When it comes to building yourself a home gym, you don’t need loads of super fancy equipment. In fact, you don’t even need anything electronic. In the post, you’re going to learn how to build a home gym for the price of one treadmill or resistance machine. As a compromise, you may have to go outside a little. But, what’s a workout if no one gets to see, eh?
THE LOCATION
Most homes have some space going spare, even if it’s just the corner of the room. Of course, some places will have less space than others. But, even if you have to use the space under your bed as storage, you can find space for most equipment anywhere. Choose somewhere that you can be alone. It’s hard to workout with people there, which is usually one of the reasons for having a home gym in the first place. You should also choose somewhere that can be both cool and warm.
THREE BARS AND A FEW WEIGHTS
Most upper body exercises can be performed using dumbbells or a barbell. They’re better than a resistance machine because they allow you to move in a more natural way. This gives you the benefit of building muscle where it’s actually used. They aren’t quite as safe, though, so be careful! You can often find the bars for these pieces of equipment for extremely low prices. Plus, you only need to get one set of weights for them; if you get the same width bars, the same size weights will fit on each bar. You only need one barbell bar, but it’s worth having two dumbbell bars. This will give you all of the tools you need to start building some muscle!
A GOOD OL’ BENCH
Of course, weights are made much more versatile when a bench is introduced. A bench allows you to perform exercises that can’t be done standing up, like back and tricep exercises. Some benches can be used for more, as well. They can aid you with exercises like situps and pushups, making the exercises more effective. Like bells, benches can be found for little to nothing. If you don’t mind getting something second-hand, some places will even give them to you for free. A bench is an essential component for anyone looking to get shredded.
A MOUNTAIN BIKE
Bikes are a great way to exercise. Not only does cycling increase your fitness, but it also strengthens your legs and your core, as well. Of course, you’ll have to go outside to do some cycling. But, a lot of people find that stepping outside to do their workout actually pays off. There are less distractions outside, and it feels like you’ve gone out to do a job. A mountain bike is particularly good for this because of their gearing. They’re generally harder to ride than a road bike, regarding speed and stamina. But, that’s a good thing. If the bike makes your work harder, you’ll get fitter, faster. They’re also good for this because they can be found extremely cheaply if you get them second hand. And, even new mountain bikes won’t set you back too much.
SOME RUNNING SHOES
If you want to get fit quickly, running is one of the best ways to do it. Not many exercises will push your body in the same way that running does. And, like with cycling, doing your exercise outside can lead to great benefits. It’s worth investing in a decent pair of running shoes, though. Because running can also be one of the most strenuous exercises on your joints, as well. For this reason, you should avoid running on hard ground, and try to stick to grassy areas. If that’s not possible, though, you can consider getting some knee braces as well.
JUST ONE MORE BAR…
Bodyweight exercises are some of the best. It makes sense to work towards being able to lift yourself, before lifting anything else. A chinup bar is a great way to do this. They’re always ultra-compact and will sit between a door frame. They use pressure to hold themselves in place, so you don’t have to damage the door frame to install it. Chinups will work your arms and back, as well as your core. It’s a healthy and satisfying way to start the day if you enjoy that sort of thing. They’re incredibly cheap, as well. And, if you want to be adventurous, you can always make one yourself. To help you out with body weight exercises learn more about Max Workouts.
AN AEROBIC STEP
Although often seen as a tool used by old women to get fit, an aerobic step is a great way to fit. They don’t limit you to the outdoors so that you can use them rain or shine. And, if you use the right exercises, they can tire you out beyond belief. Although they might not stand up to running or cycling, they make a great alternative if you don’t want to go out in bad weather. They’re also very cheap and easy to store.
GO FOR A SWIM
Of course, when you’re looking for cheap gym ideas, you probably won’t even consider building a pool. And, that makes sense. It would just be silly. But, a lot of houses already have swimming pools. It could just be a matter of giving it a clean. Or, if you don’t have your own pool, you can try to find somewhere else that you can swim for free. The world is filled with slow flowing rivers, beaches, and lakes that make it easy to have a swim for free. Just make sure that it’s legal to swim where you choose, and that it’s safe. Water can often carry diseases that will make you very much the opposite of fit. Swimming will work out nearly all of the muscles in your body, plus it’s great for cardio. It also doesn’t cause damage to any part of your body, like other exercises.
Hopefully, this will inspire you to get out there and start building your own budget home gym! It’s nice and easy, once you get started. And, once you start exercising at home, you won’t want to stop. Good luck and get fit!
