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27 Fitness Items That’ll Help Parents Get Some Quick Movement In During Nap Time
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We hope you love our recommendations! While every product is independently chosen by our editors, BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. You can read more about how our affiliate partnerships work in our Editorial Standards & Ethics Guide. When nap time is our only chance to get a workout in, we gotta make the most of it. Promising reviews: "Nice addition to my home workout kit. Great for the core and very portable!" —Mark and Lynn "A versatile and durable tool for enhancing workouts. Its 9-inch size is perfect for Pilates, yoga, and barre exercises, helping to improve balance, core strength, and flexibility. The included fitness guide is helpful for beginners, and the ball's non-slip surface ensures stability during workouts. A great addition to any home gym!" —PMS Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in three colors). The kit comes with an ab roller, a foam knee mat, two resistance bands, two push-up grip bars, two wrist wraps, an 8-shaped resistance band, a jump rope, and a guidebook, so you'll be ready to hit the ground running as soon as this hits your doorstep. Promising reviews: "This is a very sturdy ab roller and the added push-up bars and resistance bands make this a great purchase to have a quick workout at home." —Edwin Morales "I was looking for an ab roller and saw this one that came with push-up bars, and went with it. This wheel is wide, and the handlebars are thick and comfortable to rest your hand on the bar while doing the exercise, and the wide wheel gives a good balance. Also, the knee pad is a bonus. This well-organized kit provides good equipment for beginners and routine users, it comes with a band that can be attached to the wheel which makes it easier to pull back. And the push-up bars are a great addition! I'm very happy with this purchase." —Abhishek Shah Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in two colors). BuzzFeed Shopping editor Genevieve Scarano says, "I work out at home a lot, so it's important for me to have an exercise mat that's cushy, sturdy, and easy to roll up and put away. I received this Gaiam yoga mat as a sample and really enjoy using it for yoga and Pilates! It's so comfortable to stand, sit, and lay down on, and I don't have to worry about sliding around, thanks to a grippy material. It's also fun to flip the sides (my mat above came with light blue and dark blue sides) — I've never had a yoga mat with this design before! And if you don't have a lot of space, no worries, because this mat rolls up to a compact size when you're done exercising." Promising review: "I got this mat for at-home fitness and yoga. I have a fancy mat for hot yoga classes but wanted something more low-key for other days of the week. This mat provides great cushion and is not slippery! I was surprised that it felt just as great as some of my more expensive mats. I would totally recommend it!" —P.J. Get it from Amazon for $22.89+ (available in two sizes, two thicknesses, and three colors). The mat is 24 inches wide, 68 inches long, and 5 millimeters thick! It's made with a moisture-wicking material that'll keep sweat at bay and is great for hot yoga, too. Promising reviews: "I love that it has basic poses on the mat. I do not have to watch the TV, I can do quick sessions with just my mat and block." —C.A Customer 1981 "I absolutely love this, and so does my 7-year-old! He and I enjoy doing the poses on the mat, and it helps me figure out which is being referred to by name. It's a great thickness, although I still use my kneeling pad for my old knees! Lol, this had no funny smells, was packaged securely, and arrived on time! As a beginner in the yoga world, this is perfect for staying on track and not feeling totally lost!! I would definitely buy again!" —NCgrowninPA Get it from Amazon for $31.60+ (available in two colors). Promising reviews: "This is just what I needed, I was really unhappy using a chair for my barre class. This is so perfect that it makes doing the home workout really enjoyable. Plus, it is so easy to fold flat and store in like one minute. LOVE." —KJG "I'll be honest, I bought this on a whim and then didn't put it together for months. I almost returned it because I hadn't used it, but I'm so glad I didn't. I LOVE THIS BARRE. I look forward to using it every day (and I really don't care to work out generally). It's so fun to use, and you can find so many barre classes online for FREE. It's also super easy to fold up and store, and for me, that's super important because I live in a tiny space. This is THE best workout tool." —Kathryn Get it from Amazon for $129.99 (available in three colors). This set comes with 3-, 5-, and 8-pound weights. Promising reviews: "We love these! The silicone type of material on the outside makes them easy to hold, even when you're sweating. And the pyramid for holding them, while made of a thick plastic, works extremely well and has been durable so far. These have been perfect for my wife, who likes to do Pilates at home in the living room when the baby goes down for a nap." —Ellis "I bought these for quick at-home workouts, and they’ve been great. The neoprene coating makes them easy to grip (even with sweaty hands), and I love that they don’t roll around like metal weights. They feel sturdy, the weight is accurate, and they’re comfortable to hold. Perfect for strength workouts at