We all know how important exercise is for our bodies and health, but having the consistency to go to the gym every day can be challenging. Working out at home is always an option and has many advantages, including convenience and saving money. However, you may need to add some equipment to your workout and may be torn about what to buy and in what size. This article explores some of the tips to help you make the best equipment choice.
There are many reasons that people work out, and different equipment can help you achieve different goals. A person working out just to stay fit does not need as heavy materials as someone who is training to become an athlete or gain muscle.
Therefore, before going shopping for your home gym equipment, know your goals. For muscle gain, you need equipment that will help with resistance training. If you want to burn weight, you can consider looking into exercise bikes, rowing machines, or a treadmill.
If you want to build strength, you can buy resistance bands, ankle weights, tubing, and hand weights.
If you are a beginner, you can choose the same equipment as advanced trainers. You need to go slow and buy equipment that will not hurt your muscles.
If you are a beginner looking to lose some weight or build your muscle strength, you can consider buying dumbbells, including a heavier set for lunges and squats and a lighter set for side and overhead lifts. You can also use resistance bands, a fitness ball, and an adjustable bench.
For intermediate trainers, you need to advance a little from the beginner's equipment. You may buy a complete dumbbell set, a set of barbells and plates, a barbell rack, and an exercise bench. You can also go for an advanced multi-gym or free weights.
If you are an advanced trainer, you need advanced equipment, almost similar to those used in the gym. You can opt for a heavy-duty multi-gum, free weights, and a workout bench.
The types of exercises you want to do in your home gym will have a lot of influence on the type of equipment you buy.
If you want to do low-impact cardio, you need easy equipment and fun to use, like recumbent bikes, stair-steppers, elliptical trainers, cross-country ski machines, and rowing machines.
Some of the best equipment include plate sets, barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, and a workout bench if you want strength training exercises. You can also use resistance bands as they will help work the muscles of different body parts.
How big or small is your home gym? That is a question you need to answer before walking into a gym equipment shop.
Whether you have a spare room or work in one part of your basement, you have to ensure that the equipment will fit without compromising your actual workout space. This is especially important if you are considering getting equipment like a stationary bike or treadmill.
Some equipment may fold while others are stationary, but you need to consider the space they occupy in storage and when you are using them.
The best equipment to buy if you have limited space includes folding rowing machines, free weights, folding treadmills, steppers, kettlebells, and abs rollers.
If you have a bigger space, some of the equipment you can buy include elliptical cross trainers, abs trainers, exercise bikes, non-folding rowing machines and treadmills, and multi-gyms.
One of the main things that make it hard for people to accomplish their fitness goals is a lack of consistency and not dedicating enough time. When choosing your home gym equipment, consider how much free time you have.
Some equipment is best used for short and intense exercises, while others work best when used for a long time.
If you have a tight schedule, steppers could be a good choice for you because using them for less than 30 minutes is already an intense cardio workout. You can also add elliptical cross-trainers and abs trainers.
If you have more time and prefer less intensive but long workouts, you can go for a treadmill, stationary bike, or a rowing machine.
You should also consider your body and if you have any underlying health conditions or have aches at certain areas in your body, choose equipment that will cater for that.
There are many different home gym equipment you can choose from with all the above considerations, but your budget will dictate which ones you take with you.
For example, if your budget was $50, you can get equipment like free weights, small stepping machines (around 30 cm high), abs trainers, and accessories like hula hoops.
For less than $100, you can get bikes, treadmills, ellipticals, and rowing machines. For below $500, you could get better quality equipment with added features like bikes, treadmills, and rowing machines.
These prices may vary depending on the size of the equipment, functionality, and features. If you find that you cannot afford brand new equipment, there is no harm in trying second-hand equipment, provided they are in perfect condition.
Sometimes you may be alone, and you need to assemble the equipment or install it in your home gym, but you have nobody to help. Go for equipment that you can handle and properly assemble by yourself.
Warranty always serves as an assurance that everything you are buying is not only in good condition but will also last long enough. Look at the warranty on your equipment. The longer the warranty, the better the equipment.
If the person you are buying from has an online platform, go on there and read the equipment's customer reviews. The seller might advertise them as some of the best, but the customers who bought and used them will never lie about the quality and usability.
You can also consider asking the seller for information about some of their clients. A credible seller will not hesitate to share that information with you. If they hesitate, that is a red flag, and you should probably not buy the equipment.
You can ask a professional trainer or someone who has been working out for a long time to help you with the search. You can tell them about your goals, your space, your budget, and the kind of exercises you want to do. This is important, especially if you are a beginner.
After buying your home gym equipment, you have to learn how to properly use it, especially if you are a beginner. You can do that by watching videos, but the best way to learn how to use your home gym equipment may be by hiring a professional trainer. Learning how to use your equipment will maximize the results you get and ensure that you do not hurt yourself or break any of the equipment.
You also need to know that even if you got the best quality equipment, you only see the results if you use them regularly. If you can, come up with a workout schedule that you are sure will work for you every day. Working out at home sometimes can cause inconsistencies because nobody is watching you. However, you need to practice discipline and consistency; otherwise, you will have used all your money on that equipment for nothing.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.