9 Home Fitness Props – No Machines Required

Here at Fit2B we provide subscription access to over 300 home workout videos, and our prop list of optional exercise isn’t expensive. We realize most people don’t have a lot of extra money to buy fitness gear they will only use for a little while, so we get creative with what you probably already have lying around. We also only recommend items that we use in multiple exercise videos!

2. Canned Goods — No dumbbells? No problem! Cans of soup make lovely hand weights!

3. A Chair — Beyond all of our chair workouts for those whose lower bodies need time off, we also used a chair for this barre-inspired routine and this hipster workout!

4. Stairs — Even if you don’t have stairs in your house, there’s surely some steps around or near your house, right? Our workout video “Stair Intervals” is awesome for a full set of stairs, and who says you can’t do step aerobics on your porch?

9 Home Fitness Props to Buy

You may already have a lot of these on hand. If not, you need to know WHY we began devoting our precious energy and resources to filming workouts with seemingly random items like foam rollers, weighted balls, aerobic steps, kettlebells, yoga blocks, stretchy bands, and bodylastics bands. It’s because of the sad fact that these items always come with a list of exercises that aren’t suitable for those with abdominal trauma, or those dealing with diastasis recti, recent abdominal surgery, hernia, prolapse, incontinence, and other core issues that require modifications for a while. 

The happy fact is that TummySafe Fitness is our specialty here on Fit2B, where we take the fear out of fitness and make movement possible again for people who are scared they might reinjure themselves. We teach the strategies, alignment, and breathing needed to help people approach working out with confidence again!

Without further ado, here is the list of 9 home fitness props we use most here on Fit2B.

Just click on the name of the item, and it will take you to amazon. This list contains affiliate links to Amazon which pays us a tiny TINY tiny commission without making you pay more, which means your purchases through these links help to further support Fit2B. Thank you!

1. Foam Roller
   • You need a round foam roller that is 6″ wide by 36″ long. It doesn’t need to be fancy or have nubs on it, but some people like extra grippies.
   • We use a foam roller in our eCourse entitled “14 Days to a Better Neck” and also in several foam rolling routines such as “TummySafe Foam Rolling,” “FoamUNrolling” and “Foam Rollaxing” … relaxing + rolling = rollaxing! Like I said, we’re different here at Fit2B 😉
   • We also use a half-roll in a couple of routines like our “Half Roll Workout,” and I recommend the 24″ one here.
2. Weighted Workout Balls
   • These workout balls are full of iron sand and easier to grip than dumbbells for people with wrist issues. The diverse things you can do with them — like catching and passing — make them a more fun home fitness prop than dumbbells, like in our Tabata Ball Workout and a couple others.
   • I use a medicine ball in our Circuit Workout video here.
   • If you follow me on instagram and watch my stories, then you’ve seen me use a slam ball in my personal practice.
3. Blocks
   • They are a common prop in mainstream yoga studio classes, but they aren’t just for yoga. They are very useful for modifying many Pilates and body resistance movements. They show up as optional props in several of our routines, and they are central to  “Blissful Blocks” which uses non-yoga terminology for those who are uncomfortable with yoga.
   • Some members have made their own. You can find blocks at big store chains like Target, not just online.
   • Blocks can be made out of EVA foam, as well as wood or cork.
4. Firm Rectangular Bolster
   • A bolster should be at least 24″ long x 12″ wide x 6″ tall in order to support your torso and head during most of the positions for which it’s used.
   • We use a bolster during “Restorative Poses” and “Balanced Inversions,” and a few others on Fit2B make it an option as well.
   • If you want to make your own, this is a great video tutorial that we made for you recently!
5. Aerobic Step
   • An aerobic step is featured in several step routines on Fit2B, and we plan to add more routines as we keep growing our library of family-friendly fitness. Find these routines in our cardio section here.
   • If you aren’t ready for a step but want to do a step routine, lay a bathmat on the floor and step on and off that. Some members have also used scotch tape to draw a square on their floor to step in and out of. Their kids have fun with this as well.
   • Not kidding: I got my step that I use in the Fit2B videos at a yard sale for $1.50 USD. I paid in quarters, lol!
6. Dumbbells
   • We use dumbbells in a LOT of our home fitness workouts such as “Ultimate Upper Body” and “Weighted Warriors.”
   • You can always substitute two equally weighted food items, water bottles, toy trucks, milk jugs … The options are endless!
   • This dumbbell set is affordable, and here is an adjustable set to try!
7. KettleBell
   • While most kettlebell moves push for speed and hip snapping, we slow things down a bit on Fit2B to teach proper form and maintain safety for those who are recovering from diastasis recti, hernia, prolapse, leaking issues, etc. Once you get the hang of it, you can go faster if your body says it’s okay.
   • Kettlebells are hard to duplicate with something else. They are one of the most ancient types of weights and they allow for a comfortable grip and swinging motions that other items just can’t replicate.
   • We have several kettlebell routines here on Fit2B for those who want to explore kettlebells while building their core integrity including Kettle Bell Workout, Silver Bells, and Green Gertie.
8. Big Stability Exercise Ball
   • Situps and crunches on big exercise balls are less ideal for Diastasis Recti than those same moves on the floor. When diastasis recti is present, the spinal hyperextension that balls encourage should be avoided while strategies are practiced.
   • Our “Transitions” and  “Functional Workout” both show lots of great tummysafe fitness moves so you can adapt the program that comes with your ball. We have another fun ball workout called “Get on the {BIG} ball” and another one called “Salmon Spheres” in our pink series.
9. Latex-Free Stretchy Bands
   • Exercise bands are so light and easy to pack with on trips. They take up zero space and are very versatile!
   • We use stretchy bands during the “Little {Big} Band Routine,” “Great Glutes,” and “Bands & Balance,” plus a few others.
   • Tip: Tie your band in a loose knot to make a circle for my “Circle Band Routine.“
   • Kelly uses Bodylastics exercise bands in her Big Band Workout, and I filmed a followup to that routine called Beth’s Big Band Routine.

Must you buy all those things to use Fit2B? No way! Like I already said, the majority of our routines encourage you to use what you already have (your body weight, canned goods, cooperative kids) — often in ways you never thought! Even in the routines that do call for certain props, we give you alternatives, like showing you how to make your own bolster or how you can use a pillow instead of a block for certain moves.

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Do you have to buy new? No way! Honestly, I get a lot of my home fitness props and equipment at thrift stores, garage sales or local chains. I’m always giving away my props, and it’s a pain to buy new ones all the time. Just the other day, my mom asked if I had any 1-pound dumbbells she could borrow for her shoulder rehab. “Yep, I sure do. Just keep ’em, okay, Mom?” She was delighted, and I had an excuse to head to my fave thrift shop to replace them 😉