One of the biggest struggles and frustrations that came with the pandemic early on, especially for those who are active, was the fact that gyms had to close down. Without any means to get a proper workout fix, a lot of people turned to the Internet to find equipment that they could use at home to stay active. Even people who weren’t active to begin with saw the importance of good health during these difficult times and started stocking up on equipment.

If you are looking to get some equipment together for your own home gym and don’t know where to begin, here are 7 online stores for you to check out.

Slowly Build Your Home Gym with These 8 Must-Have Products

Wrist and Ankle Weights from Gymgal

Website: http://www.gymgal.ph

Instagram: @gymgalph

Sisters-in-law Shelly and Gianina came up with the idea of Gymgal during the Enhanced Community quarantine (ECQ). Before the pandemic, they liked to work out and try new classes from riding to rowing to Barre to boxing. However, during the lockdown, they found it hard to motivate themselves to exercise regularly. After discovering these pretty bangles, they simply had to try them! Despite being in different stages in life, they both found different ways to use these bangles to tone their arms and legs. That’s when they decided to share this discovery with others who love pretty and functional home workout items.

Unlike the boring wrist and ankle weights normally found in sports stores, Shelly and Gianina made sure theirs are in pretty lively colors to give you that extra motivation to workout. Their signature bangle weights are made of eight steel bars coated with high-quality silicone so that they evenly distribute weight around your wrists and ankles. The best part is that you can use these weights for different kinds of workouts and with different kinds of outfits. You can even wear them while doing your daily chores!

Ultra Thin Foldable Yoga Mats from Shop Cringely

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ShopCringely

Instagram: @shopcringely

The idea for Shop Cringely came about not long after quarantine started when they started their fitness journey to make good use of their time at home. After buying their first yoga mat, they were surprised by how heavy the mat was – something that wasn’t comfortable to carry around. Since they had seen thinner options for yoga mats abroad, they spoke to several suppliers and designers to come up with the final product that they offer today: thin and colorful yoga mats with small travel bags.

These yoga mats are perfect for people who are always on the go or simply want a lighter and more convenient option to regular yoga mats. Shop Cringely’s mats are foldable and super thin without sacrificing on comfort or grip. You might even forget that you’re carrying a mat when you carry these around!

Foam Rollers from Manila Athletica

Website: http://www.manilaathletica.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Manila.Athletica

Instagram: @manila.athletica

They also have jump ropes, kettlebells, dumbbells, bands, core sliders, and slam balls!

Since gyms had to close due to the pandemic, Aencille Santos decided to invest in workout gear in order to train in the safety of her own home. When she realized that many others were in the same boat, but didn’t know where or how to begin; she got inspired to educate people that they don’t need a fancy gym membership or elaborate fitness gear in order to start or continue their fitness journey during quarantine.

You can find the right fit for your fitness journey at Manila Athletica, where fitness is within reach. Their roster of products is simple, straightforward, and easy to use. Plus, they come in bright and unique colorways alongside their classic black and grays so you can have a more fun time working out at home. No matter what fitness level you are at, they have something for everyone – and the best part is that you can enjoy their affordable equipment at home or take them with you anywhere.

If you are a beginner who doesn’t know where to start, their customer service goes the extra mile by offering basic advice on which gear you should try first, depending on your goals. They will also remind you that consulting a fitness professional is the best and safest way to achieve your goals. Make sure to join their mailing list for exclusive offers, too!

Resistance Tubes from MyFitPad

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MyFitPad

Instagram: @myfitpad

They also have adjustable booty bands, ab rollers, digital jump ropes, and activewear!

MyFitPad is owned by Alejandro Ilano and Kyra Porciuncula, two engineers who started a business because of their dedication to their fitness lifestyle even during the pandemic. When gyms closed, they found it hard to continue their weight training since regular weights are very expensive; so they decided to get the same results at a lower price from resistance training. When they discovered how effective it is, they started MyFitPad to share the same experience with other gym-goers, proving that you can get the same gains at home.

MyFitPad’s products are travel-friendly and easy to set up, so you can use them anytime anywhere. Their resistance bands, for example, come in a handy pouch and can literally be used wherever you may be. “We honestly believe that our products are the best value-for-money home gym products in the market,” they state. MyFitPad also prioritizes quality customer service, aftercare, and fitness assistance should you ever need it, so you can really make the most of your purchases.

Fitness Bands from Wandergym

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wandergym

Instagram: @wandergym

They also have jump ropes, dumbbells, and yoga mats!

Wandergym was founded by best friends Keith and Melissa, who are both very passionate about sports and travel. Before the pandemic, they enjoyed various physical activities like CrossFit, scuba diving, freediving, hiking, biking, and running. They also traveled a lot. During their travels, however, they encountered some places that didn’t have accessible gyms or workout equipment, so they made use of random objects to workout with. That’s when they thought: “Why don’t we come up with a brand that has travel-friendly and compact exercise gear for people like us who love to travel and still workout?” When the same problem materialized during the implementation of the first lockdown last March, Wandergym came to life.

