Sitting for long hours at the desk? Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Pushkar Chawla shares how to protect the back and spine Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 13:58:18 IST By Debapriya Bhattacharya Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Poor posture at work can lead to problems with the back and the spine
A patient once told me that her blood sugar reading in the morning was higher than the one she had taken after dinner the night before. She hadn’t eaten a single thing. “How is this even possible?" she asked. “I haven’t had breakfast yet." That question comes up in my clinic almost every
Step inside the regal Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad, where a one-night stay will cost you ₹4 lakh: Watch Updated on: Aug 24, 2026, 14:06:37 IST By Krishna Pallavi Priya Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link A look inside the Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad
Every year at about this point in the rains, the same sequence plays out. Outpatient departments fill with feverish patients, a city announces a jump in confirmed cases, television rediscovers the phrase “swine flu," and within a fortnight the anxiety has moved on to something else
‘Walking is one of the most underrated things’: Geriatric doctor says you don't need to join a gym to start exercising Published on: Aug 24, 2026, 10:52:55 IST By Eshana Saha Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Read more to find out why walking is an underrated form of exercise! (Unsplash)
Building a home gym? Fitness expert suggest 6 strength training equipment

Strength training is a practical way to manage weight, protect muscle mass, and support long-term health. With rising awareness of metabolism support and injury prevention, more people are opting for simple strength training equipment that fits easily into small spaces. So that they no longer need a fully loaded gym to stay active or build strength consistently at home.
This shift has led to the “living room workout” trend, where a few well-chosen strength training tools are enough for effective results, whether you exercise in a garage or a spare bedroom.
Fitness expert Sumit Dubey, founder of Sumit Dubey Fitness (SDF), tells Health Shots that strength training is most effective when equipment is minimal, practical, and easy to use regularly.
The expert suggests that one adjustable dumbbell pair can replace multiple fixed weights, helping save space, reduce clutter, and keep home workouts cost-effective. He suggests that it is ideal for natural movement exercises, such as bicep curls, lunges, rows, and chest presses. These movements support balanced strength and help engage stabiliser muscles, making adjustable dumbbells a practical choice for full-body training at home.
Resistance bands provide a steady pull through the entire range of motion, engaging muscles differently than dumbbells. Fitness expert Sumit says, "Resistance bands are incredible for activating stabiliser muscles and improving mobility. They're versatile, portable, and perfect for every fitness level."
How to use: Stretch these thin strips for warm-ups, recovery sessions, or to add variety to your routine. When done, they tuck away easily in any small space, making them a practical choice for home workouts.
Kettlebells come with unique shape shifts that challenge your balance, forcing your core and stabilising muscles to work harder with every lift, swing, or hold. “Kettlebells are perfect for building functional strength. The off-centre weight challenges your core and improves real-life movement efficiency," says the expert.
How to use: Start with one manageable weight, master the movements, and gradually progress. The extra effort strengthens your midsection, resulting in improved performance in daily activities such as lifting, carrying, or bending.
Pull-up bars provide instant engagement for your back, shoulders, arms, and core, making them a versatile tool for upper-body strength. Sumit says, "A pull-up bar is one of the simplest yet most effective tools for building upper-body strength and core stability. It scales easily for beginners to advanced users."
How to use: Beginners can start with dead hangs or assisted pulls, while advanced users can progress to muscle-ups or add extra resistance. Compact and doorway-friendly, it brings a full range of upper-body exercises into your home gym.
Suspension trainers use your own body weight for resistance, offering a full-body workout that is highly portable and adaptable. Fitness expert Sumit explains: “Suspension trainers are excellent for building strength, stability, and coordination. The slight instability activates small stabiliser muscles that traditional machines often miss.”
How to use: Adjust your body angle to modify difficulty, lean back for tougher rows, and elevate your feet for more challenging push-ups. The wobble in the straps engages deeper muscles, making it a compact yet powerful tool for home workouts.
Barbells and weight plates are the gold standard for progressive strength training, allowing you to increase weight and track your gains effectively, gradually. “Barbells are unmatched for building foundational strength. Focusing on big lifts like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses ensures real, long-term muscle development,” adds Sumit.
