Slambell Sport Set
$160 1 of 8
Debuting this past November, these sand-filled bags weigh 5, 10 and 15 pounds. With comfy rubber handles and straps on the bottom, they can be joined together to form hand weights of up to 60 pounds. Use them like any traditional dumbbell, kettlebell or medicine ball, or attach them to a SlamBar ($25) for a unique barbell. slambelltraining.com
Gaiam Total-Body Balance Ball Kit
$25, with DVD & pump 2 of 8
A staple in gyms and yoga studios, this kit can be a base on which to do strengthening exercises—targeting under-developed areas like the hamstring, oblique, and pectoral muscles—as well as a stretching and postural-correction tool. Choose ball size based on your height. gaiam.com
The Lebert Equalizer
$120, with instructional DVD 3 of 8
A cross between a hurdle and a bike rack, these eight-pound metal bars are slightly over 28 inches high and 25 inches wide. Use them as an ersatz chinup/pullup bar and for a bevy of exercises targeting arms, chest, back, and core muscles. Lay them on their side for lateral movement, speed, and agility drills. lebertfitness.com/
Ultimate Sandbag Power Package
$100+, with DVD 4 of 8
Despite looking more like carry-on luggage than fitness gear, this package lets you do more than the Overhead Compartment Hoist. Thanks to six handles—one at each end, a pair on the side, and a pair on top—you can lug, toss, pull, heave, and lift this adjustable-weight bag to build strength and challenge stability. ultimatesandbagtraining.com
BOSU Balance Trainer
$110, with DVD 5 of 8
BOSU has been around for more than a dozen years for good reason: Standing on either the flat or rounded side, you improve your stability and balance doing exercises on it. Formerly ho-hum moves, like a biceps curl or lat raise, suddenly become challenging. bosu.com
Hyperwear SandBell
$8 to $100 6 of 8
More comfortable to grip than a dumbbell and less cumbersome than a weighted ball, the Hyperwear SandBells are made from thick, stretchy neoprene and available in 2- to 50-pound-capacity versions. You can buy them prefilled or supply your own sand (available at any home improvement store). hyperwear.com
Heavy Lifting In a Pinch
Look around your home for makeshift weights. 7 of 8
- Large can of plum tomatoes: 1.75 lbs - Bottle of Tide (100 fl. oz.): 7.5 lbs - Gallon jug of water: 8.35 lbs - Gallon jug filled with sand: 12.5 lbs - Average 9-month-old baby: 20 lbs - Bag of dry dog food: 33 lbs - Bag or box of kitty litter: 42 lbs
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