My go-to kit forgetting stronger, staying active and making healthy eating that little bit easier

You don’t need a home gym full of expensive equipment to get great results. But having a few useful bits of kit can make staying active, getting stronger and eating well much easier – especially when you’re juggling work, family and everything else.

I’ve put together some of the fitness, training and meal-prep products I regularly recommend to my online coaching clients, so you don’t have to spend hours scrolling through Amazon wondering which resistance bands, dumbbells or kitchen scales to buy.

You definitely don’t need everything on this page! If you’re just getting started with strength training at home, a set of dumbbells, minibands and long resistance bands will give you plenty to work with. You can always add more equipment as you get stronger.

I’ve split everything into sections below so you can easily find what you need.

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Home Workout

Fabric Minibands

These are the style of minibands I recommend for home workouts. Having a few different resistance levels means you can choose the right band for each exercise and increase the resistance as you get stronger.

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Long Resistance Bands

A really versatile bit of kit for training at home. Long bands can be used for everything from rows and pulldowns to assisted exercises and lower-body work. I recommend getting a set with several resistance levels rather than just one.

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Resistance Bands Set with Handles, Door Anchor & Ankle Straps

A great option if you train at home and don’t have access to lots of dumbbells. The handles make them particularly useful for upper-body exercises such as rows, presses, curls and tricep work.

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Adjustable Dumbbells

If you’re serious about getting stronger at home, adjustable dumbbells are one of the best investments you can make. They give you plenty of room to progress without needing a whole rack of different weights.

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Dumbbell Set

A simple set of dumbbells is ideal if you’re just starting strength training at home. I’d recommend choosing a set with several weights so you can use lighter weights for smaller muscles and heavier ones for exercises like squats and deadlifts.

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Adjustable Kettlebell

Kettlebells are brilliant for adding variety to your home training, particularly for squats, deadlifts, carries and swings. An adjustable version gives you more scope to progress without having to buy several separate kettlebells.

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Exercise Mat

A decent exercise mat makes floor exercises, core work, stretching and mobility much more comfortable. I prefer one with enough cushioning for your knees without being so thick that it feels unstable during exercise.

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Aerobic Step

Don’t underestimate how useful a step can be! I use them for exercises such as step-ups, split squats and elevated movements. An adjustable one also lets you change the height depending on the exercise and your ability.

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Adjustable Workout Bench

If you’re building a more complete home gym, an adjustable bench massively increases the number of exercises you can do with your dumbbells. Look for one that can be used flat as well as at different incline positions.

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Slam Ball

A brilliant addition to a home workout if you want to add some more explosive, higher-intensity exercises. Slam balls can be used for slams, throws, squats, lunges and core work, and they’re great for getting your heart rate up too. Just make sure you choose a proper non-bounce slam ball if you’re planning to throw it at the floor!

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Steps & Cardio

Walking Pad

One of my favourite ways to make getting your daily steps in easier, especially if you work from home or struggle to get outside during the day. Even short walks throughout the day can soon add up.

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Skipping Rope

A cheap, compact way to add some cardio at home. You don’t need to spend ages skipping either – short bursts can make a great workout finisher when you’re short on time.

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Fitness Tracker

You don’t need to obsess over every number your watch gives you, but a fitness tracker can be really useful for seeing how much you’re actually moving throughout the day and keeping an eye on your daily steps.

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Running Belt / Phone Holder

Handy for walks and runs when you don’t want to carry your phone, keys and other bits in your hands. I prefer something lightweight that stays secure rather than bouncing around as you move.

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Reusable Water Bottle

Keeping water nearby sounds ridiculously simple, but it makes staying hydrated throughout the day so much easier. A larger bottle is particularly handy if you’re someone who regularly realises at 3pm that you’ve barely drunk anything!

