If memory serves, there are a multitude of trends that never made it past the pandemic period. Staying staunchly within the confines of that epoch, these aforementioned activities now feel like a distant memory—gone and very much forgotten. Think along the lines of dalgona coffee, Among Us and Zoom happy hour; relics of the past that show no sign of resuscitation. Bearing this in mind, it stands to reason that the opposite end of the spectrum comprises fads from the age of COVID-19 that have persevered. At the top of the list? Workout apps as well as home gym set-ups.
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If the launch of Apple Fitness+ at the tail end of last year is anything to go by, at-home workouts are only going to get bigger and better in 2026. The rapid pace at which AI is advancing means that hyper-personalised coaching might very well be a reality soon, while further tech enhancements allow for bolstered health monitoring. And so, with the reliance on exercise apps and guided demonstrations only growing, there proves no better time to get your home gym set up than now. To help you with that, Vogue Singapore has reached out to personal trainer and educator, Sakinah to curate a list of best workout equipment to invest in—of which is categorised according to your fitness goals. Spy them all, below.
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Resistance training
“I think the most important thing to remember about building a home gym is that you don’t necessarily need extremely heavy equipment. Progress isn’t just about the load—but instead it’s about how you manipulate variables such as tempo, reps, range of motion, and unilateral work,” explains Sakinah. “For example, instead of a heavy barbell squat—as you might do in a commercial gym—you can perform bulgarian split squats with dumbbells at home, using slower eccentric tempos or increasing reps all to extend time under tension to create a similar muscular stimulus. Intelligent programming matters more than maximal weight, especially for clients who are working out with minimal equipment at home.”
According to Sakinah, adjustable dumbbells act as the foundation of a home gym. “They allow for progressive overload while remaining space-efficient,” she points out. “With controlled tempo, unilateral variations, and higher rep ranges, they can effectively support both strength and hypertrophy goals.”
Beyond that, kettlebells are great and extremely versatile for compound patterns. Sakinah also feels that a wall-mounted pull-up bar and resistance bands do the trick. “The former allows for vertical pulling, which is often neglected at home. Bodyweight strength scales naturally with tempo adjustments and pause work,” she states. Resistance bands, on the other hand, are great for targeted activation exercises in the vein of clamshells, lateral walks, and glute bridges. “I like choosing fabric bands since they’re more comfortable, don’t roll up as much, and are less painful on the skin,” she points out, before going on to add: “Long bands are highly versatile tools that can be used for assisted pull-ups, banded squats, rows, presses, and even anchored anti-rotation core work. While they won’t replace heavier strength training, they’re excellent for improving hip stability, reinforcing movement mechanics, and adding volume to accessory work. They’re also ideal for warm-ups before compound lifts.”
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Cardio
If your goal is to boost and intensify the amount of cardio you do, Sakinah recommends adding three key items to your setup: a jump rope, kettlebells and a yoga mat.
“A jump rope is compact, efficient, and excellent for improving cardiovascular capacity as well as coordination. It allows for high-intensity intervals without requiring large equipment. It’s my personal favourite as it’s portable,” she asserts. “Kettlebells can be used to do swings that are an excellent way to get one’s heart rate up. Because swings are hinge-based and cyclical, they build cardiovascular endurance without the repetitive joint stress of high-impact cardio — making them both efficient and joint-friendly for home training.” A high-quality and non-slip yoga mat, too, is essential for creating a stable and cushioned surface for bodyweight training. “You can use it for cardio movements such as burpees, squat jumps, mountain climbers, and floor-based conditioning drills,” she says. “Beyond cardio, it also supports core work, mobility flows, and recovery sessions—making it one of the most versatile essentials in any home setup.”
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Flexibility and recovery
“In the case of increasing your flexibility and/or focusing on recovery, a yoga mat provides a stable base for mobility flows, stretching, and core control work. A long resistance band is useful for assisted stretching and expanding range of motion gradually, while a massage gun provides targeted percussive therapy to help reduce muscle stiffness and improve circulation after training,” Sakinah elucidates. “It’s especially useful in a home gym because it allows precise recovery work on tight or overworked areas without needing another person. This supports quicker recovery, enhances range of motion when paired with mobility work, and helps athletes get ready for their next session.”
