Why build a home gym?
Going to the gym is important for improving general health, but it’s not always an option for everyone. For some, a monthly membership fee isn’t in the budget. In other cases, work and errands have them so busy they’re never able to make use of their membership. No matter what the reason is, starting a home gym can be a smart decision for some people to stay fit. Read more about the top reasons to build a home gym below.
No Commute
The lack of commute is one of the top reasons to build a home gym. Think of the money you could save on gas in addition to lower wear and tear on your car. Some even say they feel more motivated when they don’t have to make the trip and can just access equipment right at home.
Fewer Distractions
Sometimes it can be hard to focus at the gym. There are often many TVs, some worry about the judgment of others, or you may see friends you know. You may find yourself striking up a conversation more often than exercising. Building a home gym can help you limit those distractions.
Open All Day
When you have a home gym, you can work out at any time of the day. That can be a huge benefit, especially for those with work schedules outside of the traditional 9 to 5. It’s beneficial for motivation, too. You can literally work out the moment you feel motivated to—no matter the time of day.
Save on Money
While there will likely be a substantial upfront cost to get all the equipment for your home gym, you’ll still save money in the long run that you would normally spend yearly on a gym membership. Many gyms will charge hefty fees for the amount of equipment they have, and some will also raise their price over time. But when you have your own, at-home gym, you can avoid this possibility altogether.
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1. Gym Mat – Large Size 3’x6′
A great surface to work out on is a must. I love this oversized floor mat for many reasons besides the insane deal compared to others. Its large enough for various types of excersises with or without equipment. It’s lite enough to roll up and move around when not in use.
2. Plyo Box
Box jumps are an excellent way to enhance explosive power, further develop strength through your lower body, improve vertical jump height, and generally improve athletic performance. They are perfect for home gyms. While power racks, barbells, and weight benches get all of the attention when it comes to building an epic home gym, a plyo box is just as versatile, compact, and portable. “Box” isn’t always the right word to use. Some plyo boxes are rectangular-shaped, giving you three different height options, and there are even adjustable plyo boxes, giving you a multitude of height options with a small footprint.
3. Kettle bells
Kettlebells are one of the most veritable home gym equipment you can own. From stabilizing muscles to hardcore H.I.I.T. routines, kettlebells can handle it all. Kettlebells possess a very small footprint, meaning that they take up very little floor space. Kettlebells don’t require expensive racks; they can be stored in the corner or underneath other equipment. he versatility offered by kettlebells means that you can train with completely different movement patterns than you might be used to.
4. Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are a great way to help you improve your flexibility, but you can also use them improve joint mobility. Each band exerts a particular amount of force on your muscles when stretched and can be used in both upper and lower body training. They can be used for both rehabilitation and wight raining.
5. Jump Rope
Jump rope – a classic in any home gym. Perfect to incorporate into any cardio routine and takes ups pretty much ZERO space. “They’ve used it for a long time for strength, balance, and cardiovascular exercise,” says William Roberts, MD, director of the Sports Medicine Program at the University of Minnesota Medical School. “And when you think about what boxers do, they’re on their toes and moving around, kind of like jumping rope, so it works a lot of the same muscles.”
6. Foam Roller
A foam roller is a self-myofascial release (SMR) tool used to release tension in and increase the mobility of your muscles, fascia, and other connective tissue surrounding a joint. Foam rolling can be an effective manual therapy tool for both warming up tissues and preparing the body for a workout as well as aiding recovery after exercise. As such, consider adding foam rolling into your warm-up and cool-down routines.
7. Cork Yoga Blocks
Proper alignment is vital in all forms of exercises , but it can be difficult for a lot of people. Knees can cave in doing squats or bridges, for example. During standing poses, simple weight lifting and and work; it can hard to keep the knee and ankle aligned. Blocks will engage the muscles that are needed for those poses and keep the body properly aligned. They’re a great addition to any stretching or rehabilitation routine.
8. Barbell with Weights
As one of the most basic and recognizable pieces of gym equipment out there, you may notice the barbell setups and wonder whether or not they’re right for you; I’m here to tell you they are. Let’s take a look at four amazing benefits that barbell exercises offer.
- They save time. The Big Four barbell exercises (squat, bench press, overhead press, and deadlift) offer an overall workout because they each utilize multiple muscle groups. Instead of switching from machine to machine to machine, you’ll be able to get a total body workout by doing straightforward basic lifts.
- They improve athletic performance. When first exposed to a barbell routine, your body will be focused almost entirely on form; you’ll be learning how to use all of your muscles together to move an object efficiently. As you continue to perfect your technique, you’ll strengthen your neuromuscular connection, which is considered to be responsible for major strength gains. Plus, you’ll be forced to incorporate balance and coordination, which machines don’t demand of you.
- They’re affordable. Many people prefer the comfort of working out at home, but are dissuaded by the cost of the equipment and machinery. When you consider the fact that barbell workouts literally only require two things — a bar and weights –, setting up home gym suddenly becomes manageable.
- They’re versatile. Barbell exercises aren’t only used to build muscle, they’re good for cardio, too. There are unique cardio barbells that are designed to be ultra lightweight (around five pounds) with a small diameter that can be loaded with light weights; if you’re looking to focus more on muscular endurance, cardio barbells allow you to perform the same action repeatedly.
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