home." —ModernMomReviews Get the three-pair set from Amazon for $35.99 (available in 14 other versions — single sets, pairs, and a variety of weights). Promising reviews: "These are perfect for travel/in home workouts. I use them for lower AND upper body workouts. I have hand injury that leaves me unable to grasp weights so I can attach these to my arms for light upper body workout!" —Lisa mcallister "Wow, these really changed my workout! Much more comfortable and useful than the standard ankle weights you find. These are wider so they go more onto your calf. Rugged construction and versatile with modular weights. A must-have for anyone who bores easy and needs something to add an edge." —Saintvoodoo Get them from Amazon $24.99+ (available in nine weights and five colors/styles). It is designed to support up to 265 pounds and has a nonslip surface for added grip. Promising reviews: "It's a nice challenge and quick way to get a decent workout. Used one in physical therapy, decided to get my own, very happy with it." —Fiona Blades Daddah "Bought this on a whim, but I've been using more than expected. It is very solid and supports my 230 pounds easily. The black part of the board has excellent grip and makes it easy to use. It ended up being a good purchase to motivate me to simply stand on this while I watch TV instead of sitting on the couch more at night. Good for balance and improving core strength." —John W. Promising reviews: "First jump rope I purchased in my life, and it's a pretty good one! It's only been two days, and I'm already obsessed. The jump rope has a blue-lit LED screen that displays calorie count, timer, weight, and jump count. Putting the rope together was simple and is well explained in the manual. I was able to shorten the rope to match my height as well. I'll probably be using this every day to get a quick workout in! Oh, and it also came with a bag to keep it safe and clean." —Nicholas Lee "I am impressed with this product! It's super lightweight, easy to use and hold, and has made working out fun again! The buttons are easy to use, it took less than a minute to set up, and it keeps track of how many jumps and feels comfortable in the hands. I find myself using it daily, and since the handles keep track of how many jumps, I try to break the previous day's records! Definitely would recommend!" —cassandra Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in five colors). Palace Learning is a small business creating educational, anatomy, art, and fitness posters. Each card explains how to do the workout and says how many reps to do based on if you're a beginner, intermediate, or advanced. Promising reviews: "Exactly what I needed for quick midday workouts. Cards may need some work to make for easier shuffling, but otherwise a great product." —Brandon B "I love these cards! I get bored with doing the same workouts over and over and then lose my motivation, but with these, it's easy to quickly change up your routine. I love the art style of the illustrations (ones with faces creep me out!) and the detail on the back of the cards, explaining how to properly do the exercise, as well as what muscles are targeted, and the amount of reps to aim for. I've been choosing about six cards to lay on the bench/floor, and then pairing them with an app which automatically times my intervals for me, and it keeps me focused for the full length of my workout!" —Alanna This set includes five bands of different weights: yellow is 10 pounds, blue is 20 pounds, green is 30 pounds, black is 40 pounds, and red is 50 pounds. You can also stack them all together to make a maximum of 150 pounds. Plus, you get two handles, a door anchor, and a user manual. Promising reviews: "I use these daily for arms, chest, shoulders, and leg workouts. The door adapter works great for fastening the bands and is very secure. The bands feel like good quality and work well. Comes with two leg straps and two handles as well. Love the carry bag that holds everything perfectly for travel. Quick and easy workouts anywhere." —Amazon Customer "I was hesitant at first due to the number of resistance bands out there. However, I was able to use these in my basement with little to no issue at all, and they have been a blessing. I started with the 40-pound bands and quickly moved up to the 60-pound bands, and they are incredible. The variety of workouts I have been able to get done in my home without the hassle of leaving the house, and the efficiency is awesome. I’ve had a great experience thus far and look forward to seeing even more results as I continue to use these." —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in 23 other set options). Just put these under your hands or feet to add some easy, gliding movement to your exercise. For example, you could get into a plank, put these under your toes, and slide your feet in and out to add some movement to an otherwise still position. Promising reviews: "I needed these really badly. They are great, especially to keep me active, even on days I don't work out. I'll use these for a quick 10 to 15-minute workout. They are good because we can use them for a full body workout, because you can switch it up." —Mommyof3basedinphilly "I've been using these sliders for almost a month now, and they are great. I have used them both barefoot and with shoes on with no issues. They work well on carpet, rugs, and tile. For the tile, I flip them over so the soft side is facing down; that way, nothing gets scratched. So far, they have provided great results with my workouts. I use