With the pressures of modern life, as well as the Covid-19 lockdowns, there is an increasing number of people who work out at home to stay fit without having to worry about frequenting a local fitness center or paying monthly gym fees. If you are considering starting an exercise program at home, you can create a home gym, which will enable you to hit every body part and get a fully comprehensive workout. Building up your own home gym will allow you to achieve all of your fitness goals from the comfort of your own home. Whether you want to tone up, improve your health, lose a little weight, or gain greater flexibility, a fully equipped home gym will help you do it.
To help you figure out where to start on your home gym project, this article is a guide to what equipment provides the most effective fitness results.
1. Cardio Equipment
Whether it is a machine that is designed to imitate cycling, walking, or stair climbing, the best cardio machines for your home gym are most likely to be smaller, lighter home versions. These machines provide good cardio workouts that burn calories and help to reduce fat if you are looking to lose weight or improve your physique.
Cross-Country Ski Machines
This machine mimics cross-country skiing and provides a really effective workout for your arms and legs simultaneously as you would get from actually cross-country skiing. The fitness equipment experts at gymgiantgear.com explain that while some machines have fixed skis that move at the same time, others have independent skis. You can also have a choice of rope handles or stationary hand grips depending on what you find most comfortable. For the most stability, look for a wide footbed as this will help to keep you steady and stable during your workout.
Elliptical Trainers
Elliptical trainers are a cross between a ski machine and a stair-stepper which provide a circular up and down motion for a nearly impact-free workout, so you don’t have to worry about your joints. There are options for automatic or manual resistance and grade, as well as leverable hand grips. It’s important to look for comfortable handlebars and nonslip pedals with curved ridges. To check the stability, try out the machine at various speeds and grades and find out what feels most stable.
Treadmills
A treadmill is a versatile at-home option that works well for racers, casual runners, or those who are looking for steady cardio exercise. With a treadmill, you can walk or run indoors without having to worry about the weather outside. It’s important to look for a strong model with a sturdy frame as well as an emergency stop button for safety. To maximize your workout results, look for models with inclining ability as well as a diagnostic screen.
2. Strength Equipment
Whatever your fitness goals are, it’s important to build strength with machines that can harness gravity, body weight, external weight, or tension. As with cardio equipment, strength-focused equipment is available in a wide range of styles and prices.
Dumbbells
Depending on your current strength workout routine, you can start with dumbbells as heavy as 2 to 5 pounds, or 5 to 8 pounds. As you increase your strength, you can add weight as needed. A reliable pair of dumbbells with padded center bars is an important addition to any home gym thanks to their versatility. They can improve your curl form and work well for many lifts, including squats, shoulder presses, and more.
Resistance Bands and Tubing
Resistance bands and tubing are good pieces to add to your home gym as they can be used for a full-body strength workout. Resistance equipment is cheap, lightweight, and portable. You can check if the resistance is suitable for you by doing a small exercise repeatedly: if less than eight, it is too high; if more than 12, it is too low. You can adjust the resistance by positioning your hands closer together or farther apart as well as changing your posture. Bands come in various levels of resistance from very light to very heavy and are color-coded. Tubing also comes in different levels of resistance and is likewise designated by color.
With the wide selection of home gym equipment available on the market right now, you may be feeling overwhelmed. However, home gyms do not need to be too complex and don’t even require a dedicated room, huge expenditure, or weeks of setup if you know what you are doing. Just because you are not religiously visiting a gym or fitness studio doesn’t mean you can’t do the replicate workouts they offer. With a home gym, everything from strength workouts to cardio routines can be easily done at home. Follow this guide and you will be able to buy everything you need.
