5 Easy Ways to Set Up a Home Gym
Working out at home is a convenient and cost-effective way to get yourself into shape. While most people assume that home gyms cost thousands of dollars, they can actually be set up with relative ease. Here are five of the simplest things you can do to set up a gym for yourself at home.
Buy a Dip Bar
Dip bars are inexpensive, simple pieces of equipment that can be used for a wide range of different movements. From supporting you while performing standard dips to giving you something to push against while performing inclined push-ups, a dip bar will give you a great deal of latitude in performing body weight exercises.
Set up a Punching Bag
Using a punching bag is a great way to get your cardio in while also building strength. If you don’t want to hang a bag from your ceiling, you can even get a model that uses a weighed base for self-support.
Get Some Basic Weights
In terms of weight room equipment, you don’t need dozens of machines to get fit at home. A basic set of dumbbells, an adjustable barbell and a good weight bench will let you hit most of the major muscle groups with compound lifts. If you have the space, a squat rack can also be useful to have on hand.
Learn to Use Resistance Bands
Though often overlooked, resistance bands are among the most useful and versatile pieces of home workout equipment. Resistance bands can take some adjustment if you’re more used to using dumbbells, but the results you can see with them are impressive. Resistance bands are also great for taking on the go with you, allowing you to squeeze in a quick workout while traveling or even on your lunch break at work.
Buy a Good Treadmill
The one somewhat expensive piece of equipment you’ll need to really complete your home gym is a good treadmill. Ideally, you should get a model that allows you to adjust both the speed and the incline you’re running on, since this will let you gradually increase the intensity of your exercises. If you have knee problems, you can also consider substituting a stationary bike for the treadmill to reduce the impact level of your workouts.
With these five steps, you can set up a home gym that will let you build muscle, get your cardio in and get into better shape in general. Best of all, you don’t have to set up your home gym all at once. By getting one or two pieces of equipment and gradually adding the rest, you start working out quickly while you build your gym up over time.