Setting up your own home gym might seem like an overwhelming task, but by focusing on a few core pieces of fitness equipment, you can get yourself ready to work out in no time at all! Here are 5 pieces of fitness equipment that are the basic building blocks for your first home gym.
Cardio
A cardio machine is a must-have for any home gym. There are many options to choose from, but some good choices are the treadmill, rower, bike, ski or elliptical. Treadmill is staple of most gym, running and walking is the most basic of human movement. However, it may not be suitable for people who have bad knees. Rower and bike are non weight bearing machines, with rower having the advantage of working out the entire body. Finally, the Skipping ropes can also be a good low budget option especially if you do not have enough space. It's important to consider your needs and find the best fit for you!
Squat Rack
A squat rack is a crucial piece of equipment to perform squats, bench press, and maybe pull-ups. Squat racks allow you to rack the weight which can be very difficult to do it off the floor. Some consideration before you start shopping for one: What kind of exercises you be doing on it? How much will you be lifting? How much space you have? How much are you willing to spend? A good squat rack will take up more space than the other pieces of equipment on this list but it's worth it because you'll get more out of it in terms of exercises you can perform on it.
Bench
Another essential equipment you need for your home gym would be a bench. The bench is use for mainly for bench related exercise like bench press and chest fly. Other exercise that will require a bench are step up, split squat and hip thrust. There are 3 main types of benches namely: flat, incline and fid(fix incline decline). Most people will only need a flat bench. The incline bench emphasize the deltoid and upper chest region. On the other hand, the decline bench emphasize the lower chest region. In addition, the decline bench can be used for declined sit-up.
Weights
Weights are an integral part of any fitness routine. Weights allowed us to progressively challenge our muscle to stimulate growth. Weights primary can exist in 2 forms dumbbell and barbell. They can be fixed or adjustable. Dumbbell allow us to train our body unilaterally to avoid muscle imbalances, while barbell allow us to lift heavier. Heavier weights generate more stimulus for our nervous system. Fixed weight dumbbell are more comfortable to use. A whole set may take up a lot of space and not to mention cost quite a lot more. Basic building block movements like bench press, squat and deadlift require a barbell. Hence, it is worthwhile to invest in a good barbell for the long haul.
Gym Flooring
Gym floors must be durable enough to withstand the impact of weights or machines. You not only want your body cushioned during workouts, but you also want to protect your existing flooring. A good gym flooring protect the user, the substrate and the equipment.
Interlocking EVA mats are one of the most popular and affordable options for home gym floors since you can easily configure the tiles to match your needs or move them to a new location. Use these foam tiles to create a gym floor to cushion your joints as you squat, lunge, lift, and more to get your heart pumping. The underside of the textured tiles is grippy enough to stay put, though high-intensity movements might cause some shifting of the interlocked mats. The best thing about these mats is that they can be easily repositioned to fit your workout needs and aren’t a permanent gym flooring installation.
The EPDM Rubber mat tile is the gold standard for home gyms with weight machines, cardio equipment, or plyometric equipment. This gym floor provides a solid surface for any activity you want and protects your floors from repeated movements and heavy equipment. They have interlocking features that prevent them from sliding. In addition, they are durable and easy to clean. Another option to consider would be over-sized MMB PVC Mat for your existing flooring. High-density PVC provide a durable and comfortable surface for any exercise or workout routine, including lifting weights, aerobics, or plyometrics. You can also unroll and reposition the 5mm thick mat at a new location. Comfort padding ensures comfort from any pressure points, while the non-slip texture ensures that it doesn't slip on the floor. This mat is big enough to use for a solo workout. It is also good for 1 cardio machine coverage like treadmill or exercise bike. 2 or 3 mats can be use for larger area to create a seamless look.
Comments