Fitness Essentials You’ll Actually Use

We’re going with the basics when it comes to fitness essentials here, nothing fancy. There really isn’t much you need to stay active and consistent.

And honestly, anyone who says otherwise is just trying to sell and make commission off of you.

Currently, this is just a list of my go-to fitness essentials that's I've used consistently over 15+ years of fitness and none are affiliate links. If that changes, this blog will be updated.

I’ve never, and I don’t think I’ll ever be, the girl that looks so cool working out in her lifting set. I’m usually in all black, shorts that have lasted me years, a t-shirt I got for volunteering at a CrossFit competition, and the cheapest shoes I could afford when it was WAY past time to get new ones.

Whether you’re just getting started, need some basics you can keep coming back to, or just looking for ideas. This is the list I will always recommend to people. And if it changes, I’ll come back and edit this blog.

Here’s what I recommend:

• Shoes

• Good clothes

• Watch

• Headphones

• Yoga Mat

• Bands

• Pressure balls or Foam roller

Shoes can be the hardest and most controversial thing when it comes to what you need for working out or just wearing on the daily. And when they’re expensive too, it makes the decision that much harder.

So here’s what I look for when purchasing shoes.

Price- sometimes I’m only able to spend $25-$50 on a new pair. Life happens and budgets get tight. So I start there.

Size- no duh, but some shoes don’t come in a good range, or have a wide options, which is what I’ll try for usually.

Reviews- we like to know that a shoe is of good quality, that we aren’t just spending money on something we’ll have to return or will cause an even bigger headache.

Besides looking on Amazon, I'll check TJ Maxx, Walmart or a shoe outlet store. Your variety and name brand may be limited, but you're just looking for some decent shoes to get started. Make sure there's some room in the toe, good traction so you don't feel like you'll slip and as comfortable as you can get when trying out shoes in a store or when they come in the mail.

But overall, don’t overthink the cheaper shoes too much. If you’re just getting started or really need a new pair of shoes, these will get you through.

Like I said above, I will never have the super cute workout sets. I’m good in a free volunteer shirt or size M-L band tee. But when it comes to the bottoms, I am PICKY!

I’ve got thick thighs with a bit of cushion, I’ve got a stomach, and I don’t want to have to worry about them riding up or falling down when I’m working out.

Whether that’s running, CrossFit, basic gym session or walking outside, these 3 recommendations are a MUST if you’re looking for something simple.

Shorts- I’m going to preface with long shorts not being my favorite, but I’ll explain more in the next recommendation. But I love working out in shorts, and feel suffocated when they’re long.

So the perfect in-between short is going to have a 3" or 5" inseam. 3" will be closer to booty shorts for me, while 5" is long enough for comfort and usually don't ride up.

You may have to test a few out, but when you find the right ones, get doubles! I've had some for over 3 years with weekly use and they're still going strong!

Long Shorts- Now, I know I just long shorts aren’t my favorite, BUT if I’m trying to run, this length 100%. Chub rub was one of the biggest reasons for me not wanting to get into running. I don’t like running in long leggings, I get so hot, but these were perfect for keeping me comfortable and still being shorts.
8" inseam has been the perfect sweet spot to avoid chub rub while still getting a workout in.

Long Leggings- Am I just going to contradict myself through this whole section? Yes. But hear me out! I coached and trained others for years, sometimes I don’t want to wear short, or I want to go on walks outside when it’s colder and don’t want my leggings to pill after 2 walks in them, OR if I’m being really daring and trying to run when it’s cold out? I have leggings that have lasted me 3+ years with daily use and wearing for hours while coaching classes or long walks outside from Amazon for $20. Don't think you have to drop a lot of money for them!

When I was in track in high school, I really wanted a watch that I could use as a stop watch for sprints. I wore that thing until it died, like the old digital ones that weren’t connected to your phone or gave you access to a million things.

This time around, I wanted to get a new one to start tracking my steps.

And again, there’s so many different options, and the best are well over $100. So we’re keeping it basic here.

The watch I got was about $20, tracks my steps accurately, and has access to other things as well, but I find they aren’t super helpful.

If you’re looking for a cheap start to digital and Bluetooth watches, I’d start here and ask yourself WHY you want one.
If it's to focus on getting 10k steps, have easy access to the time and maybe track your heartrate during exercise, a cheap $20 watch will do it! Once you progress or want more, you can adjust and plan from there.

But for now, to start out simple, a basic watch will do great.

I used to get the Skullcandy headphones all the time from Walmart. They’re good quality and super simple! So if you need backup wire ones, yes to those!

But for wireless, in ear headphones, I found a pair for $20 on Amazon and they're still working 3 years later! I need to charge them about every-other week and they’re good to go.

I use them at the gym, for walks or runs, and on the airplane. I’m huge on music and podcasts, so I want to have access to it.

They do move around a bit, but I’m a fidgeter anyways so I don’t even notice it. Unless I’m doing lunges and they start to fall out.

That’s the only negative I have for them; they sometimes fall out if I don’t push them in my ear correctly. So if it's cheap, just know it won't be perfect but you'll get a lot of use out of it.

We all have had a yoga mat in our lives that just sits in the corner, or is put somewhere that we find again once we move. But honestly, they’re so nice to have!

I’ve noticed I do actually do more stretching and warm ups before my run now that I have one again. I'd recommend getting one that specifically has more cushion on it too, especially if you have hardwood floors. It’s comfortable to stretch on, it’s super long for my 5’ 4” body, and makes basement stretches on the nasty floor more enjoyable.

Plus, it rolls up easy and can go to the side. Like I said, we all have one that we never use. But if you don’t have one right now and the thought has crossed your mind in the last 6 months, might as well get it now.

Also, put it in a higher traffic spot so you see it more and will feel "guilty" if you don't stretch. Pro tip.

I used to get so annoyed with the booty-band girls showing their butt blaster workouts and how they can add inches in just a few weeks.

To start off, no, that won’t happen.

Can you create some good shape and growth? Yes, but not as much as they’re promoting.

They either lift heavy weights because that’s how you grow muscle, or genetics are great.

But aside from that, bands are super great to have! And not just the little circular ones, but the longer ones too. I use both for warmups every morning, and it does make a difference.

You can also do a lot when added to your workouts too. So in general, yes they’re great. But don’t expect them to help you get crazy results. I focus more on stretching and warm ups with them, or an easy thing to take with you on travels.

Do you suffer from getting older, exercising a lot and having poor posture? Then you too need these things!

But seriously, even if you don’t use them as often as we should (myself included), when you run into a minor injury, slept wrong, leg day was worse than expected or have a knot you can’t get out, these are so nice to have around!

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve used my foam roller, complaining the whole time, and then feeling a bit better after. Or with the pressure ball killing a knot in my back or getting the crunchies out of my foot, I’ve been so happy to have them laying around.

So again, something we keep to the side, but are thankful to have around.

And those are my simple fitness essential recommendations!

There’s so much selling and promoting now, it’s hard to know what’s actually good and authentic. So I hope this was helpful in keeping things simple and knowing what’s good to start with. Expensive stuff does mean higher quality, but don't let a financial barrier stop you from taking care of yourself.

There's always a way.

Whether you’re just starting out for the first time, still going at it, or coming back after months or years away, welcome to fitness! You’ll love and hate it, but this list will help get you started or going again on the right foot.

Also, if you’re unsure where to get started with your fitness or if you need to change things up, check out The Best Workout For You.