Tag: staysafe

Introduction

Starting out as a personal trainer can feel expensive.

You’ve invested in your course, your insurance, and maybe even gym rent. Then comes the next challenge, what personal training equipment do you actually need to get started?

The good news is, you don’t need loads of kit.

In fact, with less than £100, you can build a simple, portable personal training equipment setup that allows you to deliver high-quality sessions anywhere, whether that’s in a park, at home, or in a studio.

Below are five essential pieces of personal training equipment every new PT should own.

Interval Timer

An interval timer is one of the most underrated pieces of personal training equipment, but it can completely transform how professional your sessions feel.

You can use it for HIIT workouts, controlling rest periods during strength training, or timing mobility and stretching work. Instead of constantly checking the clock, you can focus fully on coaching your client.

Benefits:

• Keeps sessions structured and professional
• Allows you to focus on coaching rather than timing
• Suitable for strength, conditioning, and mobility work

Most interval timers cost between £10 and £20, or you can use a free app on your phone when starting out.

Suspension Trainer

A suspension trainer is one of the most versatile pieces of personal training equipment you can own, especially if you are coaching outside of a gym environment.

It allows you to train the entire body using just bodyweight, making it ideal for beginners through to advanced clients. You can use it for warm-ups, strength work, mobility, and even rehabilitation-style exercises.

In my experience, this is one of the most useful tools when training clients at home, outdoors, or in small spaces.

Benefits:

• Full body training with minimal equipment
• Ideal for home, outdoor, or mobile PT sessions
• Easily adjustable for all fitness levels

You can find quality budget options online from around £30.

Kettlebell Set

Kettlebells are one of the most effective and versatile types of personal training equipment available.

With just one or two kettlebells, you can build strength, improve conditioning, and teach powerful movement patterns like hinges, squats, and presses. They are also brilliant for combining strength and cardio in one session.

They are easy to transport and fit perfectly in the boot of your car, making them ideal for mobile personal trainers.

Benefits:

• Combines strength and conditioning in one tool
• Great for teaching functional movement patterns
• Portable and easy to store

A light set ranging from 2 kg to 8 kg is more than enough for most beginners and can be purchased for around £30.

Resistance Bands

Resistance bands are arguably the most cost-effective personal training equipment you can buy.

They are lightweight, portable, and incredibly versatile. You can use them for warm-ups, muscle activation, rehabilitation work, and full-body strength training.

They are especially useful for training the back through rowing and pulling movements, which can be difficult to replicate without larger equipment.

Benefits:

• Extremely affordable and portable
• Great for activation, strength, and rehab work
• Perfect for home or outdoor sessions

A full set of resistance bands can cost as little as £10, making them a must-have for any new personal trainer.

Boxing Mitts and Focus Pads

Boxing mitts and focus pads are a brilliant addition to your personal training equipment, especially if you want to make sessions more engaging and enjoyable.

Pad work is great for cardiovascular fitness, coordination, and stress relief. In my experience, nearly every client enjoys it, regardless of their fitness level.

It also adds variety to your sessions and helps build a strong client-coach connection.

Benefits:

• Fun and engaging for clients
• Excellent for cardio and coordination
• Adds variety to sessions

You can pick up a decent set of gloves and pads for around £15, which makes this a low-cost, high-impact addition to your kit.

Final Thoughts on Personal Training Equipment

When you are starting out, it is easy to think you need loads of personal training equipment to be successful.

You don’t.

What matters most is your ability to coach, communicate, and deliver results. The right small selection of equipment simply helps you do that more effectively.

With a budget of around £100, you can build a solid personal training equipment setup that allows you to coach confidently in almost any environment.

Next Steps

If you are thinking about becoming a personal trainer, or want to build the confidence to coach clients effectively, having the right personal training equipment is just the start.

The real difference comes from knowing how to use it to get results.

Explore our personal training courses at Storm Fitness Academy or fill out the contact form if you would like guidance on your next step.