The current situation with the new covid strain and surging virus cases may not help your New Year's resolution to go to the gym more. As a result, many have decided to reach their fitness goals for 2022 from their home gym.
Maybe you are looking to set up a home gym on a budget, or you are an athlete who needs a dedicated area to create a home gym. Or perhaps, you work from home and need a home gym to help you stay active, which is a great idea.
Whatever your fitness goals are for 2022, creating a home gym does not need to be overwhelming in terms of the budget and time to put it together.
Plan your space and equipment
Your health and fitness goals will determine your space and equipment needs. Before you make your plan for exercising at home, first think about what type of exercise you plan to do at your home gym. Think about the kind of exercises that get you excited and the ones that yield the best results. Are you trying to build muscle or burn fat? The answers you come up with will help you figure out the size of the space you need and what equipment you will use most frequently.
Find the perfect space
You can convert your garage, a spare bedroom, or backyard into a home gym. A small corner in your living room might just be enough to accommodate your home gym.
Start with a few pieces of equipment
When it comes to equipment, you need to resist the temptation to buy them all at once. It is not exactly the smartest move since you are only figuring out how often you will use the gym. It is always best to add as you go. That way, you do not become overwhelmed by all the fancy equipment that you may end up not using.
Start with a few pieces of equipment that you know you can't do without, then build your gym from there. Do not be intimidated by home gyms that you see on the internet or social media, as your goals are different from theirs.
What equipment do you need?
As mentioned earlier, the type of exercise you plan to do will determine what equipment you will need to get started. Also, while trying to keep things down to what you need, keep variety in mind. So here are some options to consider.
Basics
- An exercise mat
- Bench
- Resistance bands
- Jump rope
- Stability ball
Weights
- Dumbbells
- Barbells and plate weights
- Kettlebells
- Medicine bell/sandbags
- Your body weight
Cardio
- Treadmill
- Elliptical
- Indoor cycling bike
- Vertical climber
Non-basic equipment
- Battle ropes
- Punching bag
- Squat rack
Now that you know the basic things you need to set up your home gym, always focus on your goals. Develop a positive mindset so you can continue to chase those fitness milestones. And you can add to the equipment as you make progress. If you need motivation, you can always invite your family and friends to share your gym.