them almost every day. They seem so simple and easy, but they provide intense workouts when used properly." —Eric Get them from Amazon for $9.95 (available in three colors). BuzzFeed Shopping editor Heather Braga says: "This may seem like a childish adventure from Nintendo, but JEEZ within moments I'm sweating my butt off. To play, you'll place a JoyCon into both the ring con and a leg strap so your movements are monitored. To move through each level you have to physically run in place and each time you 'battle' an enemy you have to do 15 reps of an exercise of your choosing. For example, each time I complete a squat the enemy receives a 'kick.' It's so fun I don't realize I'm working out until the game reminds me to take a break and have some water. It even monitors your heart rate for you. It's more intense than you'd expect!" Promising review: "I love this game; it's fun, unique, and definitely a workout. I've been playing this on my lunch break all week. I'm sore, it makes me sweat, but it's also a great game. It tracks your calorie count, how your workouts compare day-over-day, etc. Excellent option for someone who likes to game, but hates the idea of going to a gym." —Benton Frisse Promising reviews: "I LOVE this elliptical! I have had this machine for about four months now, and it works great. I usually use the machine standing up, and I rarely feel off balance or like the machine can’t handle my weight. Getting this machine was great for me because it provided a great workout that I could do at home while my son naps. I no longer have to worry about trying to get to the gym!" —Samantha Slattery "I am not one to take time to write a review, but I LOVE THIS! It takes a few minutes to get used to the balance, but I walk in a backward motion on it all the time now. I seem to go faster and smoother in a reverse motion. It had a slight squeak when I first got it, but no longer; it's quiet and so compact. I jump on anytime and watch TV or Netflix. I've exercised on and off my whole life. This is by far my favorite machine ever!! I look forward to getting on and catching up with the news or whatever is on TV, but not just sitting there, and being able to exercise at the same time is so easy now. I'm ordering a second one today to keep in my bedroom when my children take over the basement with their friends and my elliptical. Don't hesitate to buy this — you won't regret it!" —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $119.39+ (available in three colors). The nonslip pedals make it easy to control whether you want to go at a slow walking speed or a faster running speed. It has an LCD monitor that displays the workout time, total stride count, and calories burned. Promising reviews: "If you hate going to the gym, live in a remote area, or want your own piece of fitness equipment...this little gem is worth considering. It's affordable and small enough to fit in my office. It offers a good, quick workout for those looking for a manageable cardio routine. Easy to assemble and quiet while in use." —Williams "I've had my Air Walk Trainer Elliptical Machine Glider for over a month now. I use it on the days I am not able to go to the gym, and I absolutely love it. Best part about it is I can exercise in the comfort of my home and watch TV while doing so. I assembled it myself, and it was very easy. I highly recommend this elliptical to anyone who is looking for a good and inexpensive piece of exercise equipment. Also, another plus, it does not take up much space at all." —Sonia Cavazos-Valdez Get it from Amazon for $149.99+ (available in two styles). Learn more about foam rolling and its benefits at Cleveland Clinic. Promising reviews: "After a second knee revision on my left knee and physical therapy, the muscles were tight and painful, and I didn’t know what to do. A friend recommended this item, and I ordered it, and it arrived sooner than I expected. After a day using it, my left knee and the muscles around the knee were not as stiff, and the pain was gone! This item works miracles and fast!" —GameChanger1 "Nothing has been helping. From running, to walking uphill both ways to work (yes, this is possible), to wearing heels all day, my calves were tight. Nothing has been working. This roller was a godsend. I actually have more mobility after using it than traditional stretching, and I think there was a knot in each calf that it worked out. This is a must-have." —Raven As a web- and app-based service, Obé Fitness can be accessed on a computer, smartphone, or TV. (Tip: Having a wider screen does make taking classes and watching instructors a bit easier.) Just use an HDMI cable to connect to your TV or launch Obé from the app using AirPlay, Apple TV, or Chromecast. You can filter the workouts by category, fitness level, length, body focus, impact, instructors, or equipment required. Former BuzzFeed writer Abby Kass uses Obé Fitness and said, "I started using Obé and then went back to my old at-home workout and switched back to Obé again because I realized I liked it so much. The classes are a great workout, yet the 28 minutes go by super fast, and I’m not counting down the minutes till it’s over. You don't technically need any equipment for the workout, but you can level up with simple equipment, such as a resistance loop, weights, and sliders." Read more of her Obé Fitness review. Get it from Obé Fitness for $24.99+ (monthly and annual memberships available). It comes with a suspension training strap, indoor/outdoor anchors, two workout guides, a training poster, and a mesh