Working out at home is considered more of a hobby than a way of life, mainly because of the notion that one can only attain a ripped body in a fitness center. But we are here to shatter that perception, and tell you that with the right mindset, research and budget, you can create a perfectly capable home gym that will serve the fitness needs of you and your loved ones for many years. Let’s dig in then.
Getting the Basics out of the Way
First and foremost, you need to understand a few things. Only invest in a home gym if you’re firmly committed to sustaining an active lifestyle, since you will be spending a lot of money to get equipment, training gear, setting and organizing the space, etc. So, ask yourself: Is your heart really in it? Do you want to change the way you look and feel by taking up regular exercise inside your own home? Once you gather answers to these questions, it’s time to make your next move.
Set up a Work-Out Area
This should be your sacred space, where you zone out for 30–60 minutes a day, committed to improving your body and mind. There is no rule of thumb on how to set up a home fitness center. The workout room you design should be tailored to your preferences and fitness goals. Spend time considering what you want to accomplish with the area.
Your vision will help you plan for the type of equipment you’ll use the most. What you need will be dictated by the type of exercises you want to take up, such as, yoga, meditation or weight lifting.
With a little imagination, you can transform almost any area of your home into an exercise zone. An extra bedroom provides ample space for equipment and strenuous workouts. The same is the case for open places in a basement or garage.
The Hunt for Exercise Equipment
Once you have your space sorted out, it’s time now to look for training equipment and gear. Before getting into the more expensive and exotic gear, it’s good to start small with the basics.
Dumbbells
In the beginning, just focus on hitting the ground running. You don’t need an elaborate weight bench system and 50 kg weight plates to give your body a work-out. Getting a few dumbbells or kettlebells in a variety of weights — light, medium, and heavy based on your fitness level — can provide you with a handful of exercise possibilities.
Resistance Bands
Often underrated, but did you know that training with resistance bands can result in equal strength increases as lifting weights? It appears that using those massive rubber bands causes enough tension on muscles to work hard during movements. So, go out and get some of these bands, they’ll massively support you during your sessions.
Larger Equipment
Now we’re into uncharted territory! If you are a seasoned pro, and have the means of affordability, you can always purchase the larger and more complicated exercise contraptions.
These typically encompass:
- Treadmill
- Bench
- Gliding discs
- Jump rope
- Punching bag
- Barbell set
Other Unique Options
Criminally underrated, but highly effective, playing with a padel racquet for even 20 minutes daily can increase your lifespan, since it targets all areas of your body. In short, incorporating a paddle racket into exercises can improve hand-eye coordination, agility, and balance. By simulating paddle sports movements, you engage your core, arms, shoulders, and legs, promoting a full-body workout while keeping things engaging and challenging.
The lightweight design of a paddle racket makes it ideal for cardio-based exercises like shadow swings or footwork drills. These activities boost your cardiovascular endurance while toning muscles. Additionally, using a paddle racket in your routine can improve reaction time and flexibility, as it requires quick movements and precise control.
It can also be incorporated into balance exercises or core-strengthening routines. For example, holding the racket while performing lunges or squats challenges your stability and activates your core muscles. This adds variety to your workout and helps in building functional strength.
Compact, lightweight, and versatile, this type of racket offers an enjoyable and dynamic approach to fitness, making it a valuable tool for enhancing home workouts. It’s an all-round exercise that offers a myriad of health benefits.