How to use: Start with manageable weights and focus on core lifts. Olympic plates make progression smooth, letting you safely add weight as your strength improves. Ideal for building full-body strength from day one.
Fitness expert Sumit says, “Home workouts do not need to drain your savings. So, begin slowly and grab a gear that is suited to your current level. When muscles adapt, add more tools piece by piece. He says what matters most is the gear you reach for every day. Pick it carefully. Stick with it. See how much stronger you get over time.”
Walking pad for fitness at home: 6 top-rated Amazon India options to stay active without the gym
5 top-rated exercise bikes for home to stay active, burn calories, and boost fitness in 2026
Start with essentials like dumbbells, resistance bands, kettlebells, a pull-up bar, a suspension trainer, and a barbell with weight plates.
Yes, start with lighter weights or assisted exercises and gradually increase intensity as strength improves.
No, these items are compact and suitable for small rooms, garages, or living spaces.
Yes, they support strength, core stability, flexibility, and metabolism, making home workouts an effective option.
Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, concerning the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
Source: HindustanTimes
Related Posts: strength training equipments,adjustable dumbbells,strength training,home gym,resistance bands
There are few things as satisfying as biting into a buttery, flaky almond croissant, especially when you get that rich almond flavour, creamy frangipane filling and slightly crisp, toasted edges in every bite. But when a croissant craving hits and you don’t have a bakery run planned—or all the
11 hours ago
Erling Haaland debuts new buzz haircut after chopping his iconic blonde locks: ‘+999 missed calls from shampoo company’ Updated on: Aug 24, 2026, 08:58:32 IST By Krishna Pallavi Priya Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Erling Haaland debuts a fresh, new buzz cut
11 hours ago
Parents should check medicine labels carefully before giving cough or cold remedies to young children. The Union Health Ministry has restricted all fixed-dose combination medicines containing chlorpheniramine maleate and phenylephrine hydrochloride from being used in children below four years of
11 hours ago
Tandoori chicken should be smoky and seared on the outside, yet juicy and tender on the inside. But it can often turn out dry, rubbery and lacking flavour, even when you’ve used all the right spices. The problem may not be the recipe itself, but a few small mistakes during preparation and cooking
1 days ago
Want to know how healthy your heart is? Cardiologist Dr Sanjay Bhojraj lists 9 blood tests for ‘cardiovascular risk’ Published on: Aug 23, 2026, 14:34:50 IST By Akanksha Agnihotri Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Dr. Bhojraj highlights nine blood tests to assess cardiovascular health
1 days ago
We tend to think of constipation as a plumbing problem: eat more fibre, drink more water, take isabgol and wait for things to move. For occasional constipation, that approach can be perfectly reasonable. But when constipation keeps returning despite these measures
1 days ago
Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women, but its biggest known cause is persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), which is closely linked to sexual transmission. While HPV itself is not caused by men
1 days ago
Chakra Horoscope Today, August 23, 2026: An obstacle does not necessarily mean you are on the wrong path Updated on: Aug 23, 2026, 14:49:03 IST By Kishori Sud Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Chakra Horoscope Today, August 23, 2026 (Pinterest) Daily Chakra Horoscope, August 23
1 days ago
Dahi vade may not be the first dish that comes to mind when planning a Sawan Somwar vrat menu, but Chef Sanjeev Kapoor’s fasting-friendly version gives the classic snack a clever twist. Instead of lentils, these vade are made with cooked barnyard millet, also known as sama or samak
1 days ago
59-year-old grandmother and Roadies 20 contestant Ashu Jain shares 5 hacks that helped her 'build gym habits that stick’ Published on: Aug 23, 2026, 10:12:34 IST By Sanya Panwar Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Ashu Jain is not just a grandmother — she's a 'hybrid athlete'
1 days ago
Could artificial intelligence compress decades of medical progress into just a few years? Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei believes advanced AI systems may soon transform how we fight cancer, Alzheimer’s and other major diseases. Amodei has predicted that AI-enabled biology could compress 50 to 100