bag. Promising reviews: "Great for home use. We hung ours in the garage from one of the rafters. It's great for a quick hit when you don't have time to make it to the gym. The kids love swinging and getting their fitness on as well. Will probably bring and pack when I travel to have on-hand." —JACK HENRY "I don't always have the time/inclination to go to the gym, and having this at home allows me to get in a proper workout without leaving the house. It's just a fun way to try new things and use muscles that you wouldn't be able to otherwise. I can't do pistol squats in real life, but I can with this thing! It's incredibly easy to use and to adjust." —Cersar Each dumbbell weighs 2.3 pounds alone and comes with four weight blocks (each weigh 0.55 pounds). If you want to increase weight, it's so easy: just add a weight block to each side of the dumbbell and you'll be good to go! Promising reviews: "I really want to work out my upper arms more so I was looking for weights to work out with at home. I am a beginner with weights so for me these are the perfect amount of weights for that. I will say I have large hands so I do not know how comfortable it would be for others with smaller hands the longer they use these. I like them!" —Carina Farfan "I've been looking online for weights to do at-home workouts. I also didn't want to have to buy five sets of dumbbells for different weights, so I was ecstatic to find these. You get five different weight levels with this one set of dumbbells. Very happy with this purchase and I'd highly recommend." —Ashley Scanlan Get them from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in three weight sizes and three colors). Each dumbbell weighs between 2.5 pounds–15 pounds with six different weight options. Promising reviews: "Strong product and very easy to use. So convenient for quick workouts and easy to store out of the way when you're done." —aaron pelling "Best adjustable dumbbells for beginners. I love my PowerUp dumbbells. They are so easy to use and convenient. They are just what I wanted. I have now started a regular exercise routine that I have delayed for many years. I use them every other day and can feel my arms getting stronger already. So far this is the best product I’ve ever purchased." —Bronxboy Get a set of two from Amazon for $129.99+ (available in four versions). This comes with a carrying pouch and exercise chart. Promising reviews: "I like it because I can quickly do exercises by putting it between my ankles, above the knees, or in my hands. I can do a few quick exercises throughout the day to energize myself. This circle is sturdy, but not overly difficult to press. Some of the metal circles are difficult to press. The cushioned pads feel nice on the palms and above the ankles, where skin is sensitive. I would encourage others to consider purchasing this Pilates circle." —Aventurera Etermal "The foam and padding are comfortable and there are no signs of early wear and tear yet. It doesn't make any weird squeaking, creaking, or crackling noises and it feels sturdy. The resistance isn't comparable to a weighted piece of equipment, but compared to a metal product, the fiberglass ring still provides an ample workout, especially for a beginner like myself. " —Nikki Get it from Amazon for $23.95+ (available in five colors). The LED display shows basic metrics like time, speed, and distance. Its speed range is 0.5–6 mph, and its weight capacity is 220 pounds. See it in action in this TikTok! It also has transport wheels so you can easily store it when you aren't using it. Promising reviews: "This is ideal for someone who works from home or has a hard time getting cardio in. I don’t have a neighborhood that's conducive to walking or running. I can pull this out of the corner and get 30-60 minutes of cardio while working from home. So easy!!" —Sara Rowan "This thing is awesome. I'm a small, not technical person, and managed to haul this thing up two flights of stairs (slowly), unbox, turn it on, and even connect my phone to the Bluetooth in it. No assembly. Simple instructions. Distance and time measurements seem to be accurate, but the 'calories' might be missing a decimal point. No squealing or groaning under my walking. Not too loud. Slides right under my bed. Didn't need to adjust the belt, though the tool to do so is included. The packaging says to oil every 30 hours. The remote is needed to make the treadmill function. It is extremely cheap — like dollar store cheap. I hope the company has a remote replacement for if/when the remote bites it. Even still, I would 100% buy this again. Great treadmill!" —Crowells Get it from Amazon for $199.99+ (available in two sizes and five colors). This compact, rolling desk bike is also height adjustable, so you can get your perfect fit with the tray, and has "whisper quiet" pedaling, eight resistance levels, and a way to track your mileage, rpm, and other stats. Psst — you can watch the viral desk bike TikTok featuring it for more insight on how it works. It's been liked over 2.5 million times! Promising reviews: "Great for quick workouts. Great buy!! It’s so quiet, and the tracker has seven different features. I haven’t gotten used to typing while riding, but can use it while watching TV or scrolling on my phone." —Tricia King "Have had this product for about a week now. Absolutely love it, what a game-changer!! As a consultant who lives a typical consulting life, I pretty much sit in front of a computer all day long. Even though I work remotely a lot, I barely leave my desk. After a while, you