Most people begins with best of intentions. However, idea of a home gym usually end up as some unopened plastic in garage. The temptation are to purchase shiny new machines based off their appearance rather than how well they integrates into your life.
The reality is that you don’t need an entire Olympic suite to be fit. What you do need are tools that will helps you get started. Everyone does it wrong.
You know, buy the big thing first. Get the multi-gym station that dominate your living room space. Spend thousands on a treadmill.
Life intervenes and all of a sudden the thing has become a clothes rack. It’s not about filling a room with stuff. It’s about removing obstacles to exercising.
Best Home Gym Equipment to Buy First
Why Home Gyms Fail
Lower the friction and voila, you’ve won. A great set of adjustable dumbbells is one of the best purchases you’ll make. They are versatile, small, and effective for nearly any strength goal.
The Power of Adjustable Dumbbells
Companies like NordicTrack, Bowflex (their SelectTech line), etc., all sells some realy nice models. Want to lift heavy compound movements? Are you using light rehab weights?
No need to change plates: just adjust and go. Less floor space used, less time spent changing things out. This force you to be purposeful with how you’re lifting.
You won’t hide on those automatic machines. Engage your stabilizers and your core. That’s what will builds functional strength.
Adding a Pull-Up Bar
Now that you’ve got handles to hold, what will you hold? The obvious next move would of a pull-up bar. It takes up no floor space and cost practically nothing.
Just hang it on a wall or in doorway, and you can immediately hit your biceps and back. Too easy? That’s the point: too many of us forgets about bodyweight exercises.
Not so simple. So effective. Building a base by pulling your own weight is impossible with machines.
Can’t do one pull-up clean yet? Use some resistance bands to helps you out along the way. Progress are cumulative.
Jump Rope for Cardio
You might be tempted to skip cardio equipment. Do not. But don’t.
The best piece of overlooked cardio equipment is a jump rope. A few bucks, stuffs into your desk drawer. It burns more calories different than a treadmill at the same pace.
It increases foot speed and coordination. There are also tough-as-nails ropes from brands like Speedrope. Just do it consistantly.
Jump for five minutes per day. This is better then an hour per month. It gets your heart rate up, and there is no need for a special room.
Recovery with Foam Rollers
Recovery, flexibility. When you’re hurt, you realize how much you didn’t payed attention to this. Get a foam roller when you first start out.
It is cheap. It is portable. You’ll use it post-workout to help ease muscle soreness.
It increases blood flow. Consider it maintenance for your body (which is a machine). The foam roller is the oil.
Miss it? Stiff. If you are stiff, you can’t work out.
Investing in Quality Yoga Mats
It’s that simple. This one’s an easy one: Yoga mats. Don’t skimp on cheap-o yoga mat.
Invest in a good quality one; like from Lululemon or Manduka. Because it will last you years. The thicker ones also gives you good grip when you’re all sweat-soaked mid-session.
They cushion those poor joint as you exercise on the ground. Without traction, there is no form. And without form, there are no results.
Invest in quality here. You’ll get both comfort and long life out of it. Begin with the basics.
Building a Practical Home Gym
Purchase the dumbbells. Invest in the bar. Invest in the rope.
Unroll the mat. With this core setup, you’ve purchased your recovery, your cardio and your strength. You’ll fit this in a corner.
This work for everyone from beginner to expert. Your best equipment is what you actualy use. Your dream gym won’t make it happen.
Build the one you’re going to livig in. That’s how habits stick.
