WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES?
I believe that fitness should be simple and practical. My experience includes several decades of workouts in public gyms and recently a couple of decades of working out before breakfast at home. My opinion is that the only workout that is not effective is the one that we don’t do.
When I worked out away from home, I had a few pieces of equipment at home as a back-up. Now, I maintain a gym membership for occasional “social” workouts.
Home workouts are growing in popularity for these reasons:
- Privacy. We can take our time to create a comfortable environment with no distractions and no need to commute. No need to make small talk. Nobody looking at us. No waiting in line for equipment. We can dress as we like.
- Freedom. We can vary our routines as we like. No need to fit into a structured routine. We may want to do several 10 minute routines during the day.
- Convenience. Home gyms work on our schedules, not the other way around. There is no need to go to a gym during lunch break or to hurry before the gym closes.
- Time efficiency. We can eliminate long lines to use equipment, travel time and prep time – dressing in a locker room and then showering and dressing again before leaving.
- Cost efficiency. Commercial gyms are for-profit businesses and membership dues must be paid. Home equipment must be purchased, but can be bought as needed and as the home gym is expanded. Effective equipment is surprisingly inexpensive.
See my prior post, home workouts vs. the gym.
EQUIPMENT
With limited space, we can begin a home gym with resistance bands for less than $30. This will provide a total body workout. A treadmill is nice, as is a stationary bicycle. But we can take walks outside until we are ready for a cardio machine.
Our preferences will generally differ, but there are many excellent pieces of home equipment at different price points. We can design our home gym slowly and with a view to how we like to exercise.
I have a treadmill, an inversion table and several forms of resistance exercise, but I haven’t purchased any new equipment in years.
Here is a list of possible equipment choices:
Foldable or collapsible equipment. These items are easily stored after they are used. Examples are foldable benches and foldable treadmills.
Adjustable dumbbells. Instead of a full set of traditional dumbbells, we may opt for adjustable dumbbells and save space and money.
Resistance bands. These are versatile, compact and inexpensive. They can be used to target all of our muscle groups.
Doorway pull-up bar. This is easy to install and works well for our upper body, especially back and biceps.
Compact cardio equipment. This includes foldable treadmills, mini steppers and even jump ropes.
Yoga mat. Yoga mats will provide a comfortable surface for bodyweight exercises, stretching, yoga and Pilates.
Kettlebells. These are versatile and can be used for strength building or cardio. Much less space is required than a full set of dumbbells.
Medicine ball. Great for core workouts and easily stored in a corner or under a shelf.
Exercise ball. Used for core exercise, stability training and even as a bench.
AMAZON
As an Amazon associate, I like to use their links in my articles and promote the company as a great source for just about anything. I may earn from purchases made from their links, though this has no effect on the pricing.
Each link will show pictures, detailed information, reviews and suggestions for other similar or complementary items.
Nordic Track treadmill. This is the treadmill I use every day. I have it in a room in front of a window and near my computer, so that I can play music as I exercise. It is not an expensive model, compared to many others, but it has lasted well for me.
Resistance bands with handles. I have used these for years. Less than $24
Loop bands. I use these for physical therapy. They are also known as booty bands. Less than $12.
Doorway pull-up bar. No screws needed for installation.
Adjustable workout bench. Shown in large above picture.
Yoga mat. Less than $21.
Kettlebell set. Look around for other weights or sets.
Medicine ball. I am going to order this for core training (the wood chopping exercise for abdominals)
BULLWORKER
Bullworker Fitness makes high quality exercise tools exclusively for home workouts. I use the Steel Bow and Bow Classic. I am able to combine isotonic reps with isometric holds. I use these every other day in my routines. Bullworkers are portable and I use them when I travel and need a sure source for a workout.
Martial artist Bruce Lee used Bullworkers as a young man to build his striking force.
The Bow Classic is shown below. This is the archer exercise, for back development.
For complete Bullworker information, see the link at the side of my website. Click on the red link for full information on all of their products.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Building a home gym with limited space is not difficult. It only takes some considerations of effective spacing to be sure we allow enough room for movement during our workouts. Pieces of equipment may be stored vertically to maximize floor space.
Most of my equipment is easily moved from one room to another. The only exception is my treadmill, which stays put in my computer room.
We can set up a functional home gym without great expense, especially as we start out. Our equipment choices will be based on our training preferences. We can add equipment as we feel the need.
I take great pleasure in finishing my workouts before breakfast, cardio one day and strength building the next.
Please leave me any comments or questions in the “Comments” section below. Or email me, richard@myworkoutathome.com.
Let’s stay active!
