Home Workout Essentials: The Only Checklist You Need

The Non-Negotiables

After years of training at home (and helping thousands of Australians build their home gyms), we've narrowed it down to the essentials that deliver real results.

1. A Quality Gym Mat

You need something between you and the floor. Not a yoga mat — a proper gym mat that handles impact, provides grip, and protects your surfaces. The PeterMat Zero or PeterMat Round are purpose-built for this.

2. Dumbbells (At Least One Pair)

Dumbbells are the most versatile piece of equipment you can own. A single pair of 10kg rubber hex dumbbells unlocks hundreds of exercises. Check our weight selection guide if you're unsure what size.

3. Resistance Bands

At $29 for a 5-pack set, bands offer the best value in fitness. They travel anywhere, target muscles that dumbbells miss, and provide variable resistance that's genuinely challenging.

4. A Foam Roller

Recovery is half the battle. A foam roller keeps your muscles mobile, reduces soreness, and helps prevent injury. Five minutes after each workout makes a massive difference.

Nice-to-Haves (But Not Essential)

• Pull-up bar — if you have a doorframe that supports it
• Ab roller — simple, brutal, effective
• Massage gun — the premium recovery option
• Yoga blocks — helpful for flexibility and supported stretches

The Complete Kit