How to Create Your Own Home Gym
If you can find the motivation to workout from home, there are plenty of reasons why this is the best option. It’s certainly convenient and time efficient, and contrary to what some may think it can also be extremely affordable and effective. A common misconception about home gyms is that you need to invest thousands of dollars on fancy equipment in order to maximize your workouts – this is not the case. If you want to find out how to make the most out of your fitness routine in the comfort of your own home without breaking the bank, keep reading. I’ll be sharing my top five gym essentials to help you get started.
- 1
Jump rope.
This is one of the best forms of cardio you can do, and unlike a spacious and expensive piece of cardio equipment, you don’t need a lot of room or money to use one. Jump ropes go for as little as $4.00 – try a local fitness equipment shop like Fitness Experience or White Lion Athletics. While you may be thinking, “I can’t skip, it’s too hard!”, just remember that everybody starts somewhere, and practice makes perfect.
- 2
Yoga mat.
This cushiony surface is great for doing core work, strength training, and stretching. It also works in lieu of a workout bench for many exercises. The cost can range from $15 to $70, but unless you’re a hardcore yogi you don’t need to go top of the line in price. I personally find this eco friendly, non-slip version from Amazon does the trick. - 3
Dumbbells.
This form of weight training is an excellent way to improve overall strength, as dumbbells activate many muscle groups while promoting stability and coordination. If you don’t have the means to purchase a whole set, investing in two pairs is a great start – one for bigger muscles like legs, back and chest, and another for smaller muscles like biceps, triceps, and shoulders. Free weights generally cost about $1.50-2.00/pound these days.
If you do have the means to purchase a set but don’t have the room at home for a whole rack, consider adjustable dumbbells, which are a space efficient option to replace around 15 sets of regular dumbbells. - 4
Mini resistance bands.
There are dozens of exercises to really feel the burn with this type of small equipment which only costs about a couple dollars per band. In addition to being super affordable and easy to transport, mini bands are very safe to use. This makes them desirable for anyone working through an injury or physical limitation.
There are tons of options on the market, and this is one product you won’t want to cheap out on – poor quality bands are flimsy and can snap more easily. I get mine from Fitness Experience which hold up well. If you’re unsure of how much resistance you’ll need, start with a medium resistance band (usually green in color) or purchase a set of four or five which should cost you around $12-$15. - 5
Stability ball.
Also known as a swiss ball, balance ball, or exercise ball. This is a great addition to your workout to do exactly that – exercise your balance and stability. From ball crunches to wall squats, there are dozens of options to provide an effective and challenging workout. Standard guidelines for selecting an appropriate size ball (which vary from 55-75cm) are based on height, although I always personally favored the largest size. A reasonable anti-burst 75cm ball with a pump can be found for between $20-$30 online, with many to choose from on Amazon.
As far as total cost goes, you can score all five of these gym essentials for $150, give or take. An affordable and effective starting point for any home workout space.
How to Create Your Own Home Gym
If you can find the motivation to workout from home, there are plenty of reasons why this is the best option. It’s certainly convenient and time efficient, and contrary to what some may think it can also be extremely affordable and effective. A common misconception about home gyms is that you need to invest thousands of dollars on fancy equipment in order to maximize your workouts – this is not the case. If you want to find out how to make the most out of your fitness routine in the comfort of your own home without breaking the bank, keep reading. I’ll be sharing my top five gym essentials to help you get started.
- 1
Jump rope.
This is one of the best forms of cardio you can do, and unlike a spacious and expensive piece of cardio equipment, you don’t need a lot of room or money to use one. Jump ropes go for as little as $4.00 – try a local fitness equipment shop like Fitness Experience or White Lion Athletics. While you may be thinking, “I can’t skip, it’s too hard!”, just remember that everybody starts somewhere, and practice makes perfect.
- 2
Yoga mat.
This cushiony surface is great for doing core work, strength training, and stretching. It also works in lieu of a workout bench for many exercises. The cost can range from $15 to $70, but unless you’re a hardcore yogi you don’t need to go top of the line in price. I personally find this eco friendly, non-slip version from Amazon does the trick. - 3
Dumbbells.
This form of weight training is an excellent way to improve overall strength, as dumbbells activate many muscle groups while promoting stability and coordination. If you don’t have the means to purchase a whole set, investing in two pairs is a great start – one for bigger muscles like legs, back and chest, and another for smaller muscles like biceps, triceps, and shoulders. Free weights generally cost about $1.50-2.00/pound these days.
If you do have the means to purchase a set but don’t have the room at home for a whole rack, consider adjustable dumbbells, which are a space efficient option to replace around 15 sets of regular dumbbells. - 4
Mini resistance bands.
There are dozens of exercises to really feel the burn with this type of small equipment which only costs about a couple dollars per band. In addition to being super affordable and easy to transport, mini bands are very safe to use. This makes them desirable for anyone working through an injury or physical limitation.
There are tons of options on the market, and this is one product you won’t want to cheap out on – poor quality bands are flimsy and can snap more easily. I get mine from Fitness Experience which hold up well. If you’re unsure of how much resistance you’ll need, start with a medium resistance band (usually green in color) or purchase a set of four or five which should cost you around $12-$15. - 5
Stability ball.
Also known as a swiss ball, balance ball, or exercise ball. This is a great addition to your workout to do exactly that – exercise your balance and stability. From ball crunches to wall squats, there are dozens of options to provide an effective and challenging workout. Standard guidelines for selecting an appropriate size ball (which vary from 55-75cm) are based on height, although I always personally favored the largest size. A reasonable anti-burst 75cm ball with a pump can be found for between $20-$30 online, with many to choose from on Amazon.
As far as total cost goes, you can score all five of these gym essentials for $150, give or take. An affordable and effective starting point for any home workout space.
