Setting up your own home gym is an effective way to save money by not having to spend on commuting costs and gym memberships. It is also a great time saver as you can work out in the comfort of your own home.
However, if you are still hesitating about creating your own home gym because you are worried about the initial investment, there is no need to worry as you can do it on a budget. Here are a few tips:
Identify your specific needs
Know what you need first before you buy equipment. Choose the ones you are absolutely sure you will use. That way, you won’t waste money on fitness tools and equipment you’ll never use. If you have had a gym membership in the past, try to remember the equipment you use most often.
Even if you already have a different physique, it helps to think about the specific physical aspects you want to target. This is the key to identifying the specific equipment and tools you need. To give you an idea, here are the basics, but again, make sure you only buy what you need:
Kettlebells – This highly versatile fitness tool is a great addition to your home gym as it takes up very little space. It also has a wide range of uses. You can use them to increase muscle mass, do one-sided work and strengthen your weak areas.
Resistance bands – Resistance bands allow you to give your body a tough workout. You will find them useful for conditioning and strength training, as well as recovering from injury.
Bench – Yes, it is possible to do certain exercises with the help of your home furniture or on the floor, but it would be much better if you had the appropriate exercise bench. This will allow you to move easily from one position to another, preventing injuries and aiding your overall fitness training.
Dumbbells – You need dumbbells so you don’t focus on just one aspect of fitness. This versatile piece of equipment allows you to give your body a complete workout.
Other useful home fitness equipment includes skipping ropes, dumbbell racks, Olympic dumbbells, mats and weight plates – depending on how much space you have. Remember that if you are using barbells, you need enough space to ensure a safe workout. If you want to train with heavy weights at home, you should consider lining your floor with safety mats. This will protect the floor from damage.
Shop locally
To save money on the items you need for your home gym, it helps to shop locally. This gives you the option of click and collect, which can save you a significant amount on shipping. Buying your fitness equipment in local stores also gives you a personal experience of your options. You can try things out and ask questions while you are in the store.
Look out for deals and bargains
Remember that you can still buy quality fitness equipment even if it is on sale or a bargain. Fortunately, most home gym essentials can be bought second-hand. This is a good thing, as it means their prices are lower. Just make sure you take extra care if you decide to buy second-hand.
Inspect the items in person and make sure they are still in good condition. You can do this by looking for bargains at flea markets, garage sales and local classifieds. You can also find them at local gyms that are looking to replace or upgrade their equipment.
Invest in multipurpose equipment
To get the most out of your home gym investment, choose equipment that can be used for multiple purposes. For example, you can invest in a BOSU ball that you can use for strength training and cardio workouts. You can also opt for stability balls, which allow you to do a full-body workout. Dumbbells are also worth investing in, as you can incorporate them into different exercises.