This post is sponsored by RITFIT, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only feature brands we genuinely love.
"Allow me to vent, mom to mom, for a sec. I’m lucky to have a flexible start and end to my workday, but I’m also the default parent for all drop-offs and pickups. My husband works 12-hour shifts Monday through Friday, starting at 6:45 a.m., often with after-hours prep for the next day, so there’s very little time for me. I usually wake up around 6:00 a.m. to get a head start—making breakfast, packing the school bag, ordering grocery pickup, and anything else to keep the day on track. Once my daughter is up, the focus shifts to getting ready for school while navigating any potential meltdowns or unexpected detours. If the morning goes smoothly, I might squeeze in 30 minutes for an extra chore—like folding laundry, grabbing groceries, or starting dinner prep—before settling into a full day of work and meetings.
After school pickup, my main priority is making sure we have some quality one-on-one playtime before diving into the dinner and bath rush. If I can prep dinner before pickup or it’s an easy weeknight meal, the whole evening runs so much more smoothly. We eat dinner as a family (fingers crossed Dad makes it home in time), and then it’s the evening routine: bath, books, and bed. By the time my daughter’s asleep, I’m lucky if I can keep my eyes open past 8:00 p.m.
All that to say, my wellness habits have pretty much vanished since becoming a mom, as I’m sure you can understand and maybe even relate. But now that my daughter is 3, I’m trying my hardest to invest in my health again, for her sake and mine. Starting a gym membership is pretty much out of the question with my busy schedule, so I recently invested in a small at-home gym space. RITFIT at-home gym equipment was highly recommended by coworkers and other moms on their fitness journeys, so it didn’t take much convincing for me to place an order. Now that I’ve used my at-home gym and RITFIT equipment for a few weeks, here’s my honest review:
How I set up my at-home gym
Although I’m admittedly new to the at-home gym game, I didn’t feel too intimidated when picking out my RITFIT equipment. I knew building strength was my overall goal, so I stuck to machines that make weight lifting easy and achievable for a beginner but will grow with me as I level up. I ended up with the Leg Extension Curl Machine, Dumbbell Set & Rack (in pink, of course), and Resistance Exercise Band. Everything arrived within a few days, and we got to assembling shortly after.
OK, truth be told, “we” is a strong word. I’m a weekday warrior who handles pretty much everything, but every now and then, I have to declare something a “dad-only” task just to give myself a break. Now, I’ve been present for plenty of furniture assembly situations and have witnessed our relationship tested by a wobbly piece of budget furniture. But the RITFIT equipment? Nothing like that. He couldn’t stop commenting on how great the quality was and how easy it was to assemble. The whole experience was so smooth, it actually had me thinking I could’ve done it myself.
RITFIT
This leg curl machine is easy to get in and out of, supports all leg movements, and is designed to help you achieve proper form during exercises. It also has four adjustable backrest angles and 12 adjustable range positions for a tailored workout experience.
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RITFIT
These round steel dumbbells are PVC-coated and designed to last. I appreciate that the handles have premium anti-skidding material to help my grip and a much more balanced weight distribution than other dumbbells. I have the 200-pound set, which includes weights from 10 pounds all the way to 30 pounds.
Use code EVERYMOM for 10% off your RITFIT order!
RITFIT
This resistance band comes with comfortable foam handles and a door anchor, allowing for a wide variety of exercise options. The handles are actually super comfortable, and I don’t feel any hand cramping when I use them, which is a big plus for me.
What I’m loving so far about my at-home gym
A comfortable space with beginner-friendly equipment
I haven’t been in a gym in quite a while. Even before having my daughter, I had always preferred group classes. There’s just something about having an instructor guide you through the moves and offer real-time tips that works better for me. It’s not that gym equipment intimidates me; I just genuinely forget how to use it unless YouTube walks me through it. But the RITFIT leg curl machine is incredibly user-friendly and effective. Just a few minutes and a handful of simple movements leave me sore the next day (in the best way).
My husband and I both love the leg curl machine and the dumbbell set. They’ve made building muscle—a big priority for me so I can keep scooping up my daughter for as long as possible—feel doable. I love that even as a novice, I can still get a productive leg and arm workout in under 20 minutes. I also don’t have to worry about how I look or who’s around me when I’m at home, which helps build my confidence while I work out.
An opportunity for self-care (and quality couple time)
When I used to think about a solid leg workout, I pictured something time-consuming, like an overcomplicated HIIT routine or an extended treadmill session. But the leg curl machine lets me target my biggest muscle group and actually build strength, all from home and on my schedule. Without the hassle of driving to and from the gym, all I need is my iPad (and the latest episode of Love Island) and a few quiet minutes to myself. And wow, what a difference it’s made for my overall mental and physical health to have that self-care again.
An added bonus is that my husband (a much more experienced weight lifter) was immediately impressed after assembling the RITFIT equipment. While we got them for me, he was so excited to try them out, and honestly, I think he’s enjoying them just as much as I am. Having him constantly rave about how well-made and user-friendly they are adds to their credibility. Some nights after bedtime, we’re even able to work out together, providing us a little more quality time without the extra effort of leaving the house.
Why RITFIT gym equipment is a worthwhile investment
The dumbbell set provides a versatile workout experience
Since my husband and I can both use these dumbbells at home, it makes it a great investment for both of us. The dumbbell set comes with a wide range of weight levels, making it ideal for our different lifting levels. RITFIT dumbbell sets come in three total weight options (from 150 pounds to 250 pounds), and the grips feel super secure, too, which comes in very handy when you’re sweating through a tough workout. There are endless at-home workout options using dumbbells, but these are my favorite beginner-friendly workouts:
- Squats
- Lunges
- Bent over back rows
- Goblet march
- Tricep kickbacks
The leg curl machine is powerful yet easy to use
This machine targets your quads and hamstrings with both leg curl and leg extension functions. The movements are simple but seriously effective—just a few sets, and you’ll feel it the next day. The only downside to being sore as a parent is how kids seem to instinctively activate those exact muscle groups to humble you, whether it’s crouching for sidewalk chalk or bending down to catch a roly-poly. But hey, at least you know that your workout really hit those spots successfully.
These machines make working out stress-free
Simple movements and easy-to-use equipment make it easier for me to quiet my mind and actually take a few minutes for myself. Sometimes, the mental load of just figuring out what to do in a workout—let alone carving out time and space for it—feels like too much. I make decisions all day long for everyone; sometimes I don’t have any brainpower to start from scratch on figuring out a workout. That’s why the simplicity of RITFIT’s at-home gym setup is exactly what I need as a busy (and perpetually overwhelmed) mom. You can’t ask for a better workout setup: RITFIT equipment is high-quality, easy to use, and incredibly functional.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Allyson Trammell, Editor-in-Chief of The Everygirl
Allyson first joined The Everygirl Media Group back in 2012 and subsequently worked in marketing, social media, and influencer outreach at Lulu and Georgia. Now a mom-of-one and the editor-in-chief of The Everygirl, Allyson leads the brand’s editorial strategy, growth, audience development, and all content.
This post is sponsored by RITFIT, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only feature brands we genuinely love.