The Gen XY Lifestyle
How to Build a Home Gym on a Budget
In recent times, due to the pandemic, most of us are avoid visiting crowded places. And it’s understandable. Many people have resulted to exercising at home to keep fit and beat boredom. If you are looking to start the year on a high note, building a home gym is an excellent idea. All you need is a workout space and a few pieces of fitness equipment and you are good to go.
How much does it cost to build a home gym?
In this article we’ll recommend some equipment that are both high quality and affordable. If you are ready to get off the couch and burn calories, read on.
Treadmills
When looking to build a budget home gym, a running machine or treadmill is must-have equipment. And no, we are not talking about the ugly, hulking traditional treadmills that most people turn to clothes hangers. You need a smart folding treadmill.
Modern treadmills have lots of user friendly features. A good running machine offers preset programs for guided exercising, has well-cushioned belt to protect knees, and offers high speeds for treadmill high intensity interval training (HIIT). Also, the best fold flat treadmill can easily slip under a couch or bed for easy storage.
Stationary bike
Another piece of equipment that’s suited for your home gym is a stationary bike. There are two types of bikes to consider.
Recumbent bike: This piece of equipment comes with a seat with back support. A recumbent bike is ideal for people with back and knee problems and the elderly. It allows for gentle exercising. It burns calories at a slower pace when compared to the traditional upright bike.
Upright bike: Riding on an upright bike is similar to cycling outdoors. You’ll maintain the same cycling position and use the same muscles. An upright bike has a smaller footprint compared to a recumbent bike and some bikes have resistance bands that allow for upper body workouts. So, if you are looking for a machine for full body exercising, you can’t go wrong with an upright stationary bike.
Resistance bands
Looking for a low-cost product for your budget home gym? Costing as little as USD 10, resistance bands are ideal for people of different fitness levels. According to research, using a stretchy band helps improve flexibility, balance and gait. Some exercises you can do using resistance bands include
- Lateral walking
- Deadlifting
- Standing obliques
- Bicycle crunches
- Resistance band squats
Also, these stretchy bands are small and easy to pack so you can travel with them and never miss your routine. You can use the bands to tone your body from the comfort of your home or office.
Dumbbells
When it comes to toning the upper body, dumbbells are the equipment of choice for many people. You can choose between fixed dumbbells and adjustable dumbbells. If you are a beginner, we recommend you go for 2kg to 4kg set of dumbbells. Beginner friendly strength training exercises include
- Bicep curls
- Dumbbell bench press
- Lunges
- Lateral raises
For intermediate and advanced levels, we recommend adjustable dumbbells. This type of dumbbell allows you to adjust the weight depending on the exercise and your level of fitness. Some of the exercises you can do include
- Split squats
- Chest flyes
- Dumbbell shoulder presses
- Overhead press
- Floor press and more
All-in-one home gym
If your budget is flexible, consider a home gym. This type of fitness equipment comes with multiple stations that enable you to exercise the whole body. A good home gym includes a leg press station for leg day, a dip station, a pec station, and a bench. Home gyms are on the larger side, so you need to set aside enough space in your garage.
Benefits of home gym
Besides helping you stay safe, other benefits of building a home gym include:
- Flexibility: How many times have you skipped a workout session because ‘something came up’? With fitness equipment in home, you can exercise before heading out, early morning, or late night before bed. You get to choose the time that works for you.
- Equipment selection: Commercial gyms are okay but they are designed for the general public. Most often than not, you’ll find more treadmills and spin bikes than ab machines. So, if your training calls for an ab machine, you may have to look for another gym. But, with a homegym, you have the opportunity to select equipment that is required for your training.
- Affordability: How much do you spend on gym membership? According to statistics, most people spend about USD 58 per month or USD 700 a year. A good treadmill will set up back about USD 500.
A home doesn’t have to break your bank. With the equivalent of an annual gym membership, you can purchase a combination of a treadmill or stationary bike, a set of adjustable dumbbells, resistance bands and a power tower or power rack.
Image: Photo by Greg Rosenke on Unsplash
