1) Set Realistic Goals
2) Set up your space
3) Get the Necessary Equipment
4) Focus on using free weights, then machines
5) Avoid fad diets and extreme exercise routines
6) Enjoy results
7) Schedule it in your calendar, like any other appointment or event.
8) Hydrate yourself regularly.
9) Get help with motivation if you need it.
10) Have Fun!
A home gym can be one of the best investments you ever make, and it can have an incredible impact on your health. Having the equipment and space to work out at home eliminates commuting time, not to mention the stress of dealing with traffic or crowds at the gym.
But as anyone who’s ever set up a home gym knows, having all that equipment isn’t free – but luckily, you don’t need to spend too much money in order to get started! Here are ten tips on how to start a home gym on a budget.
Many people struggle to maintain a regular workout routine, especially if they don’t have access to gym equipment during their work day. Having access to the latest and greatest workout equipment isn’t always feasible, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get in your workouts on days when you can’t get to the gym. Here are 10 tips for starting a home gym on a budget, whether it’s your first or tenth!
If you’re dreaming of the day when you can work out in your own home gym, you don’t have to wait until you win the lottery to realize that dream. Setting up a home gym doesn’t require you to have a huge amount of money, and in fact, it’s cheaper than getting a membership at your local gym! All you need are some basic workout tools and the right motivation, and you can get on track to attaining your goals sooner than you might expect. To help make that happen, here are 10 tips to help you start your own home gym on the cheap.
First and foremost, it’s critical to be realistic when you start your home gym. For many people, especially those who are just starting out, it makes sense to start off with one or two of these things at first—instead of trying to purchase them all at once.
Goals are great, but they’re useless if you don’t work toward them. Start small with your home gym by purchasing just one piece of equipment—maybe a bench press or pull-up bar. After mastering that, add more weight to it. Before you know it, you’ll have an entire home gym set up and ready to go! And don’t forget about exercise variety; always mix in some cardio with your strength training for maximum results.
Before you begin purchasing equipment, think about where you’ll set up your home gym. You may want to dedicate an entire room (or rooms) of your house or apartment specifically to working out, but if you don’t have that kind of space, think about using just one corner or dividing off part of a room. This will save you money and limit wear and tear on your equipment. Use pieces that are movable: Don’t tie yourself down to fixed pieces like weight benches if possible.
If you’re going to start your own home gym, you need to get all of your equipment before you can start working out. Be sure to buy what’s necessary—and only what’s necessary. You don’t need expensive machines if all you want is resistance training and cardio. Consider buying exercise equipment that is affordable, can fit in your apartment or house, and won’t take up too much space. Once you have everything that fits into these criteria, use it!
Research shows that free weights are more effective than machines at strengthening multiple muscle groups and reducing injury risk, but they can be intimidating. Start by using machines to learn how to squat, deadlift, and lunge correctly. Once you’re comfortable with these exercises—and can do them without assistance—it’s time to invest in a complete set of dumbbells or kettlebells. They’ll take up space, but you’ll get better results over time.
If you’re looking to build muscle, an extreme exercise routine will get you nowhere. If your goal is to lose weight, fad diets are never sustainable in the long term. Fad diets don’t actually teach you how to eat properly—they simply cut out all carbs or fat—so most people who go on these diets end up gaining more weight than they lost when they return to normal eating habits.
There’s an easy way to make sure you have no choice but to follow through with your home gym: You need to enjoy it. Sure, exercise is great for feeling better about yourself and even losing weight (if that’s one of your goals), but if you don’t enjoy it, you might find ways to avoid doing it.
Depending on your goals, it may be best to schedule workouts in your calendar and put them first, above other activities. If you’re trying to lose weight, schedule workouts before work or after dinner. If you’re trying to gain muscle, try scheduling your workout right after you eat lunch or right before bed.
Staying hydrated is essential to maintaining healthy cell function, keeping your muscles and joints working properly, supporting brain health, and just generally feeling great. If you’re exercising regularly at home, staying hydrated is even more important than it would be if you were sitting at a desk all day: physical activity increases your need for water. Drink before, during, and after exercise to keep yourself healthy.
When you’re working out at home, it can be very easy to lose your motivation if you don’t have someone else supporting you and helping to keep you going. If your friends or family are not providing enough of a push, consider hiring a personal trainer to help you achieve your goals.
Home gyms are extremely popular—not just among people who want to get into shape, but also athletes and people involved in sports that require specific training equipment. Most home gyms consist of some combination of dumbbells, weight machines, exercise mats, and other fitness equipment. Don’t be intimidated by all those options! Pick your favourites and you’ll have plenty of exercises at your disposal.
