Active Sitting
Over 25 million Americans work out from home, showing that you don’t need to be a gym-goer to stay healthy. Although there are many reasonably priced gyms, some people may find it difficult to spare the cash for a regular payment. Others may not have time to visit the gym every day due to work, family and other responsibilities. There is no reason you can’t achieve a full body workout at home with the right equipment. So, how do you start building one on a tighter budget?
Where Will It Fit?
You might be tight on space as well as money, meaning that your home gym will have to be storage-friendly. Should your home be particularly short on space, you may have to get creative with storage solutions and make the most of the vertical spaces in your home. There are also gym machines which are foldable and easy to store. Many home gym enthusiasts use their equipment in the basement or garage but you can also turn an area of your home into a min-gym or use your front room when no-one is home.
What Are Your Goals?
Do you want to focus on strength training or on your core? Knowing your goals will enable you to tailor your home gym to your needs and save money on equipment that you may never use. To save space as well as money, invest in fitness equipment which works multiple areas as you may want to change your workout routine every few months to increase motivation and work different areas. Some fantastic household additions to your home gym include:
- Soda bottles or food cans (dumbbells)
- Stairs (for cardio)
- Hard back chairs (tricep dips or push ups)
- Towels (for resistance)
A medicine ball is an inexpensive item that is also versatile and can be used in yoga, core exercises and for toning.
Safety Considerations
There may be children or pets around your home that could be hurt by heavy equipment so always ensure it is stored away safely. You will also have to ensure you are using the equipment correctly to prevent overworking or personal injury. Approximately 460,000 Americans were hospitalized in 2012 with accidents or injuries related to using gym equipment so it may be wise to have at least one gym session to learn how to use the equipment in your home safely.
Many workouts incorporate a range of resistance and cardio exercises that require no equipment at all. It doesn’t cost anything to do some regular push-ups, press-ups or lunges and a quick search online will help you to find the exercises you need.
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