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A home gym can save you trips to the gym or the box at rush hour, allow you to work out at the time that is most convenient to you and you can use whatever material you need without ever having to wait for it to be available.
If this is what is missing for you to be more motivated and upgrade your workout then this article is for you!
To help you out, we chose some of the most important steps you should take into account when planning to build a home gym:
3. Determine your type of workout
In order to choose all the equipment you need at an early stage, understanding the type of training you’ll be doing is very important to understand how and which equipment you’ll need to include. Between bodybuilding, functional or cardiovascular training, there are several options that complement each other and allow you to perform different types of movements for different goals.
4. Pick your equipment
Once you have set your budget and type of training, it’s time to choose the material you need to equip your home gym.
Here is a list of some equipment that can help you in any type of training:
Barbells and bumpers are an essential for any type of training - from squats, to overhead movements or deadlifts, among others. Invest in a set of weights ideal for your goals and a quality bar to perform your exercises.
If you want to include an element for cardio exercises, choose a treadmill, rower or ski. The rower or ski, for example, are lighter and easier to clean and only use up space when they’re being used. Running outside or jumping rope are also good options if your budget doesn’t allow you to purchase one of these machines.
Kettlebells are an excellent choice for a home gym due to the variety of movements that are possible to execute with them - swings, squats, snatches, thrusters, rows any many others. Get yourself a few different weights so you can switch it up between movements.
The bench is an essential element for strength or hypertrophy training. It allows you to do bench presses, rows and many other moevements. Invest in an adjustable bench so you can adapt it to any workout.
Choose your rack taking in consideration the different movements you’ll be performing - if you want to do squats and pull ups, a Squat Stand and Pull Up Station may be right for you. On the other hand, if you are only looking for a piece of equipment to rack the barbell between movements, a Squat Stand with a Separate Base is the best option because it’s easy to store, takes up little space when stored and has everything you need for weightlifting.
If you’re going to be doing weightlifting, protect your floor with suitable pavement. Rubber pavement is best suited for a home gym because it is easy to assemble and you can move it whenever you need it.
Dumbbells can bring you more versatility when you plan your workouts. You can use them for more specific hypertrophy exercises or even accessory work for functional training. To save on your overall budget, get one or two adjustable dumbbells which will allow you to choose a wide range of weights and you won’t have to overload your space with different weighted dumbbells.
Medicinal balls are an excellent choice if you want to include explosive conditioning workouts that also involve strength. You can use them for wallball shots or even use them for wall slams or weighted russian twists. Choose the right weight for your workout and use your imagination.
This equipment is perfect to attach to your rack or door and perform more complex or accessory movements. It works with your body weight and allows you to choose the intensity you put into the movement. It isn’t an essential for your gym but it can be a good option if you don’t want to invest in several dumbbells or plates at an early stage.
Before and after your workout, stretching and mobility are very important. For muscle tension release, a foam roller or a lacrosse ball may be enough to help you recover from your workouts. Additionally, an elastic band allows you to perform more complex movements like warming up for your workout.
5. Environment
After choosing all the equipment you’re going to invest in for your home gym, work on creating a space that brings you motivation. Posters of athletes who inspire you the most, mirrors to check your posture during the movements or even a board to write down your times or repetitions and follow your progress are all important and can bring you consistency in the long run.
Regardless of the options you have chosen, the important thing is to create a space that is comfortable for your training and lifestyle. A home gym allows you to invite friends and other athletes to work out with you in a more relaxed and informal way than in a gym with more people. You can also introduce a healthier style to those who live with you and, perhaps, change some habits completely.
We leave you a video of a Home Gym assembly made by our team and here you can find more examples of Home Gym.
Stay focused and work hard!