What equipment do I need to get started?Updated 2 months ago

Quick Answer

You do not need any equipment to get started with CENTR—many of our workouts are bodyweight (no-equipment) sessions that you can do anywhere. Equipment is completely optional, and you can filter workouts to match whatever gear you have available.

Bodyweight Workouts Available

CENTR offers hundreds of bodyweight workouts that require zero equipment:

• You can start training immediately without buying anything
• Perfect for working out at home, in a hotel, or anywhere with limited space
• Effective for building fitness, losing fat, and getting toned
• Available across all fitness levels (beginner through advanced)
• Includes HIIT, cardio, mobility, yoga, Pilates, and bodyweight strength

When browsing workouts, use the equipment filter to find bodyweight-only options.

Optional Equipment to Enhance Your Workouts

While not required, having some basic equipment can increase the variety of workouts available to you:

Minimal Equipment (Budget-Friendly)

Equipment you might consider to expand workout options:

• Dumbbells: Adjustable or fixed weight dumbbells for resistance training
• Resistance bands: Portable and affordable way to add resistance
• Yoga mat: Provides cushioning for floor exercises and stretching

These items are not essential, but they open up more workout variety without a major investment.

Expanded Home Gym Equipment

For those wanting more equipment options:

• Kettlebells: For swing, clean, and press movements
• Bench: Allows for more exercise variations with weights
• Boxing gloves and bag: For boxing and MMA workouts
• Jump rope: Great for cardio warm-ups
• Pull-up bar: For upper body pulling exercises

For Strength & Muscle Building Goals

If you set your goal to Build Strength or Gain Muscle, you'll get the best results with access to more equipment:

• Minimum required: Barbell, dumbbells, bench, and incline bench
• Recommended: Squat rack, weight plates, variety of dumbbell weights
• Why? These goals focus on progressive overload with heavier weights for muscle development

However, you can still do modified versions of strength workouts with limited equipment.

Household Item Substitutions

If you don't have weights or equipment, you can substitute household items for some workouts:

• Water bottles or cans: Use as light dumbbells for shoulder and arm exercises
• Backpack filled with books: Add weight for squats, lunges, or weighted carries
• Towel: Use for sliding exercises (like mountain climbers) or as resistance for stretching
• Chair or step: Use for step-ups, elevated push-ups, or tricep dips
• Wall: For wall sits, handstands, or modified push-ups

These substitutions work well for beginners or when you're traveling without access to equipment.

Using Equipment Filters

CENTR makes it easy to find workouts that match your equipment:

How to Filter Workouts

1. Navigate to the workout browser in the CENTR app or website
2. Select the equipment filter
3. Choose what you have available (no equipment, dumbbells only, full gym, etc.)
4. Browse workouts that match your selection

Setting Your Equipment Preferences

Save time by setting your equipment in your profile:

1. Go to your Profile in the CENTR app
2. Find the equipment settings (often under profile settings or preferences)
3. Add the equipment you have available
4. CENTR will automatically filter workout recommendations to match

You can update your equipment list anytime as you acquire new gear.

What Workout Styles Work Without Equipment?

Many popular CENTR workout types require zero equipment:

• HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training): Bodyweight cardio intervals
• Bodyweight strength: Push-ups, squats, lunges, planks
• Yoga: All levels of yoga practice
• Pilates: Mat-based Pilates workouts
• Dynamic yoga: Flowing movement sequences
• Mobility and stretching: Flexibility and recovery work
• Cardio conditioning: Running, jumping, and cardio movements

CENTR expert-led workouts range from 5 to 60 minutes, so you can find the right length and intensity regardless of equipment.

Equipment for CENTR-Branded Gear Owners

If you purchased CENTR equipment (like the FT2, CENTR Home Gym, or Recovery Kit), make sure to add it to your profile:

1. Open the CENTR app
2. Navigate to Profile Settings
3. Find "My Equipment" section
4. Add your CENTR equipment
5. The app will recommend workouts designed specifically for your gear

This ensures you get workouts that maximize your equipment investment.

Starting Without Equipment

If you're just getting started with CENTR and unsure what equipment (if any) to buy:

1. Start with bodyweight workouts - See what you enjoy and what challenges you
2. Follow your program - CENTR programs are designed to work with minimal equipment
3. Assess your needs - After a few weeks, you'll know if you want to add equipment
4. Buy gradually - Start with basics (dumbbells, mat) if you decide equipment would help
5. Don't wait to start - You can begin your fitness journey today with zero equipment

Common Questions

Do I need to buy equipment before starting CENTR?

No. You can start immediately with bodyweight workouts. CENTR has hundreds of no-equipment options that are highly effective for all fitness goals except muscle building, which specifically requires weights.

What if I only have light dumbbells?

That's perfect! Filter workouts for "dumbbells" and you'll find many options. You can also increase difficulty by adding more reps, slowing down tempo, or increasing time under tension.

Can I build muscle without equipment?

You can build some muscle with bodyweight training, especially if you're a beginner. However, the Gain Muscle goal specifically requires progressive overload with heavier weights for optimal results.

Need Help?

If you have questions about equipment options or finding the right workouts for what you have available, contact our support team at [email protected]. We can help you understand which workouts match your current setup.