There’s no shame in admitting that you don’t have the confidence to go to the gym. Millions of people feel the same way. There are other people looking at you, you’re inexperienced and you could be shy about how you look in workout clothes. It’s common to feel inadequate in the gym when you’re surrounded by others that have better physiques. Other things like not having a gym that’s close by where you live and not having a car to get you there are very valid reasons for not going. And yet, you still want to work out and become healthier. You want a fitter body and a figure that will give you the confidence you crave. On the surface, it doesn’t look that complicated, but you feel like you’re in a catch 22. Why not start creating a gym at home?
Where to base it
The garage is a great place to create your own gym. If you don’t use it for anything like storing your car and other things like a lawnmower and or toolbox, you could have more than enough space for one or two people to work out comfortably. Garages are inherently cold so you may want to think about fitting air conditioning to the outside or perhaps using a portable heater to spread the heat around the room when you’re using it.
If you have a spare room downstairs, this is also a good place to make a miniature gym. There are just a few things you need to make a basic workout zone. Make sure the floor is able to take the extra weight of your equipment as the floorboards could bend or crack under the pressure. Keeping a lock on the door is essential if you have small children in the home as falling dumbbells could result in serious injury.
The type of equipment
Free weights are incredibly versatile, so this is the first equipment type that you should invest in. If you’re not trying to build mass and you’d rather just tone your body, look for toning dumbbells which are usually plastic and weighted with sand. If you’re completely unaware of what kind of things you need, read different reviews on the quality fitness equipment. Take a look at the top spin bikes of 2019 to see what kind of choices you have for your needs, budget, and style. Some indoor bikes are designed more for athletes and others for the casual home workout enthusiast.
Bodyweight exercises are the best bang for buck solution for your home gym. Therefore, get yourself a foam aerobics mat which you can use for push-ups, situps, and yoga. Aerobics and pilates are quite popular because they enter your heart rate into the zone needed to burn fat but you don’t need a lot of room to get your blood pumping. Get an aerobics step pad that can be used for both upper and lower body exercises. And finally, if you just want something really simple, buy a treadmill that will allow you to jog to your desires. Start off slow with a walk, then incline the surface to steepen the angle and get a better pump in your glutes and hamstrings.
Abnormal workout needs?
The beauty of a home gym is, you never have to share equipment with complete strangers. You will never have to search for the right equipment you want for the type of workout you’re adamant about doing. Get yourself a wheel roller to tone your upper body. This is technically a bodyweight exercise as you’re using your own weight as the force pushing and pulling against you. The wheel roller is great for trimming your triceps and getting more definition in your shoulders.
Tension ropes are also, impressively versatile. You can use them for just about anything. Stand on top of the band in the center. Then, while grabbing the handles, do some standing shoulder spreads. Tension bands are great for lower body workouts. Stand inside the band. While keeping one foot planted flat on the floor, push the other leg outward while keeping it straight as well. This will give you an amazing workout all down the outer side of your leg. There’s no better way to give your IT band a good workout.
Refreshments on tap
Gyms are fully aware that many people don’t bring their own refreshments and that providing drinks and snacks to their customers is vital. For your home gym, you should also have refreshments which you can use at any moment. A mini-fridge kept in the corner is a great fountain of relief you can dip into as and when needed. Keep a little bowl of protein bars or fruit which you can eat, immediately after your workout to keep your energy levels high. This is especially recommended if you plan on working out in the morning, before work.
Creating an atmosphere
Lots of gyms have high-definition televisions fitted to the walls to provide their customers with a little entertainment between sets. However, it’s also good for a little bit of background noise so you’re not just listening to your own heartbeat through your temples. You never know, if you switch it over to a music channel, you could hear a song that gives you more motivation. This may seem trivial but anything that gives you more fight and energy in your workouts will get you closer to your desired physique, quicker.
Natural lighting
Don’t forget that natural lighting is always better than ceiling lights. A window must be present in your home gym to allow sunshine to pierce the room. You should also open the window from time to time to clear the hot, sweaty, muggy air.
A few dumbbells, a bicycle, aerobics mats and perhaps a treadmill, and you have a nice basic gym that you can use anytime you want. A home gym can and should be anything you want it to be. If you’re more into aerobics, kit your floor out with the best foam pads, yoga mats, and step mats. Always have some refreshments nearby in your mini-fridge so you can remain hydrated without needing to refill your bottle at a tap in another room.
