02/10/2026
Since COVID, a lot more people have switched to training at home. In fact, around half of my clients work out exclusively from home.
There’s nothing wrong with home workouts. But one benefit of having access to a gym is the range of weights available. If you’re strength training properly, you should be getting stronger over time — and that’s where many home setups fall short. Without enough weight options, progress can slow down.
This is one of the reasons barbells exist: they make it easy to increase load as you get stronger.
That said, if you’re a woman who’s just getting started and going to the gym isn’t realistic right now, this is the equipment I usually recommend:
• Loop bands — useful for learning muscle activation and for short or travel workouts
• 5 lb dumbbells — great for smaller muscle groups and movements that feel challenging at first
• 10, 15, and 20 lb dumbbells — enough for most beginner strength exercises
• Adjustable dumbbells — a practical way to increase weight over time without buying multiple sets
Most women I work with use this setup for their first two to three months for exercises like lunges, presses, and rows.
At some point, you’ll likely need heavier weights or a gym membership to keep progressing — but this is a solid place to start.