Wandergym is inspired by their love and passion for nature, exploration, sports, and adventure. Although they initially just wanted their own compact workout gear for when they travel, their new mission is to find ways to make home workouts fun for everyone stuck in quarantine. Now, we can all stay fit, healthy, and strong so that we can do the things we love when things go back to normal.

All of Wandergym’s products are affordable, practical, fun to use, cute, compact, easy to store, eco-friendly, skin-friendly, and of great quality! They are all personally curated by Keith and Melissa, who truly enjoy fitness and are mindful of the environment and of health. Wandergym isn’t just a fitness gear brand, though; it is a community hoping to inspire people to make fitness a fun and enjoyable part of their lives. “We want to inspire people to stay fit and healthy, look great, feel great, and bring out the best version of themselves,” they add.

Hand Grips from Manly Womanly

Website: http://www.womanlymanlyactivewear.com

Instagram: @manly_womanly

They also have glute bands, jump ropes, wraps, gloves, activewear, and biking gear!

Manly started 50 whole years ago – right at the peak of the Martial Law era – to promote and boost local products. Its spin-off, Womanly, came to life in 2014 when they felt the need to cater to the specific needs and demands of women, as well. Today, their products are carefully crafted and handpicked to fit the demand and trends of the fitness industry. Every product is carefully studied, and their support and protective gear is customized according to people’s orthopedic needs.

Manly’s products are of top quality and are available at affordable prices. “We have always believed in making sure our products are readily available to and affordable for all Filipinos,” they explain. Manly’s relationship with their customers is also top-notch – tried and tested! They are quick and eager to answer any questions you might have. Read our article on their support gear here.

Flexiclick Adjustable Dumbbells from Bert’s PH

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BertsGymPH

Instagram: @bertsgymessentials

They also have benches, bars, plates, dumbbell stands, and cages!

Bert’s Online Home Gym Essentials PH started during the pandemic as a passion project of a group of close friends – Matthew, Smilleon, and Kevin – who were looking for way to turn their interest in working out into a business. When gyms were forced to shut down because of COVID-19, they saw the need and demand for practical and efficient home gym equipment. They hope to cater to all kinds of people, no matter where they are in their fitness journey, with the mission of providing quality athletic equipment with the best value and service.

When choosing their products, Bert’s PH personally gauged the most essential and in-demand products by analyzing and researching people’s wants and needs for home gym equipment. They also made sure that all of their products are multi-functional, affordable, and easy to use.

Their major products lines are Flexilick and Ironclad. The Flexiclick Adjustable Dumbbells seen above are great space savers and make every workout session ultra convenient. All you have to do is twist the knobs to the weight range that you want to work with, and then lift them out of their stand to begin your workouts – easy peasy! Bert’s PH is the only local online seller that offers a 3-month warranty for them, as well. For more experienced gym lifters, make sure to check out their Ironclad products!

4-in-1 Modular Free Weight Set from The Coach Potato PH

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheCoachPotato

Instagram: @thecoachpotatoph

The Coach Potato PH started with two friends trying to stay in shape during quarantine. Although they wouldn’t say they are total gymheads, not being able to work out during the first few months of quarantine really took a toll on their physical and mental health. Inspired to improve our physical and mental health during these trying times, they wanted to get their hands on functional and practical exercise equipment for home use. Believing that they weren’t the only ones with these sentiments, they set out to find a way to fulfill this need. They found the solution in Feierdun Modular Free Weights and brought it to the Philippines – and thank God they did! It is literally the perfect companion for any home gym user.

The Coach Potato PH hopes to share the benefits of exercise to as many people as possible, even those who aren’t gym buffs. That’s why they have such a relatable mascot. Patrick the Potato (inspired by a certain pink starfish) aims to show that anyone can start their fitness journey, and they can do so with these handy free weights that can be turned into four kinds of equipment: dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells, and push-up stands.

They come in different weight configurations between 10 to 40 kilograms, too, and you can choose a half set or a full set depending on your home gym needs. Trust me: they are well worth the money! The Coach Potato PH shares that they also have plans to expand their product line in the future, and we can’t wait to see what they’ll have in store for us!

Read our full article on The Coach Potato here.

Which items have you added to your home gym and where did you get them? We’d love to discover new stores!

Got any products you’d like us to feature? Email me at angeline.wheninmanila@gmail.com or send me a direct message at When in Manila Angeline on Facebook. Interact with the team and join the WhenInManila.com Community at WIM Squad! Join our WhenInManila.com community on Viber, as well!