My Top 6 Fitness Tools

Every five seconds there’s some new fitness gadget out there that you are told you “must have.” These ads fill our magazines and flash across our TV screens with hunky and sexy hot models getting you to believe that if you just buy this thing, all your fitness fantasies will come true.

Let’s cut the bullshit right up front. You don’t need any fitness tool, toy, or equipment to get in really great shape. There isn’t any one fitness product that is going to be the miracle item that gets you the body of your dreams. Sorry, folks, and welcome to reality. Whenever you hear about a fitness product that promises to get you a hot body with no sweat, no effort, while you pig out on crap foods all day, in only 8 minutes a day – that’s the biggest bullshit out there.

The truth is you don’t need any exercise equipment at all to get or stay fit. Not even one piece!! People have been fit, strong and healthy for millenia all over this planet without one dumbbell, without a treadmill, without a heart rate monitor or any of our fancy-schmancy inventions.

Now I use some tools, toys, and equipment in my daily workouts, but I would never say I need that stuff. And I wouldn’t dare feed you any bullshit about how any of it is “amazing, the one fitness tool you must have.” There’s a ton of fitness stuff out there on the market. Most of it is just hyped-up crap manufactured to get your money out of your pocket. All of it you can do without or make some homemade version of. Don’t ever give in to the idea that you need a certain piece of equipment or that there’s some tool or gadget out there that will usher you into fitness heaven.

With all that said, there are some items I really like to use in my workouts. Here are my top 6 favorites and what I like about them.

1. Dumbbells – These have got to be the most basic of all fitness equipment, right? The granddaddy of all exercise tools.  That’s what I love about them. Nothing complicated and they can be used in so many different ways. I like the fixed weight type not the adjustable ones. Ever had a plate fall off and land on your toe? That hurts like a you-know-what. Also I find that the fixed dumbbells work better for exercises like Renegade Rows, Dumbbell Bear Crawls, and other activities where you are leaning on them – much more stable.
   
2. Kettlebells – Just another type of dumbbell, you say? Kind of but not really. The kettlebell’s center of mass extends beyond your hand, unlike the dumbbell, so it is great for explosive, swinging movements. With the weight moving around, more muscles get involved in controlling and maneuvering it. My advice, wear gloves when you use them to keep your hands all pretty and blister-free. And if you’re doing any movement where you are flipping the kettlebell to the backside of your arm, wear something to pad that area. I’ve had a few nasty bruises from the kettlebell repeatedly slamming into the same spot.  If you want to purchase a kettlebell workout Click Here!
   
3. TRX Suspension Trainer – Oooh, big long name for some nylon webbing with some handles. So, how did this thing by Fitness Anywhere make my top 6? It’s so fricken versatile. You can do exercises that work your upper body, your lower body, your core, or all of it. You can change things up to suit all levels of ability so it grows with you. And it goes with you as well. It’s light and compact and can be used just about anywhere. All you need is a spot to anchor it. My favorite activities to do are pushups, rows, and jackknives.
   
4. Medicine Balls – Fitness to me is far-reaching and includes lifting, carrying, throwing, catching, and maneuvering larger weighted objects. There are plenty of real-world items to use, but I gave myself a nasty black eye using a coconut in one of my workouts while on a tropical island. So I’ll do my workouts with a medicine ball instead. The variety of things you can do with a medicine is really endless. I suppose if I had to choose one type, it would be the rebounding version that bounces.
   
5. Power Wheel – What can I say? If you want to feel every fiber of your core get a workout, get busy on this little toy by Lifeline. Oh my gosh, nothing I’ve ever used has made me feel like this bad boy does. If you make the investment, take on a Power Wheel Crawl and try to get to 100 yards.
   
6. Resistance Bands and Tubes – Nothing gets lighter, easier to pack, or simpler to take with you anywhere than a resistance band or tube. I’ve taken them on trips to Africa, the South Pacific, and all over the US.  When I’ve got these with me, I can get in all the strength training I need. I use them at home as well. Tons of versatility with these guys.

If I were going to be stranded on a uninhabited island and had to pick 6 things to have along, these would not be on the list. I’m not stupid. I’d make much better choices for that sort of scenario. Workout items would not even be needed. On the other hand, if had to give away all my fitness toys and keep only 6, these would be them. So if you aren’t planning to be marooned on an island any time soon, and have a few bucks to invest in some fitness equipment, I’d recommend these. No, you don’t need them. No, they aren’t magic. But yes, they are useful and fun to workout with.