No matter your fitness goals, working out at home has always been a great way to get fit without an expensive gym membership. And now that we're all spending a lot more time at home, it's a great time to upgrade your flex space into your ideal home gym.
Work (Out) with What You've Got
The ideal flex room is, well, just that: an entire room built, designed, and equipped with your needs and/or hobbies in mind. But if your flex room is more of an alcove or even just the corner of your living room, you can still work with the space you have to create an adequate home gym.
If you've got that entire room, you've got a lot of options. But if your space is limited, the key is to pick workouts that don't need a lot of it.
Classic exercises — like sit ups, push ups, lunges, and squats — don't require too much room, and they still produce results. Jump roping is also a great cardio option that doesn't need much space. You could also take your cardio to the streets (or sidewalk) to make room in your flex area for space-saving workout equipment like a TRX system or a door-mounted pull up bar.
Home Gym Equipment Essentials
Before you pull out the credit cards to buy a new treadmill or weight resistance machine, start with the basics. There are plenty of ways to get a full workout without breaking the bank.
Get started with some simple, multipurpose equipment:
- A yoga mat for yoga, pilates, and stretching
- Resistance bands for strength training and stretching
- A kettlebell (or two) for weight-lifting and adding resistance to body weight workouts
You can also up the ante with more intermediate home workout equipment:
- Dumbbells for upper body work
- Medicine balls for strength training
- A foam roller for stretching and massaging tight muscles
- A full-length mirror to help keep correct form and minimize injuries
Building on a Budget
The best way to build your home gym without overdoing it is to start with the essentials above, and slowly add new items one at a time as they're needed. In other words, when approached the right way, it can be easy to fully equip your home gym on a budget.
Find Bargains
Off-price department stores like Marshall's, Ross, or TJ Maxx are great spots to find yoga mats, kettlebells, dumbbells, resistance bands, and other workout accessories. The same goes for big-box stores: you can find the essentials at places like Target, often for way less than you'd pay at a sporting goods store.
Shop Secondhand
For bigger pieces of equipment, shopping secondhand is the best way to get your money's worth. Check out Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or your local Good Will or other secondhand finds store for treadmills, exercise bikes, benches, pull up bars, and more.
Exercise for Free
If you're just getting into the workout game, before you invest a ton in equipment you may end up not using, try bodyweight workouts. They're completely free, and despite what fitness infomercials might tell you, you can get fit without paying a dime. Which brings us to...
Avoid Exercise Gimmicks
Be sure to do your research before making any equipment purchases. Be wary of any products making lofty claims that promise super-fast results. Gimmicky exercise products are often either too expensive for what they are, or aren't versatile enough to exercise your entire body.
Make the Most of Your Home Gym with Natural Light
Once you've got your flex space converted into your ideal home gym, consider upping the natural light with skylights or a sun tunnel! But how does natural light help with your workout?
While it may not literally pump up your muscles, regular exposure to natural light is beneficial to your overall health and wellbeing. Studies have shown that more exposure to natural light can help increase energy levels and boost productivity. It also helps us see more clearly without the added eye strain artificial lighting can cause.
So, while a skylight may not be a home gym requirement, it can help enhance your workouts! Book a free virtual consult to learn more about how skylights can transform your home gym flex space.
