From step aerobics to exercise balls, we test best at-home gym gear

GYMS are great for exercise with top-notch equipment, a dedicated space and qualified trainers.

But if you’re short of time and need to squeeze in your workout at home, it is easier than ever before.

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In fact, home workouts offer more flexibility – and all you need are a few simple pieces of kit to get going.

Jane Atkinson looks at some at-home exercise gear . . . 

STEP IN RIGHT DIRECTION

BACK in the day I loved a step aerobics class – and now you don’t need to go to a gym to do it.

Just buy a step and get yourself on YouTube to find a workout to follow.

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If you’re starting out, this is a great step to get going on. It is very lightweight – surprisingly so.

If you’re a super-stepper then I would get something chunkier because it is smaller than your average gym step.

However for beginners, those wanting to rehabilitate, or just to give it a go, this is a great entry model.

It has an adjustable height from 10cm to 15cm. It is 28cm wide and just 68cm long, so great for storing away compactly at home.

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£28, argos.co.uk.

GET ON THE MAT

IF you care about your knees – and your back – an exercise mat is essential for when you are working out at home.

It also stops you from slipping about so prevents accidents.

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If you buy a yoga mat you can obviously use it for a few downward dogs, too.

I love the Kin Yoga Mats’ Paradis travel option.

It is only 2mm thick so you can roll it up tightly and fold it right down to A4 size. But it still has lots of squidginess to it.

It’s made of vegan suede and natural rubber with a high-grip surface.

This pretty green-and-blue mat is currently on sale at a reduced price of £49 at kinyogamats.com.

HAVING A BALL

IF you want to exercise your core – the pelvis, back and abdomen muscles – this is a great piece of kit.

Even just blowing it up and sitting on it means that you have to engage your core muscles to stay balanced and centered on the ball.

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So if you work from home and sit at a computer all day, like me, this is brilliant as you can use it as your seat if your desk can lower to the correct height.

If you’re more hardcore you can do sit-ups and squats with it.

Then you can advance to the chest, shoulders and arms with weights.

I tried the 65cm Opti Gym Ball which was great for me at 5ft 6in.

I loved the fact it comes with a pump.

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Luckily it is anti-burst, as my dog loved its plastic smell.

£11, argos.co.uk.