The fun parts of winter, seeing family, the time off, is coming to a close. Now you realize youve put on an extra 5 pounds in the last few weeks, and its such a pain dragging yourself to the gym in 20-degree weather.

And its even worse after your workout when you have to get back out into the cold, completely drenched in sweat, to make your way home.

Lets forget all that.

Instead, make your life easier and create a minimalist home gym right in your house.

Insider Picks has put together the essentials that youll need — without sacrificing the intensity of a regular gym.

Amazon Perfect Fitness Ab Carver Pro

Regular sit-ups and push-ups are fine, but if you want to turn your home into a mini gym, we recommend stacking up with some of these tools. The Ab Carver Pro will work your abs and arms better than regular sit-ups because youll have to work on balancing as well.

You can amp up ab workouts by doing them on stability balls. And bonus points: it doubles as a chair that will help with your posture.

Amazon 2000lbs Anti Burst Exercise Stability Ball

Standing on a fitness cushion disc will help work your balance and stability. Make sure to stand on it with slightly bent knees.

Similar to fitness cushion disc, but these are thick and not-inflatable. Just trying doing squats on them. (Be careful not to roll your ankle.)

Amazon ProSource Solid Cast Iron Kettle Bell Weights

Stretching is important — especially because it prevents injuries. Get yourself some stretch bands to help stretch out the tighter parts. Its a good idea to have various levels of stretchiness (more stretchy for where youre less flexible, and vice versa).

Amazon Perfect Fitness Weight Vest, 20-Pound

If you think your basic push-ups, lunges and squats are easy — these things are for you.

A fitness vest adds an extra however-many-you-want pounds to your core, which will add intensity to everything you do. We recommend going for the 20-pound if youve never used one before.

Similar to the vest, except — naturally — for the ankles. Wear them while doing lunges, leg lifts, or V-sit ups for extra resistance.

Fitness bands (also called resistance bands) are a great way to strengthen isolated muscle groups — which is something that  cant be done  with weight machines. Bonus: theyre light and easy to take with you on business trips, so you can even work out with them in your hotel room.

Amazon SPRI Xertube Resistance Band Exercise Cords

SPRI Xertube Resistance Band Exercise Cords  | Amazon

Weighted gloves arent too heavy, so you could easily wear them during your entire work out to add a touch of resistance to any movement you do. Theyll act sort of like mini-weights, and help tone your arms.

Jumping rope is an extremely underrated exercise — its not easy, and its great for your heart. Plus, just like the resistance bands, jump ropes are extremely portable.

Amazon HemingWeigh Extra Thick Foam Exercise Mat

Many exercises are done on the floor — but no one wants to end a workout with bruises all over their elbows, knees and tailbone. Getting an exercise mat is a great way to protect your body.

Yoga has officially gone mainstream, and if you want to keep up your practice at home, youre going to need your own mat. (Plus, if you go to a yoga studio as well, just bring your own mat instead of pre-used one. Gross.)

Amazon Perfect Fitness Scale Pro

Theres one sure-fire way to see how much (or how little) progress youve made. Invest in a scale — numbers dont lie.

The cooling towel is a life saver. Not only does it keep you dry, but the cooling effect will keep you from overheating during workouts. Plus, its made of evaporative material.

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