22/07/2026
"I'm thinking about joining The HIIT Factory Livestream so I can do the 6 Week Performance Project from home... what equipment do I need?"
It's Colette here! 🙋♀️
With our 6 Week Performance Project kicking off on 10 August, I've been getting this question a lot, so I thought it was time for an updated guide!
The good news is, you don't need to spend thousands setting up a home gym.
In fact, if you own a good range of Hex Dumbbells, you'll be able to do around 90–95% of everything we program.
The rest is really just adding a few pieces over time to make your home setup even better.
We still have some fantastic bodyweight workouts (perfect if you're travelling, just getting started or don't have equipment yet), but if you love strength training and want access to almost every format we offer, a few key pieces of equipment will have you set for years.
First things first...
To get started you'll need:
✔️ A laptop to stream your workout, you can stream via your phone but the bigger screen will be better plus you'll get to see others training too and it'll feel like you're in the class!
✔️ A teeny little bit of space, honestly 2m x 2m is perfect, I've been known to do home workouts in bathrooms on holidays lol
✔️ A water bottle
✔️ A sweat towel
✔️ 30 minutes!
A laptop connected to your TV via HDMI gives the best experience!
NO EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
These workouts can all be completed with absolutely no equipment, making them perfect if you're travelling, just getting started or simply want to train anywhere.
• Tabata21
• The Ladder
• The Pyramid
• Lucky HIIT
Many of our strength workouts can also be modified using bodyweight while you're building your home gym.
🏆 My No.1 Recommendation... Hex Dumbbells
If you're going to invest in one thing, make it Hex Dumbbells.
I'd recommend building a collection of around 4-5 pairs to start, something like:
• 3kg
• 5kg
• 7kg
• 9kg
• 12.5kg
(Adjust these to suit your current strength.)
As you get stronger, simply add another pair every few months.
Before long you'll have an amazing home gym.
I'd also recommend an A-frame Dumbbell Tree to keep everything tidy and take up very little space.
Long term, I'd aim for around 10 pairs, covering lighter through to heavier weights. It sounds like a lot, but remember... this is equipment you'll own for years and use across hundreds of workouts.
Other equipment I'd recommend
🏋️ Barbell & Plates
If you love strength training, this is your next investment.
Perfect for progressively lifting heavier over time and ideal for deadlifts, squats, shoulder press, rows, hip thrusts and so much more. Start with a class style barbell, down the track you may add an Olympic barbell but these can take up a bit of space & not essential.
🪜 Commercial Aerobic Step
Not just for HIIT Step!
It also doubles as a fantastic weights bench for chest press, split squats, single arm rows and plenty of other exercises, especially in workouts like The Stage and Raise the Bar.
🔔 Kettlebell/s
Fantastic for swings, cleans and functional movements.
If you're buying your first one, I'd generally recommend somewhere between 8kg-16kg, depending on your current strength. Ideally, get some pairs, great for suitcase pick ups and lots of other things.
🧘 Workout Mat
Which workouts use what equipment?
🏋️ Strength
Our full body strength sessions using Hex Dumbbells, Barbells and Kettlebells (or a combination of all three). These sessions are all about building strength, improving technique and progressively lifting heavier over time.
💪 Raise The Bar
Our upper body strength format. Hex Dumbbells will comfortably get you through the entire workout, while Barbells are fantastic for movements such as shoulder press, rows and heavier lifts if you have one available.
🔥 Tabata21 Strength
One of our fastest-paced strength workouts. Hex Dumbbells are perfect for this format, with lighter to moderate weights generally working best due to the higher repetitions and quicker transitions.
🪜 Ladder Strong
A full body strength workout primarily using Hex Dumbbells. Barbells are fantastic for many of the exercises, especially if you enjoy lifting heavier, but they're definitely not essential. If all you have is a good set of dumbbells, you'll be able to complete the entire workout.
🔟 Top Ten Strength
One of our most popular strength formats. Hex Dumbbells will cover the entire workout, with Kettlebells handy for some exercises if you have them—but they're certainly not essential.
📉 The Descend
A full body strength workout using Hex Dumbbells and/or Barbells, with Kettlebells or Dumbbells used interchangeably depending on the exercise and what you have available at home.
🔔 KettleHIIT
Despite the name, you don't actually need Kettlebells to do this workout! Almost every exercise can be performed using Hex Dumbbells instead.
That said, a Kettlebell is the better option for movements like swings, where the shape and handle make them easier and more comfortable to use than a dumbbell.
🚴 Spin
You'll need an indoor spin bike or bike trainer for our Spin sessions.
If I was starting from scratch...
I'd buy:
✔️ 5 pairs of Hex Dumbbells
✔️ An A-frame Dumbbell Tree
✔️ A Workout Mat
Then, over time, I'd add:
• A Barbell & Plates
• A Kettlebell
• A Commercial Aerobic Step
Remember... you don't need everything on day one. Build your collection gradually and you'll have an incredible home gym that will last you for years.
Ready to train with us from home?
Our Livestream Membership is now just $99 per month (previously $199!) with no lock-in contracts.
That's around $3.30 per day for professionally coached, live and interactive 30-minute workouts, delivered straight to your home.
Whether you're training in your lounge room, garage, backyard, away on holidays or travelling for work, we'll be there to help keep you consistent.
🎉 Bonus!
Livestream Legends members receive our upcoming 6 Week Performance Project completely FREE as part of their membership!
Starting 10 August through to 20 September, you'll also receive:
✅ Meal plans
✅ Healthy recipes
✅ Start & finish fitness testing
✅ Extra accountability and motivation
✅ A fantastic community all working towards their goals together.
Already a studio member? Don't forget, your studio membership also includes access to all of our Livestream sessions, so you can train from home whenever life gets in the way of making it into the studio.
If you've been thinking about giving Livestream a go, now is the perfect time.
👉 Register here: https://bit.ly/livestreamHQ
If you've got any questions about equipment, what weights to buy, where to shop or what setup would best suit your goals, pop a comment below or send me a message.
I'm always happy to help.
Happy training!
Colette McShane
Founder & Director
The HIIT Factory