will start to suffer from all the common things as everyone else, back pain, neck pain, you know all those things. Those all got changed when I saw this product! To be honest, I didn't buy it right away because of the price, of course. But I finally decided to make the purchase as a holiday gift to myself. And I am so glad I made this choice! It hasn't been long, but I have been using it every day. It was super easy to put together and easy to move around because of the wheels. You can totally work while using it. The best part is, YOU DON'T EVEN FEEL LIKE YOU'RE WORKING OUT. And somehow it helps you to concentrate better. There is no need to dedicate one hour to the gym; this could be an anytime thing. When you are working, watching shows, or even playing games. I guess because of the working out, my sleep improved as well. Not to mention the pains in my back. All in all, this thing changed my life!!" —joshua0315 Get it from Amazon for $249.99+ (available in three versions and two colors). The knots are all removable so you can adjust the size to fit your waist. Promising reviews: "Quick, easy, and convenient. Easy to assemble; just measure your waist, add or remove links, hook together, then dance like no one is watching! Definitely recommend for busy moms. Also, keeps the pups entertained while the ball is swinging around you in the room!" —Nicole "Like everyone else, I saw this on TikTok and decided to give it a shot. Super fun to use. I'll admit it's difficult to start, but once you get the hang of it after a few minutes, it's super easy and fun. It is a little loud, but nothing unbearable. The pieces are easy to add to, and the weight is not too heavy or light." —Richard Enriquez Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in two versions). Read more about the potential benefits of rebounding exercise! This is 48 inches around and has a 270-pound weight capacity. Promising reviews: "It was hard to assemble once the first few bands were on. I did have to ask someone for help to finish the assembly for me. I love using it. I jump on several times through the day when I need a mental or physical break, and it's perfect for getting the blood flowing and HR increase when I'm short on time, or the weather doesn't permit exercising outside. I am happy with the purchase. I hope the cover lasts a long time as I enjoy using this unit and my kids do too!" —LisaK "Exercise has never been so much fun. I use it every day! Excellent product, really happy with it. It’s very versatile, helps with balance and coordination, love it! And it’s quiet, so my downstairs neighbor is not annoyed. I purchased the 48-inch, so glad I did so I can do jumping jacks, etc." —Falcor Get it from Amazon for $280 (available in four colors). Promising reviews: "This pull-up bar goes right on your door frame. To put it together took under five minutes. I like that it's up in my house because every time you pass, you get a quick pull-up done, and it's an easy way of implementing a workout in your house without taking time. This is also very durable and costs less than a membership to the gym." —Arkay "It’s great! Easy to assemble. The price was very reasonable. I’ve read that static hanging is so good for your shoulders and back. I love that it’s there and easy to use throughout the day. It feels very sturdy and high quality." —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (also available in a kit with resistance bands). Promising reviews: "I have seen immediate results using this product regularly (three times a week). At first, it hurt my back, but now I can use it without discomfort and find that it works very well. It is easy to store and great for a quick workout. If you want to get started on having a strong core, I would definitely recommend the Ab Carver Pro." —Sweets_87 "I absolutely love this!!! I have been trying to get motivated to get up and work out. This is fun and easy to do. The price is very reasonable. I like using this during commercial breaks. It takes zero time to set up and is super effective. I can already see a difference and have only had it a couple of weeks." —Christopher Hancock Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in two styles). * Problem-Solving Parenting Products That Have Thousands Of 5-Star Reviews * Things That’ll Make Sharing A Bathroom With The Whole Family A Lot Easier * Products For First-Time Parents That’ll Make The Whole Thing 1% Less Scary * Toddlers Are Kinda Gross, Here Are 21 Problem-Solving Products To Help With *That* * Gifts That Are Both Kid *And* Parent-Approved * Products Parents Swear By For Keeping Their Homes (Mostly) Clean And Organized * Things Under $10 The Easter Bunny Might Want To Consider Putting In Your Kid’s Basket * You’ll Want These 27 Products If You’re A WFH Parent Who Needs All The Help You Can Get * If You Need Help Entertaining Your Kids This Spring, These 32 Products Will Surely Keep Them Busy * Parenting Products That I, A Fellow Parent, Feel Confident You’ll Eventually Need Plus, kids' mattresses, baby shower gifts, storage and organization solutions, travel must-haves, quiet toys, bassinets, toddler tricycles, baby sunnies, playmats, and finds from Walmart. The reviews used in this post have been edited for length and clarity. BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way. Jessica Hall is a freelancer and former BuzzFeed Shopping writer, and is based in Cincinnati, OH where you can find her curating lists on ~a little bit of everything~ (and adding a few things to her own cart in the process).