5 Pieces of Equipment You Need for Your Home Gym
Whether it’s to save money on a pricey gym membership or to avoid being around other sweaty people, lots of people choose to exercise at home. If you’re thinking about putting together a home gym, there’s never been a better time than now.
Building up your home gym is a better investment than a monthly gym membership. You can get equipment that works better for you than what might be at a gym. Best of all, you won’t have to wipe someone’s sweat off of it before you use it.
Once you decide that a home gym is your ideal way to work out, it’s time to start putting together the must-have gear for your workout. We’ve put together a list of the top 5 pieces of equipment that everyone needs to have for their routine.
1. Dumbbells
Dumbbells offer a lot of versatility for bodybuilding and just staying in shape. If you only have space for one piece of equipment, having some weights should be the one piece of equipment that you keep around. Whether you use them during your dedicated workout hour of the day or just while you watch TV, they’ve got serious versatility.
You can work out every part of your body with just one pair of dumbbells. If you’ve got premade dumbbells, with set weights, you’ll have to set aside some space or get a rack for them. The hexagon shaped rubber dumbbells are some of the most comfortable and longest lasting.
If you’re just starting out, get 3-5 sets in a range of weights. Find light ones that you can jog in place with, then get some that are fairly easy to lift over your head. Next get some that you can’t lift over your head just yet.
If you don’t have space for a big rack of dumbbells but still want some versatility, look for adjustable dumbbells. This way, you’ll be able to get every kind of weight you need for a variety of workouts without having to compromise your tight space.
You’ll also be able to save money by getting variety with just one set of adjustable dumbells.
2. Stationary Bike
One of the best workouts you can get is riding a bike. If you don’t live in a place where you can commute to work on a bike or if you work from home, a stationary bike is your next best option.
There are a wide variety of bikes to choose from, including the straightforward mechanical bike to bikes with digital displays and networked technology. You can hop up on the bike and get in shape during those periods when you otherwise might just be sitting on your couch watching TV.
An airbike is a great option for people who are looking to get in great shape. With an air bike, the harder you pedal, the more the fan will resist. You can change resistance at your own pace and do some high-intensity interval training.
Rather than the average stationary bike, you can push and pull with your arms while you ride, giving you an additional upper body workout.
Once you decide to get a bike, put it someplace where you’ll see it every day. Putting it in your garage or in the corner of your spare bedroom will mean that it might just end up collecting dust after a few months.
Check out BodyGearGuide.com to see what’s offered in the world of bikes.
3. Pull Up Bar
This is one of the cheapest and easy to use pieces of equipment you could get for your home gym. What’s great about pull up bars is that they’re not just for pull-ups.
Once installed, you can do all sorts of gymnastic exercises. If you’re in especially good shape, you could hang from it and do sit-ups. Getting to that level, you’ll be in fantastic shape in no time.
Like the stationary bike, it should be put in a higher traffic area of your home. Putting it someplace out of sight will lead to it being out of mind, which won’t help you get into the shape you want.
If you take some natural supplements and use your pull-up bar every day, you’ll build up strength in no time.
4. Rings
Rings are an inexpensive and versatile addition to your home gym. They offer you a wide variety of options for exercising.
If you have experience doing gymnastics, you’ll find some familiarity and find comfortable ways to work out with them. You can add a lot of variety in your upper body exercises with some simple, lightweight rings.
Take a break between reps to just hang or hold yourself up. The feeling will leave you strong but relaxed.
5. Jump Rope
If you travel a lot or are short on space, a jump rope is a great addition to your home gym. It’s a great way to get a full body cardio workout in just 15 minutes.
If you’ve got experience, you might like to get a lightweight speed rope to work on timing. Or if you want a full-body workout, a weighted rope will help you work on your strength.
Whatever your skill level, a jump rope is an easy way to get into working out. If you’re a dancer or a runner, this will get your whole body in shape for that. Jumping rope is easy to fit into a day and has a higher yield of results than most workouts that are as simple.
Build Your Home Gym Today
Even if you’re on a budget, it’s easy to start building your home gym up. Don’t forget to pick up a comfortable pair of running shoes for working out in. They should offer heel and toe support and be good for making a light jog in, even if you won’t be running.
Pair this all with a good set of workout clothes that you feel comfortable in and you’ll be able to start working out every day of the week.
If you’re looking for more fitness tips, check out our list of fitness books.
