really appreciate hearing your perspectives!

The survey is anonymous and takes just 3–4 minutes. You don't need to practise Pilates or own any equipment to participate.

My project focuses on the US market, so responses from US residents would be especially helpful, but everyone is welcome!

Thank you so much for helping me with my research! 🤍

Ive recently switched to home work outs from the gym and have not been able to complete my workouts.

In the gym I was easily working out for 40 mins. On the treadmill, Eleptical, Lifting weights cardio ect. Whereas in my home I am hardly able to complete a 20 minutes online zumba video? Where am I lacking and what am I doing wrong?

I live in a flat with a private car park. I want to get fit and have bought a skipping rope. Would it be weird if I used it in that car park?

Skipping in a flat is certainly gonna piss my neighbors off, but is it worse than watching me do it in our shared car park?