1 days ago
Look out of an aircraft window as it descends into Chennai and the coastline is the first thing that catches your eye. A long blue-grey edge against the city, with the sea on one side and the sprawling city on the other. From up there, it looks permanent
1 days ago
Soha Ali Khan, along with her husband Kunal Khemu, is known for setting couple goals through their fitness content. The couple have consistently shared videos showing their workouts in the gym, how they parent their kids together, the healthy food they eat without compromising on taste
1 days ago
As Onam 2026 approaches, here is our curated guide from Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Chennai, Coimbatore, and Bengaluru covering everything from elaborate restaurant thalis to convenient takeaway sadya boxes. We consult chefs on how they are reimagining the traditional sadya; we ask celebrities how
1 days ago
Raksha Bandhan is all about celebrating the special bond between siblings. This year, show your siblings how much you mean to them and make the occasion sweeter by making everyone’s favourite kalakand at home. If you are looking for a festive dessert that is indulgent yet skips refined sugar
1 days ago
Thirty-nine-year-old Shivendra came in with what looked like an ordinary monsoon fever. Fifteen days later, he was still in hospital, only being discharged now after being diagnosed with H1N1-related pneumonia. His wife, Poonam, said the family did not take the fever seriously at first. “Actually
1 days ago
Postpartum pain is NOT just ‘normal’: Physiotherapist Muskan Rastogi reveals all about pelvic floor recovery Postpartum recovery involves more than just pain management; it includes pelvic floor rehabilitation to restore strength and reduce discomfort for new mothers. Published on: Aug 23, 2026
1 days ago
Dallas rapper BigXthaPlug has been arrested in the US state of Texas on charges of driving while intoxicated, possession of marijuana and illegal possession of a firearm. Allen County Police confirmed to BBC Newsbeat the 28-year-old, whose real name is Xavier Landum, was stopped on Friday
1 days ago
44-year-old fitness coach shares simple exercises that help her look ‘15 years younger’ Published on: Aug 22, 2026, 13:24:38 IST By Akanksha Agnihotri Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Fitness coach shares 4 simple exercises to improve posture and look more youthful. (Instagram/@sascha
2 days ago
The Madhya Pradesh Health Department has ordered a high-level medical and legal investigation after a 6 woman from Ujjain died following treatment at a private hospital in Indore. She had tested positive for H1N1 influenza, commonly called swine flu
2 days ago
No food after 6 pm to boxing: Inside Dua Lipa’s fitness routine and fasting rules for toned body on her 31st birthday Published on: Aug 22, 2026, 14:11:05 IST By Sanya Panwar Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Dua Lipa turned 31 on August 22, 2026
2 days ago
The DJ dropped the beat and 70 women started throwing punches. By the time the first kickboxing combination was called out, Moon Bar, a Visakhapatnam club had shed its weekend persona to turn into a makeshift fitness floor, with women punching, kicking
2 days ago
A couple of years ago, when Osman Abdul Razak was being fitted for a suit by Yuki Igarashi, founder of Japan-based menswear brand Lecteur, he recalls being struck by how neatly Yuki’s pins were arranged on his pin cushion. “As an onlooker there, I couldn’t help but analyse this precision
2 days ago
Baro Market is coming to Chennai with a pop-up bringing together fashion, craft, art, accessories and lifestyle products, with a focus on conscious living and handcrafted design. Curated by Srila Chatterjee, the showcase marks her third pop-up in the city
2 days ago
Step inside ₹200 crore royal residence in Hyderabad: Shaped like a scorpion and home to 'world's longest dining table' Published on: Aug 22, 2026, 10:22:41 IST By Sanya Panwar Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link The palace in the shape of a scorpion: Here's a virtual tour of the magnificent
2 days ago
On Fourth Trust Link Street at Santhome in Mylapore, a piece of vacant land cheek by jowl with a Greater Chennai Corporation-run middle school was being armtwisted every day into functioning as a garbage dumping spot by residents and passersby
2 days ago
Have high cholesterol? Nutritionist lists 9 heart-friendly cooking oil options Published on: Aug 22, 2026, 11:00:04 IST By Aayushi Gupta Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Cooking oils that may help manage cholesterol and support heart health
2 days ago