HEAVY-DUTY HOME-GYM ESSENTIALS

Upgrade your at-home pump sessions for the social-distancing era. We present our essential kit list for the 21st-century physical culturist

01/ DOUBLE DIP

Progress begets progress, and one way to ensure that you’re on the right trajectory is to add some extra resistance to your bodyweight movements. If your set-up isn’t catering to your insatiable appetite for bigger lifts, then take ownership and bag one of these to ensure nothing’s holding you back.

Bulldog Gear Dip Belt £35 bulldoggear.eu

02/ PRESS TO IMPRESS

Compression clothing technology is growing in popularity, but you can reap the benefits without going “tights only” (and leave something to the imagination). These two-in-one shorts offer full compression hidden beneath high-quality gym shorts. Squat-ready, bench-proof and worth subtly posing in.

2XU 2-1 Compression Shorts £60 2xu.com

03/ SOLE SURVIVOR

Designed with the specific aim of increasing your ability to put more kilos on the bar, the hard, flat sole and snug upper of this shoe provide enormous amounts of stability to your feet – effectively bolting you down – while the elevated heel increases your hip and ankle flexibility. Who needs a spotter?

Nike Romaleos 3 XD £145 wit-fitness.com

04/ RACK ’EM UP

A one-stop battle station for more than just the budding strongman, this lets you do everything that the best squat racks offer, whether it’s pull-ups, dips, squats, or presses. The kicker? When you’re done, you can pop it over your shoulder, carry it to your shed and flatpack it. If Ikea made home gyms, they’d look like this.

Men’s Health Squat Rack £80 argos.co.uk

05/ STEEL YOURSELF

Leave behind the pain of discovering week-old, unwashed plastic pots with this stainless-steel shaker. It’s non-porous, which means it stays smelling clean and fresh and is easy to wash, no matter how long you leave it in your gym bag (note: this is not a challenge). Stainless Steel Shaker £10 bulkpowders.co.uk

06/ FORM AND FUNCTION

Getting adequate protein is non-negotiable on the road to gains, but this shake delivers a hidden health punch. It’s a heap of plant-based protein with greens and superfoods that help you meet your daily nutrient and fibre requirements in just a few tasty slurps. Ideal for habitual veg-skippers. Form Superblend Protein £26 formnutrition.com