Home Gym Equipment
Nurse Susan provides an overview of the eight pieces of equipment that every Home Gym should have.
Are you tired of wasting money on gym memberships that you never use? Are you ready to take control of your fitness and finally accomplish your weight loss and strength building goals?
If going to the gym has never worked for you before, why not try something new? By bringing the gym to you, you never have an excuse not to get in a workout.
To set up a home gym that has everything you need, start with these eight pieces of equipment.
Adjustable Dumbbells
Dumbbells are incredibly versatile. If you want to build strength but are not ready to invest in barbells and more expensive equipment, a set of adjustable dumbbells is a great place to start.
The best part about an adjustable set is that you do not need a lot of room to store them, and they are often more cost-effective than buying separate sets of dumbbells in various weights.
Most adjustable sets usually start at 3-5 pounds and can be adjusted up to around 50 pounds. Over time, you may need to invest in some heavier weights, but a maximum of 50 pounds will be plenty for most beginners.
Balance Training Equipment
Many people forget to work on balance training during their workouts. However, good stability and core strength are essential. They will help you perform better in other areas of your life, inside and outside of the gym.
A BOSU (both sides up) or balance ball is a great addition to your home gym to help you improve your balance. They do not take up much room and are very versatile. Use them for sit-ups, planks, push-ups, and even lower body movements like hamstring curls and hip thrusts.
Cardio Equipment
If the weather in your location prevents you from running or walking outside year-round, you may want to invest in a piece or two of indoor cardio equipment. Some good options include:
- Treadmill: An essential piece of cardio equipment, a treadmill is perfect for walking, running, and doing HIIT intervals.
- Elliptical trainer: This piece of equipment is a great low-impact option for people who suffer from knee or back pain. It is also better for multitasking, so you can read or watch your favourite TV show while you use it.
- Rowing machine: Rowing machines are another good alternative for people who want to improve their cardiovascular health but suffer from back or knee pain. They do not place much strain on these areas (as long as you are using good form).
- Jump rope: Do you not have room for a cardio machine? Buy a simple jump rope, instead. Jump ropes are affordable and easy to store. Jumping rope also gets your heart pumping very quickly, so your cardio workout will be more efficient but just as effective.
Yoga Mat
It is also essential to make sure you have a place to stretch and cool down after your workout. If your home gym is in the garage or another area with hard floors, a comfortable yoga mat is necessary. Look for a mat about five-eighths of an inch thick, so you will get a little more cushion than you would with a standard yoga mat. Mats also make ab work, push-ups, and other floor exercises more enjoyable.
Resistance Bands
If you are looking for a more affordable option than adjustable dumbbells for resistance training, you cannot go wrong with a set of resistance bands. Most sets cost less than $40 and come with four or five different resistance levels, so you can scale your workouts as you get stronger.
You can also buy resistance bands and loops in conjunction with weights for an added challenge. Resistance bands are easy to store and, since they are so lightweight, are highly portable. Take them with you when you travel, so you never have an excuse to miss a workout.
Pull-up Bar
Pull-ups are one of the best upper body exercises you can do. They work the biceps, lats, and forearms all at once. A pull-up bar is a great piece of equipment that can easily be hung in your doorway during workouts.
If your home gym is close to other rooms in your house that you frequently visit, consider leaving it up all the time and doing a few pull-ups every time you walk past it. Even if you can only do one or two pull-ups now, that will soon change if you stick with them.
You can also take the pull-up bar down and hold onto it when you do push-ups to take some pressure off your wrists.
Medicine Ball
A medicine ball is another great option for people who are not ready to or do not want to use weights during their workout.
A medicine ball will add resistance to bodyweight exercises like lunges, squats, and sit-ups. During circuit workouts, you can also do medicine ball slams or wall balls to get your heart pumping.
Foam Roller
In addition to stretching post-workout, foam rolling is another important component of a good cool down.
It is tempting to head off to the shower and get on with your day when you are finished working out. But, if you spend ten or fifteen minutes rolling over the areas you targeted during your workout, you will encourage blood flow, which will help prevent soreness and promote faster recovery.
You can also foam roll before your workout as part of your warm-up to activate the muscles you want to target and loosen up.
Wrapping Up
At-home workouts are perfect for people who want to get in shape but struggle to make it to the gym before or after work.
With these eight pieces of equipment, you will have no trouble getting in a good workout when it is most convenient for you.
When you work out at home, you also get the bonus of not having to wait for equipment or worry about whether or not the last person who used it cleaned it properly!
Page Reference
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- NURSE, S. (2018) Home Gym Equipment [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/articles/article295.htm [Accessed
About the Author
Nurse Susan has always been passionate about helping people heal. After she retired from a lifelong career as a nurse, that passion did not disappear. She loves to use her expertise to write about the best ways to keep you and your family healthy, active, and happy.