What Equipment Do You Need?
Do you actually need equipment?
By now you know:
✔️ Resistance training is the way
✔️ Push-ups, pull-ups (or your version), squats
✔️ Just 5 sets per exercise per week — 45 mins total (or even just 30 with supersets)
But what equipment do you actually need?
👉 Nothing.
Seriously — don’t fall for the fitness industry hype. It's built to make you spend.
You already have the most powerful tool: your body.
BUT… if you want to make things easier or smoother (especially for pulling exercises), here are a few helpful — but optional — tools:
1. Resistance Bands
(Not the thin therapy bands — those snap like spaghetti.) I’m talking about the thicker grip bands — great for:
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Assisted pull-ups
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Rows
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Extra moves like curls or extensions if you’re feeling fancy
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Shoulder presses
2. TRX or Rings Amazing for:
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Assisted pull-ups
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Rows, squats, and advanced push-ups
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Adjustable resistance — just walk your feet forward/back TRX can even hook up to your doorframe.
3. Pull-up Bars Useful if:
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You can already do a few pull-ups
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Your doorframe fits the bar Otherwise, a sturdy railing or playground bar works just as well.
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If you can't do pull ups yet (which is normal, most people can't) there are easy alternatives and tools.
4. Push-up Bars
Totally optional. Only helpful if:
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You’re beyond kneeling push-ups
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Your wrists don’t love the floor
5. Extras I Love
💻 Walking pad — I use mine while on calls. (Yes, I get out of breath during meetings 😂) 🚶 Or I’ll just take a quick 1–2 km walking break to reset. You could just… walk outside too 😅
I usually walk 1–2km at 4.5–5km/h, sometimes even at 6km/h if I’m rushing (I didn’t know walking could feel like cardio 😅). It’s been amazing for quick breaks or when my butt is numb.
👉 If you're in Germany and want to get the same one I use, [click here] and enter code PCOLE20 for 20€ off.
No, you can’t fold it up and hide it under your couch (aka never use it). Mine lives right next to my desk.
Oh, and I’ve had a great partnership with the company for a while — you might even catch me in some of their product photos.
Please don’t laugh. 😂
Not sure if they ship outside Germany — just shoot me a message if you’ve got questions.
🏋🏽Weighted Vest — these are great if you are more advanced and need some extra weight when training. I for example do 20kg weighted pull ups. Or you can use them if you are struggling to transition to the next level. For example from kneeling push ups to full push ups. Just add a weighted vest to your kneeling push ups until your ready.
🪢 Jump rope — great for coordination and staying athletic (or quick on your feet - super important). I do ~500 jumps in about 5 minutes, once or twice a week. You could also just jump on the spot. Simple.
My recommendation? Start first. Use what you’ve got. You can even use a towel over a door for pulling work.
The goal is progress, not perfection. Keep it simple. You’ve got this.