Essentials for Setting Up a Home Gym

An at-home gym is an ideal oasis for many fitness-lovers. You’ll have regular access to fitness equipment, and you’ll never have to wait your turn to use it. Check out some of the essentials for setting up a home gym so that you can have an all-access pass to the ideal workout studio.

Pick Out a Space

Before you start shopping for all the best fitness equipment, you’ll need to decide on a spot within your home to work out. Ideally, you should have enough space to do any exercises you have planned. For instance, if you want to jump rope as part of your cardio routine, make sure your ceilings are high enough and that the rope won’t get caught on anything in the area. One way many people revamp their basements is by converting them into gyms. You won’t have to sacrifice a room on the main level by doing this.

Get the Right Gear

Most workout routines focus on balancing cardio with resistance workouts, so you’ll need to buy the appropriate equipment for these exercises. There’s generally no “correct” gear to purchase; the “right” workout equipment is a matter of opinion. Think about what you like doing most so that you always feel motivated to move. If you love running, invest in a treadmill, but consider an elliptical or stationary bike if you need something easier on the knees.

Depending on how much space you have, you may also want to invest in a training bench and barbell for resistance workouts. However, if you have limited space, dumbbells or a kettlebell will work just as well. And don’t overlook the value of smaller pieces of workout equipment such as resistance bands, Hula-Hoops, and gliding disks. All of these encourage you to get your body moving in different ways and experiment with a variety of workouts. Changing your routine keeps exercising fun and works other areas of your body.

Make It Comfortable

At first glance, comfort may not come to mind when you’re considering the essentials for setting up a home gym, but this is an important one. Gear such as a floor mat can keep you comfortable while you’re stretching or doing floor exercises. You may also want to have a fan in the area and a space to keep sweat rags so that you can easily cool down. Keeping a mini fridge in your home gym also gives you easy access to water and post-workout snacks. Many trainers also recommend having a great Bluetooth speaker to pump yourself up with all your favorite songs. You’ll never need to purchase a gym membership again with all the best gear in the comfort of your home!

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Brittany Giles