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Nutrition & Meal Prep

Digital Kitchen Scales

If you’re tracking calories, kitchen scales make portions far more accurate than guessing or relying on serving sizes. You certainly don’t have to weigh your food forever, but they’re a really useful tool while you’re learning what portions actually look like.

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Meal Prep Containers

Meal prep doesn’t have to mean spending your entire Sunday cooking! Having decent containers makes it easy to prepare a few lunches or portions in advance, save leftovers and have something ready when life gets busy.

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Protein Shaker

An easy way to get some extra protein in when you’re busy or on the go. I like a shaker that’s easy to clean, doesn’t leak and can survive being thrown into a gym bag!

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Insulated Lunch Bag

Really useful if you’re taking food to work rather than relying on whatever you can grab when you’re hungry. It makes bringing a protein-rich lunch, yoghurt, snacks and drinks with you much easier.

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Reusable Snack Pots

Great for taking things like yoghurt, fruit, overnight oats or portioned snacks to work. Having something already prepared can make a huge difference when the alternative is raiding the office biscuit tin at 3pm!

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Oil Spray Bottle

Oil is absolutely fine to include in your diet, but it’s also very calorie dense and incredibly easy to pour more than you realise. A spray bottle makes it much easier to use a smaller amount when cooking.

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Air Fryer

One of my favourite kitchen shortcuts for making quick, tasty meals without loads of washing up. They’re brilliant for things like chicken, salmon, potatoes and vegetables when you need dinner on the table quickly.

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Slow Cooker

Perfect for busy days when you don’t want to start cooking from scratch in the evening. Chuck everything in earlier in the day and you’ve got an easy family meal ready later – plus they’re brilliant for batch cooking.

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Blender

Really handy for smoothies, protein shakes and quick breakfasts when you’re short on time. I’d choose something powerful enough for frozen fruit and ice but easy enough to clean that you’ll actually use it!

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Training Accessories

Lifting Straps

Your grip will sometimes give up before the muscles you’re actually trying to train, particularly with heavier deadlifts and pulling exercises. Lifting straps can help you keep progressing without your grip being the limiting factor.

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Barbell Pad

Useful for making hip thrusts more comfortable as the weight gets heavier. Look for something thick enough to cushion the bar without being ridiculously bulky.

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Foam Roller

A useful bit of kit to have at home for mobility work and those times when everything feels a little tight after training. It’s not magic, but it can feel great as part of your warm-up, cool-down or recovery routine.

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Massage Ball

Brilliant for getting into smaller areas that are difficult to target with a foam roller. It’s also tiny, cheap and easy to keep in your gym bag or take away with you.

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Gym Bag

Nothing particularly exciting – but having one bag with all your training bits ready to go removes one more excuse when you’re trying to get out of the door and get your workout done!

