Simple Gym Equipment and Simple Exercises Simply Work

(This quick article is showing the proof is in the pudding, supporting what I spoke about in this article: https://www.30minutephysique.com/post/training-with-minimal-equipment-is-not-complicated)

Guess what? As per usual, my last 3 sessions have included exclusively dumbbell or kettlebell exercises.

Push Day on Sunday: dumbbell see saw overhead presses, weighted pushups (dumbbells attached around my back via lifting belt), dumbbell skull crushers, dumbbell lateral raises.

Leg day on Monday: Bulgarian split squats with dumbbells (or kettlebells), 1 hand kettlebell swings (this is alternated every 3 sessions with single leg hip thrusts or single leg RDLs with dumbbells or kettlebells), reverse lunges while holding dumbbells or kettlebells, offset calf raises while holding a dumbbell or kettlebell in one hand.

Pull day today (Tuesday): weighted pullups with dumbbell or kettlebell attached to dip belt, single arm dumbbell rows, concentration curls with dumbbell, seated dumbbell shrugs.

This stuff isn't complicated. A pullup bar or rings, an adjustable bench, and a nice pair of adjustable dumbbells OR a handful of kettlebells go a LONG ways.

You don't NEED barbells, speciality bars, a squat rack, or bunch of machines (even though those things can be nice to have).

Access to too many options can be a detrimental distraction. Decision fatigue, constantly swapping exercises, stressing about what exercise variation with what equipment is most optimal — these things can ALL interfere with your ability to make progress.

Use simple equipment. Progressively overload on a small number of key exercises with that equipment. When progress stalls for awhile, switch to another exercise variation that can also be done with simple, basic equipment like dumbbell and bodyweight exercises.

For the record, the last 2 sessions I did in a commercial gym (where I work) and had access to any equipment I could imagine. I stuck with these basic dumbbell/kettlebell and weighted calisthenics exercises because they bring me the most enjoyment AND the most success in MY training.

Even when I have access to more, I choose to stick with the basic, simple equipment options that I have at home. Simple equipment works best for me and my exercise needs and wants.

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