I get a lot of questions (basically 2 or 3 total) about the equipment I use to do my at-home workouts. For the past several months, my workouts have exclusively been Beachbody workouts (T25, 21 Day Fix Extreme and P90X3). Thus, the gear outlined in this post compliments these programs well (and I imagine other Beachbody programs as well).
1. Dumbbells. You need at least one set of dumbbells to complete many of the at home DVD programs. We have a set of Reebok adjustable dumbbells which, with the turn of a dial, can be adjusted from 10, 15, 20, and 25, lb dumbbells. Hopefully, as you progress through your workout program you become stronger and can lift heavier weights. I moved up to 10 lbs recently (from 5 lbs). We also have multiple sets of traditional dumbbell pairs for quick access, as some of the workouts move quickly, so it is helpful to have the dumbbells ready to go.
2. Mat. Our workout area is carpeted. Rather than ruin our carpet by covering it in sweat, we decided to purchase a nice area mat for the workout room. After extensive research, we decided to purchase a cardio mat from Square36. Based on their FAQs and reviews on Amazon, a lot of people use their mats for completing Beachbody workouts. The mat is 6' x 6' (Square 36 sells a 8' x 6' extra large mat). The mat is constructed with high quality materials and is made in the USA. The mat helps reduce impact on your knees when you are trying to do jump-knee-tucks or some other crazy exercise during one of the workout programs.
3. Pull-up bar. For some readers, pulling themselves out of bed is an accomplishment. If you are looking to get a workout in using one of Beachbody's programs, you will likely need a pull-up bar. You can purchase a pull-up bar that hangs over your door frame. I previously purchased one from Perfect Fitness, but our door frames are too high to use it (plus over time the door frame bars will likely wear on the door frame). We purchased an ingenious device made in the U.K. called Pull Up Mate. The Pull Up Mate is well constructed and is easy to assemble and disassemble. We hang a pull-up assist on it as well (because doing an actual pull-up is hard).
4. Push-up bars. If you sit at a computer all day, your wrists likely hurt. Doing push-ups doesn't help your cause. I purchased these CAP Barbell Push up bars which add more stability to the push up and take strain off of the wrists.
5. Resistance Bands. Although I do not use them as often as the items above, we purchased a set of Bodylastics resistance bands. The bands range in resistance (in lbs). In many cases you can substitute a band for dumbbells. The Bodylastics set also comes with a door anchor to exercises like a pull-up.
Now just make sure that you spread out the purchases;additional research of these items while you are at work. You don't want to appear as though all you do all day is surf the internet.