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5 Affordable Pieces of Equipment for your Home Gym
Going to the gym has become a ritual for lots of people over the last few years. However, not everyone has the time or finances to be able to commit to a full gym membership. As a result, lots of people have started building home gyms.
When you mention a home gym people's thoughts probably turn to cross trainers, treadmills and bikes however, you don't need to spend a fortune to be able to exercise at home a few simple pieces of equipment will enable you to undergo a thorough workout. I mean let's be honest unless you intend to compete in the next Olympics you certainly won't need specialist equipment like parallel bars. So, in this article we have listed five relatively inexpensive pieces of equipment you can use to make a perfectly serviceable home gym.
A Yoga Mat
A yoga mat is a very useful piece of equipment as it will act as cushioning on hard surfaces as well as provide you with traction to ensure there is no risk of you slipping during your workouts. Now obviously a yoga mat is essentially designed for yoga disciples, however, it also works well for other disciplines such as Pilates along with being perfect for the stretching routines that may need you to lie or kneel down. Yoga mats come in a variety of lengths and thicknesses so we'll be able to find one that matches your individual needs.
Good Fashioned Dumbbells
A set of dumbbells can be used in a number of ways to exercise but they are usually most associated with weight training and strengthening routines. The size of dumbbells you decide on will undoubtedly depend on the type of exercise you want to do. If your aim is to improve endurance then we would advise buying lighter weights and doing plenty of repetitions. However, if you build muscle by resistance training them you would probably be better with heavier weights.
An Exercise Ball
The exercise, balance or Swiss ball is designed to improve balance, and stability while improving the strength of your core. The main focus of an exercise ball is the muscles in the abdomen and the back. Using unstable surfaces forces you to use more muscles without increasing the strain on your body. Improving the strength in your core muscles is also thought to reduce the risk of certain types of injury. You should always slightly under inflate the ball as when blown up to its full capacity tends to make exercises easier and as a result, doesn't do the job you want it to.
A Simple Skipping Rope
Skipping is great if you are looking for an intense cardio workout. A skipping rope will also help improve balance and agility. However, the biggest advantage of a skipping rope is that you can use it anytime, anywhere. Contrary to popular opinion there is a wide range of different exercises you can do with a skipping rope. Skipping is also an exercise that can be easily incorporated into circuit training. Let's be honest, boxers have been using a skipping rope as part of their training for many years now.
Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are simple rubber bands that are most commonly used for strength training routines. As with a skipping rope, they can be used anywhere and as such make a good addition to any home exercise space. Resistance bands are an extremely affordable piece of equipment that is really effective when it comes to building strength, mobility and stability. This is born out of the fact that they are regularly used by physiotherapists as a form of rehab for their patients.
So, as you can see you don't need to spend a fortune to provide yourself with the equipment to exercise at home. The items listed above will provide you with all you need at a fraction of the cost of more advanced technology