If you’re running your own fitness business or perhaps planning to start one in the future, getting the right kit is fundamental to business success. Stephen Tongue takes you through the 5 essential pieces of kit for every personal trainer’s toolbox.
Whether you’re coaching one-to-one clients, running small group sessions or leading high-energy bootcamps, having the right tools to do the job can transform your client experience. There’s no shortage of options out there; trends in equipment do come and go but some pieces of kit will always prove to be classic and essential. The most valuable pieces in a personal trainer’s toolbox are those that offer versatility, scalability and measurable results. In this article, we explore five essential items that allow you to deliver safe, effective and engaging workouts across all levels of fitness.
1. Bench/step: Classic essential
A bench is an essential item to deliver on all the classic resistance training exercises that have proven themselves to be the bread and butter of results-based training. The right bench can also be adapted and used as a step, delivering a platform for leg strengthening, jumping and other cardio-based exercises. A favourite particularly for a mobile business is the Reebok Step, which can convert to a flat and upright bench. It’s small and light enough to go in a car and covers all bases for the traditional exercise library.
Why it’s a good choice:
- Light and portable
- Inexpensive, robust and long lasting
- Ideal for both individual and group settings
Three example exercises:
- DB chest press – Without a bench, the DB chest press just isn’t the same
- Box jump – The box jump is a results-enhancing, high-intensity exercise that needs a strong, sturdy platform for safe delivery
- DB Split Squat – A fundamental exercise delivering leg strengthening and stability that needs a good base to be delivered properly
2. Boxing pads and gloves: The best tool for engagement and interaction
After years in the fitness industry, if there is one tool that has always delivered on results, fun and interaction, it’s boxing pads. They are probably the most requested item from clients and, in many cases, clients haven’t been interested in anything else. This is a sound investment, guaranteed to bring sales.
Why it’s a good choice:
- Delivers fantastic intensity
- Teaches a skill, as well as getting results
- Builds a bond between trainer and client
Three example exercises:
- Boxing – Deliver the classic boxing drills
- Targeted strikes – Use with other equipment, such as ViPR, as a target to strike
- Abs – Use them during ground-based ab exercises to add power to the classic crunch, for example
3. Resistance bands: Compact and effective
Often underestimated, resistance bands are one of the most versatile tools a trainer can use. They come in various tensions and styles – loop bands, tube bands with handles, flat therapy bands – and they’re great for strength, mobility and rehab-focused work. They can make exercises that seem unachievable possible and exercises that are just too easy really intense.
Why it’s a good choice:
- Lightweight, inexpensive and perfect for travel or outdoor training
- Suitable for warm-ups, activation drills, strength circuits and recovery
- Provides variable resistance throughout the range of motion, unlike any other tool
Three example exercises:
- Band-resisted deadlift – Reinforces hip hinge mechanics while challenging the posterior chain under consistent tension
- Lateral band walks – Perfect for glute activation and improving lateral hip stability
- Banded press-ups – Making the humble press-up a beastly battle for superior strength
4. Adjustable dumbbells: Strength training staples
Dumbbells are the OG of fitness tools. They have stood the test of time and will continue to be a tool that no gym or trainer will ever go without. The fairly recent development of adjustable DBs is a handy twist on the classic. This means that an otherwise immobile full set of weights can be condensed down into the size of one pair and made portable. You can cater for a wide variety of strength capabilities in a wide variety of environments.
Why it’s a good choice:
- Enables progressive overload with incremental weight adjustments
- Facilitates bilateral, unilateral and multiplanar movements
- Provides tactile feedback for learning proper movement patterns
Three example exercises:
- Dumbbell Romanian deadlift – Strengthens the hamstrings, glutes and lower back while improving posture and hinge mechanics
- Renegade row – Combines a row with a plank, building back strength and core control
- Arnold press – A multi-angle shoulder press that enhances deltoid development and shoulder mobility
5. Mat and foam roller: The classic fitness self-care package
To deliver an all-round service, you need to address the softer side of results, which is effective rest and recovery. Self-massage with a foam roller can fix minor soft tissue injuries and faulty movement patterns, and rejuvenate fatigued legs. Mats are the classic space for stretching, helping clients to develop flexibility, posture and relaxation.
Why it’s a good choice:
- The perfect tools to address rest and recovery
- Inexpensive and mobile
- Used well, can deliver impressive results on movement restoration
Three example exercises:
- Calf foam roll – A restorer of ankle motion and recovery from running
- Downward dog – The yoga pose that everyone needs
- Plank – The Pilates classic that clients always request a comfy mat for
Bringing it all together
Each piece of equipment listed above offers not just utility, but versatility. When used together, they allow a personal trainer to design comprehensive programmes that span mobility, strength, cardio, power and recovery. Whether training beginners, athletes or older adults, these tools provide scalable options that make workouts engaging and effective.
It’s also worth noting that investing in a few high-quality items, rather than a roomful of gadgets, often leads to better results – for both trainers and clients. By mastering foundational tools, you build a reputation as a trainer who values high-quality products and great results. What essentials would you add to this list for every personal trainer’s toolbox?
Discover more about the personal trainer’s client experience in this FitPro blog. If you’re inspired by Stephen’s use of ViPR, check out his Loaded Movement Training CPD course.
