Fitness Essentials: What You Really Need to Start

Navigating the world of fitness gear can be overwhelming, with social media often promoting quick fixes and expensive equipment. Experts Matt Wood and Moni Meredith break down the essentials for building a practical fitness routine without breaking the bank.

Building Your Fitness Foundation

Before investing in gear, experts advise starting with introspection. Moni Meredith, founder of ShadowCamp, suggests assessing your personal circumstances. “Start by looking at your actual life,” she recommends. “Your schedule, your environment, your hurdles. Time, budget, injury, kids, confidence, motivation. Be honest about the kind of support you actually need — physically and mentally. That clarity shapes the best starting point for you.”

Matt Wood, a senior lecturer and registered clinical exercise physiologist, emphasizes envisioning your future self. “Most people want to build or maintain good health and wellbeing habits to enable them to enjoy what they like to do,” he notes. People often struggle with understanding what effective exercise looks like or how to progress over time, frequently abandoning generic guidelines due to a lack of personalized strategies.

Smart Investments for Your Workout

Instead of costly equipment, Wood recommends prioritizing personalized professional advice and initial instruction. “The key is to develop a sound applied skill-set that is supported by tailored behavioural strategies, including support from friends and family.” This tailored approach ensures your plan aligns with your current fitness level and environment, focusing on mobility, flow, and proper technique.

For cardio enthusiasts, Wood suggests that while specialized equipment isn’t always necessary, a GPS heart rate watch can enhance motivation and tracking. “Some people are highly motivated by tracking physical metrics and enjoy sharing activities with others via social exercise apps such as Strava,” he says.

Weight Training Essentials

When it comes to resistance training, Meredith favors dumbbells, particularly adjustable sets for long-term value. She points out that affordable dial-up sets can sometimes be cumbersome. Retailers like The Warehouse and Kmart offer accessible, solid options. For those concerned about grip, gloves can provide extra support.

Wood highlights that bodyweight exercises like calisthenics are effective, but require progressive modification for continued adaptation. He recommends affordable home equipment such as adjustable dumbbells or resistance bands. Adjustable weights, costing under $100, offer versatility and durability, allowing users to increase resistance as they get stronger.

Mobility and Footwear

Resistance bands, or TheraBands, are highly effective for engaging stabilizing muscles and are recommended by Moni Meredith for warm-ups and mobility work. “Bands teach connection. Every kit needs one,” she states.

Proper footwear is vital for injury prevention and performance. Meredith emphasizes that shoe choice should be personalized to individual foot needs, whether it’s ankle support or cushioning. She also stresses the importance of replacing worn-out shoes, as they can affect alignment and balance. According to a study by the American Podiatric Medical Association, worn-out shoes can contribute to various foot and leg problems, impacting posture and gait (APMA, 2012).

Activewear: Feel Good, Perform Better

Comfortable and supportive activewear can significantly influence your workout experience. Meredith notes that while not strictly essential, the right attire can boost confidence. She advises prioritizing a supportive bra for posture and comfortable, moisture-wicking underwear. “Choose fabrics that support you — not trigger the noise. If it kicks off your insecurity, that lie will grow — don’t hand it the microphone,” she advises.

When selecting bottoms like tights or shorts, fit and comfort are paramount. Meredith suggests choosing based on personal body composition rather than trends. “Don’t hide in black by default. You’re not here to blend in — you’re here to remind yourself you’re strong, capable and deserve to take up space,” she encourages, advocating for choices that empower rather than diminish confidence.