New Gym Products 2014
Fun Gym Items You'll Want to Steal
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At the International Health, Racquet, and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) conference last week, there was no end of new-model treadmills, indoor cycling bikes, and strength-training equipment to outfit even the sleekest, most high-tech gym. But what caught our eye were the ones that don't require a fancy gym membership — products that you can add to your own basic home gym setup. Check out a few fun fitness items we loved that will make your home gym seem state of the art!
SandRope
Using a battle rope at the gym is a great way to sculpt arms and increase endurance (and look pretty badass while you're doing it), but installing one at home? Not so much. Not only do most battle ropes take up a lot of space, but they can be tripping hazards if you leave them in the wrong place in your backyard or garage. The Hyperwear SandRope ($180 for a 30-pound rope) is an effective home alternative: essentially a neoprene tube filled with sand, it doesn't need to be attached to an anchor point and is small enough to coil up out of the way when you're not using it.
CrossRope
Jump roping is serious calorie-burning cardio, and even more so when you get serious about your equipment. The CrossRope Jump Rope System ($150) features ropes of different weights and handles that clip on and off easily so you can focus on your workout instead of getting tangled in the details.
Zumba Step
Combining old-school step aerobics with your favorite gym dance class, Zumba Step is the newest workout from the dance craze. Look for the class at 24 Hour Fitness gyms near you, then test your newfound skills at home with the Zumba Incredible Results System ($89), which features a Step DVD and green Zumba Rizer.
Qube Soft Plyobox
Box jumping helps build strength, endurance, and balance — but jumping on a high, hard surface can be intimidating. Look for soft plyoboxes, like the SPRI Qube ($450), for safe jumping in your home gym. The Qube features different-sized sides so you can increase or decrease the height as needed.
Escape Fitness Weights
Give your home gym some personality with bright, durable weight-training equipment like those from Escape Fitness. Items like the no-roll hand weights (from $31) and kettlebells (from $26) are color-coded for easy use and rubber-coated so they're safe for your hardwood floors.
Beastie Roller
The Beastie system from Rumble Roller features customizable attachments and adjustable racks to set up self-massaging stations at the gym, but you can get the same results while sitting at home on your couch. The handheld Beastie ($25) and Beastie Bar ($60) help loosen muscles and offer targeted therapy where you need it most.
