by The Fit Girl Reporter on
April 18, 2016

DIY: Build Your Personalized Gym at Home

The biggest mistake people make when it comes to fitness is thinking they have to spend a ton of money on equipment that they will never use. Start small and build your home gym organically to suit your needs, not necessarily what is on this list.  Some people are not home enough to work out or can’t find motivation to work out from home. It’s not for everyone, but if you feel like it’s a good choice for you then creating a home gym will help not only save money in the long run but also time from driving to and from the gym. Saving time is crucial for parents or people who work long hours because they’re always on the go and a home gym is very quick and accessible.

Create a home gym that will give you results and help you create a regimen that will help you grow as you progress.  You don’t want to buy gym equipment and gadgets that will create clutter in your home or just gather dust. Every piece you buy should help you progress from simple to advanced workouts.

Use a full-length mirror when working out because seeing your form from head to toe is important.

Purchasing Cardio equipment is the first thing many beginners may opt for when starting their own home gym.  Know that you CAN run in your neighborhood or swim in a local pool to save money on buying cardio equipment. The benefit of having cardio equipment at home saves you worrying about weather and or time/travel.  Best choices for a cardio machine at home if you must have one are: Treadmill, Stationary bike, and an Elliptical.

These are popular choices for cardio equipment. Cardio is an important component for optimal fitness. It burns calories, strengthens your heart, benefits your lungs, and helps reduce stress.

Beginners should purchase dumbbells starting at 5lbs. and up to 20 lbs.

 Adjustable Weight Bench An adjustable bench works for a wide range of exercises, with or without dumbbell weights. It incorporates three workout benches in one: a flat bench, an incline bench, and a decline bench. Exercise steps can be used as a weight bench by adjusting the riser.

Resistance Exercise Band This is a nice alternative for those who don’t want to lift weights but still want to continue building muscle.  These stretchy bands offer extra resistance during controlled exercises. Resistance band training targets arms or legs to help build strength. These are great to not only have at home but are fantastic for throwing in your suitcase when you travel because they don’t weigh much at all. You can perform at least 20 different exercises with these using all your major and minor muscles.

Kettlebell Training The kettlebell is a round weight with a flat bottom and a thick handle on top. These weights are used to perform exercises that combine cardiovascular, strength, and flexibility training.  They come in different weight options and don’t take much space.

Mat This helps relieve joint pressure during moves that involve sitting, kneeling, or lying. Also used for yoga Pilates, or floor exercises.

Stability Ball Excellent for abdominal work, it supports the spine and isolates stomach muscles. When using an exercise ball, core muscles are engaged with every move. Stability ball exercises include push-ups, chest presses, or tricep extensions.

Medicine Ball Also called a weighted ball, is ideal for core exercises such as side twists, they’re available in a range of weights.

Bosu Balance Trainer This is a stability ball cut in half. With the flat side of the Bosu ball on the floor, use it for pushups, and hip rises. You can also challenge your core muscles while doing upper-body exercises such as bicep curls or overhead presses. Bosu is short for both sides utilized.

Ankle weights Adding extra weight to your body during a workout increases the load, which causes the muscles and heart to work harder.  Only use these again if you are more advanced in training. Be care because adding weight to the joints if you have injuries is not the best idea.

TRX This looks like nothing more than a big band with handles and loops on the ends. Hook it to a closed door (via a door anchor), and strengthen every muscle in your body with a wide variety of exercises and body positions.  You can “adjust” your own body’s resistance by changing positions, which make this a great piece to your home gym.

 

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