10 Home Gym Essentials for Beginners
You don’t have to pay monthly membership fees at the local gym to get and stay in shape. You can easily create a workout space at home, even on a budget. Whatever your fitness goals, you can accomplish them at home with the right gym equipment.
Here’s a list of home gym essentials that will get you up and exercising.
10 Home Gym Essentials for Beginners
Your fitness goals play a role in the equipment you need in a home gym. However, some items are essential.
Exercise Mat
Whether you have hard or carpeted floors, an exercise mat is essential. Exercise and yoga mats are inexpensive and make floor routines more comfortable. The mats also provide traction. You don’t want to slip and fall during your workout.
Exercise mats are also portable. You can take your workout outside and enjoy the fresh air.
Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are versatile, inexpensive, and easy to store. They don’t take up a lot of space, leaving you plenty of room for larger pieces of home gym equipment.
Grab a set of resistance bands when you want to add a challenge to your workout.
The elastic bands take your strength training exercises to a new level. You can also use the bands for physical therapy. The bands induce muscle contractions, gradually strengthening and toning your muscles.
Kettlebells
It’s surprising the number of exercises you can perform with kettlebells. The small, handheld weights are also inexpensive and don’t require a lot of storage space.
The versatile equipment can strengthen and tone arm and leg muscles while giving you a great cardio workout. Use the kettlebells for arm swings and Turkish get-ups. When you want to strengthen leg muscles, use the kettlebells for squats and walking lunges.
Medium-weight Dumbbells
With a pair of medium-weight dumbbells, you open the doors to new exercises you can perform at home. Best of all, dumbbells are not a pricey piece of exercise equipment. You can find a quality set priced a little higher than an exercise mat.
What can you do with medium-weight dumbbells? The equipment can strengthen your bicep muscles. You can also use the weights for compound exercises.
Selecting the right dumbbell weight depends on your fitness level and overall goals. A good rule of thumb is to start with a set between eight to ten pounds. If you need lighter weights, grab some full cans of soup.
Pair of Heavy-weight Dumbbells
A pair of heavy-weight dumbbells give your workouts an added challenge. Best of all, the exercise equipment isn’t going to break your wallet.
Switch out your light and medium-weight dumbbells for a heavy-weight pair when working on larger muscle groups. The equipment makes it easier to progress through your workouts. As your muscles get stronger, you can increase the number of reps. Don’t get rid of your light and medium-weight dumbbells. You still need them to exercise smaller muscle groups.
Jump Rope
Remember playing with jump ropes as a child? Jump ropes are a fun way to get in some cardio exercise. It’s also hard to beat the low price.
Jumping rope in your home gym gets your heart rate up while also working your legs, arms, core, and shoulders. Renters with downstairs neighbors may want to take their jump rope outside. Even a short ten-minute workout can drive your neighbors crazy.
Gliding Discs
Beginners want to take their time getting used to gliding discs. The inexpensive exercise equipment is challenging to use.
How the discs work is pretty simple. Place your feet or hands on the center of the discs. As you are performing plank-to-pikes or reverse lunges, the discs glide around. Your muscles work harder to keep the discs from sliding away. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to increase your strength training.
Stability Ball
Not all public gyms use stability balls, but the inexpensive equipment is great for beginners. The balls require a little more storage space than some other types of exercise equipment, but the results are worth it.
Stability balls work your abs and improve balance. It’s challenging excising on a round object without losing your balance. Your core muscles work a little harder during the workout. Stability balls are also a great home gym addition for beginners getting into Pilates or Yoga.
Floor Length Mirror
A floor-length mirror isn’t a traditional piece of exercise equipment, but there’s a good reason why public gyms have mirrors.
Adding a mirror doesn’t mean you can check your hair during a workout session. Instead, it allows you to check your form throughout the various exercises. It’s especially important for beginners. When your form isn’t correct, you risk potential injuries.
Floor-length mirrors range in price and style. Remember, it’s a home gym. It’s not necessary to purchase the most expensive and stylish mirror on the market. You are only looking for functionality.
Exercise or Stationary Bike
Exercise and stationary bikes come at a price. Stationary bikes are a little less pricey but still cost more than most other types of exercise equipment. When it comes to exercise bikes like NordicTrack and Peloton, the price quickly adds up if you subscribe to their online exercise sites.
Beginners willing to spend the money will enjoy several benefits. You can get in a great cardio workout without leaving your home gym. Paying for the subscription services provides you with a virtual trainer.
You get encouragement from an online community, and you can also bike and jog through various virtual settings. Exercise on a beach or in the forest, all without leaving your home gym.
Conclusion
Setting up a home gym is easier than many beginning fitness enthusiasts believe. It also doesn’t take a lot of money. Consider your fitness goals before you start shopping, and don’t forget about the size of your workout space. You want to have plenty of room to exercise, even with the equipment.