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Nicola Coleman profile picture
Nicola Coleman
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I’ve been working with Laura since the beginning of the year and by the end of May I’m 12.5lbs down and a dress size smaller, which I’m chuffed as nuts with…..especially as it feels like I’ve been trying to lose weight for years! But more than that, I just feel so much better in myself. What I’ve loved about working with Laura is that nothing feels generic. Everything is personalised to me, my lifestyle, the food I like, what I can realistically stick to, and what actually works in real life. It doesn’t feel like being handed a random plan and being told to get on with it. Laura is always there, always supportive, and the weekly check-ins have made such a difference. She gets the balance exactly right. She’s motivating and encouraging, but never aggressive or shouty in that stereotypical PT way. I think a lot of women can feel a bit nervous about working with a personal trainer because they imagine someone barking orders at them and making them feel awful, but Laura is the complete opposite. She’s human, she gets it, and she makes you feel supported rather than judged. She’s also so knowledgeable about all the things that affect weight loss and weight gain for women, which has been a huge eye opener for me. It’s not just a case of eat less and move more. Laura really understands the bigger picture, from hormones and stress to nutrition, protein, cravings and how to help you feel full and satisfied rather than constantly thinking about food. One of the biggest surprises for me is that I don’t feel like I’m on a diet at all. I’m eating loads, I’m not hungry, I’m sleeping better, I’m not constantly rummaging for chocolate or snacks, and it actually feels sustainable, which is something I’ve never really felt before. If you’re feeling fed up, stuck, or like nothing is working anymore, I honestly can’t recommend Laura enough. She’s supportive, realistic, knowledgeable and just really, really good at what she does.
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Emma Pender
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Laura is an absolute gem! She’s completely transformed how I feel about myself, my attitude toward food, and my confidence in completing workouts I never thought I could do. The best part is that she’s always there with support, guidance, and the motivation I need to keep going and stay accountable. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the last three months and am so excited to see where the next stage of my fitness journey takes me. Thank you, Laura! 💪✨
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Claire Messett
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I am sitting here in my dream tree house here in Bali as I write this. I came to Laura as I was ready to release my post pregnancy weight and start getting back to my healthy UK size 12. I took Laura’s 3 month programme and was amazed at the speed and ease that my excess weight started falling off. What amazed me even more was that I wasn’t even hungry. Tomorrow I have booked a photographer to take some shots of me in my lovely red dress that I had bought 4 or 5 years ago! Thank you Laura xxx
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S LP
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I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Laura from Laura Caddy Lifts. She has really reignited my spark and passion for fitness, I felt lost without a workout plan in place. I’d definitely recommend her to anyone looking weekly check ins and advice on their fitness/ nutritional journey.
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Samantha Townshend
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Working with Laura from Laura Caddy Lifts has helped me make changes with the way I eat and exercise which has helped me drop 2 dress sizes in a couple of months and to really enjoy working out from home, I’ve really valued the support and encouragement from Laura, nothing is to much and when I need that extra support she always there. I’d definitely recommend them to anyone looking for that all round support from strength training to toning and help with meals
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Miranda W
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Laura has been amazing. For about 5+ years I have 'thought' I could do this I could do that' to just increase my fitness level and get my snacking under control. Laura's helped me make that happen! Within two months or so I am soooo much more energetic, I am doing amazing work outs, eating so well, and feeling good! Everything is manageable and I'm actually doing it rather than thinking about it or starting tomorrow. She's really realistic and listens and helps you fit good habits in which mean you don't even notice your old habits have gone. 5 years of thinking about it, 2 months in and its happening!
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Nicola Coxon
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Laura is a fantastic PT, she has helped me lose 1 stone in 8 weeks! Great workout program which she is happy to change to fit in with your schedule and abilities, also a great meal plan with so many easy to make and tasty meals that helps you stay on track and reach your weight loss goals. Laura is so supportive and goes above and beyond with all the support you need! I would highly recommend Laura to anyone who is looking to transform their body and their life.
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Danielle H
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Laura Caddy's approach has completely changed the way I think about fitness. I used to see working out as a chore, and struggled to fit it into my day. But Laura's style is very flexible and completely tailored around my goals. She sets achievable targets and incorporates my favourite foods into the meal plan. Working with Laura has taught me the importance of consistency over perfection. By showing up consistently I'm seeing real results. I used to write off a whole week if I couldn't fit in a perfect workout, but now I realise that I'm on a journey and taking steps is the most important thing! - Thank you so much Laura!
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Lucy James
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I’m a busy mum of 2 who works full time and I’ve been working with Laura for a few months now. I can’t recommend her programme enough, she wrote me a bespoke home workout that I can fit around my schedule and the food plan is really easy to follow. I am in the best shape I’ve ever been in and the accountability check ins were a god send! If you’re looking for some support you need Laura in your life!
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Elizabeth Galpin profile picture
Elizabeth Galpin
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Laura has been so supportive and lovely from day one. She’s always there if I have any questions and the app is easy to use with exercises tailored to my needs and great recipes to follow. Thank you for helping me on my journey to become fitter and healthier
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