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"As an athlete, what you do outside of competitions can play directly into your performance. Many people used to believe that working out could be harmful to athletes, but that logic has changed over the years, with training becoming a major focus in every sport at a high level. Get better during the off-season or outside of regular training by using the best home gym equipment for athletes.\nCardio\nStamina is important for any athlete so they can compete for long periods and perform at their best when games or competitions come down to the wire. For cardio exercise, there are many pieces of equipment that can help athletes get stronger in this area.\nTreadmills\nCardiovascular health is vital to any sport, and one of the best ways to improve it is with a home gym treadmill. Take advantage of HIIT workouts already programmed in the machine to get yourself back in shape or maintain peak performance.\nStair Climbers\nStair climbers are another great piece of home equipment for any athlete. With a strength climber, you will not just strengthen your lower body, but you’ll also build your endurance so that you can still perform late in a game or competition.\nAgility Ladders\nFootwork is another component of sports that athletes need to focus on, and there’s no better way to improve dexterity and footwork than with ladder drills. By training with a ladder, you can take your speed and agility to another level.\nPlyo Boxes\nThe ability to explode from a starting mark is what can set you apart from your competition, and a Plyo box is one of the best tools for practicing explosive exercises. Box jumps and step-ups are just some of the many workouts you can do with a Plyo box that can benefit athletes.\nStrength\nAthletes shouldn&#39;t just strive to be faster—becoming bigger and stronger are also good goals to work toward. Building strength is vital for athletes because it can help them avoid injury. Here’s some equipment that can help.\nFunctional Machines\nIn terms of strength building, the perfect piece of equipment that lets you do a ton of workouts is a functional machine. Cable rows and deltoid lifts are just some of the great exercises an athlete can do with a functional machine, especially since the control of the machine offers less of a risk for injury than free weights.\nSquat Rack\nThere’s no better exercise for an athlete in any sport than squats, but to do them, you will need a squat rack of some kind to build the lower body. However, if you are looking for an option that puts less pressure on the joints, a Smith machine can be just as beneficial, especially if you are recovering from an injury.\nWeight Benches\nThere are a variety of uses athletes can get out of weight benches beyond chest workouts. A bench is also great for abs, triceps, step-ups, and more, which is why it’s such an important piece of equipment for athletes to have in a home gym.\nWeights\nIn addition to all these types of home gym equipment, there are also several types of weights that athletes can use. These weights include plates, dumbbells, and kettlebells. When you have these three types of weights, the possibilities are endless for the kinds of workouts you can do to improve your performance.\nBarbells\nWith a squat rack, you will want to make sure you get yourself a barbell, but that’s not the only reason to have one. Bent over rows, deadlifts, power cleans, and landmines are also workouts that are great for athletes and will require a barbell and weight plates.\nStability Balls\nBalance is also an important aspect of any sport, and a great way to build your balance, in addition to working your core, glutes, back, and other areas of your body, is with a stability ball. On a stability ball, you can do crunches, bench presses, and other fitness routines.\nBattle Ropes\nMore and more athletes have been finding a place for battle ropes in their fitness routine, and it’s hard to see why you wouldn&#39;t with all the benefits they offer. Battle ropes build endurance and strength with one workout that will improve your mobility and likely kick your butt.\nRecovery\nOutside of competition and practice, there’s nothing more important for athletes than recovery. Today, we now know more about our bodies than ever before, and to continue to perform at a high level, athletes need to be smart and utilize various methods of recovery.\nStretch Trainers\nA stretch trainer at home is a great way for athletes to improve their flexibility and coordination. A stretch trainer can help you avoid serious injury by loosening up any tight muscle groups after training.\nYoga Mats\nYoga has become instrumental for many athletes as well. There are many benefits of including yoga in your routine, and some of the big ones include help with the recovery process, improved flexibility, and increased strength.\nFoam Rollers\nFoam rollers are also a must-have accessory for athletes because they can roll out stiff muscles after a tough practice or game. Vigorous exercise can build up tension in the muscles, which is why any athlete could benefit from investing in a foam roller to relieve it.\nRubber Resistance Bands\nResistance training is great for working smarter, not harder. Power bands, ankle resistance trainers, and flat band rolls are great for both rehab and building strength by improving your movement in a safe manner that can still break a sweat.\nMassage Devices\nMany athletes also take advantage of massage devices to help relieve muscle soreness after games and competitions, allowing them to recover in a shorter amount of time. There are various massage devices available, such as the Hypervolt, Hypersphere, recover guns, and more. Athletes can also utilize a muscle massage bar to roll out stiff muscles in the neck, glutes, quads, calves, shins, and other areas.\nThere’s no telling when an injury can occur, and it’s usually something you can’t control. Using the best home gym equipment for athletes can reduce those chances and improve your performance, regardless of the sport you play. With many seasons currently on hold, now is the time to get better, and a major part of that is hitting the gym or—even more convenient—the home gym.\n"
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