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having some form of workout equipment at home is always going to be a smart move
2020 has certainly been a year for learning how to do things differently. Not least of all, figuring out that expensive gym memberships and certified trainers aren’t always necessary to achieve our fitness goals. In fact, many people have migrated their workouts to their homes, garages or gardens during quarantines and lockdown.
Moving into 2021, building out some kind of home gym, or levelling up the equipment that you already have, could certainly help you stay active and healthy, regardless of the pandemic’s restrictions. Because whether you plan to never return to the gym again, or will be there the moment it reopens, having some form of workout equipment at home is always going to be a smart move. But what exactly is worth buying for your home gym? Here are our top 5 suggestions!
1. Choose Your Cardio Hero
While it’s fairly easy to hit the road for a run or cycle or jump into your pool for a few laps, investing in a targeted cardio machine can really up the game on your cardiovascular prowess. For example, investing in a piece of equipment like a treadmill, exercise bike, rowing machine or elliptical provides a number of unbeatable benefits. Particularly when it comes to not relying on being outside to get your heart-rate up. Because, pandemic aside, you can get your cardio in whether there is rain or shine. Plus, many of these machines also have targeted cardio benefits that can assist your specific goals!
Aren’t keen on spending the budget required for a whole cardio machine? No problem, we’ve got you covered. Because even a simple jump rope can help you get your cardio workout in at home.
2. All-in-One Strength Training
For many people looking to invest in a home gym, they understandably want a total package. It needs to fit in one space (sometimes this space is limited), have all the options that they want, and ultimately help them build muscle and reach overall fitness. That’s where all-in-one strength training home gym equipment can be incredibly effective. This is true even for serious lifters who need a home gym that can take a beating, as well as powerlifters, bodybuilders and strength athletes. When it comes to getting a comprehensive system going, it all starts with a great squat rack that suits many attachments and (usually) a pull-up bar.
3. Start Your Weight Collection
A set of dumbbells and kettlebells can open up a whole new world of opportunity when it comes to doing your workouts at home. You can use these kinds of hand weights to do isolated strength exercises like bicep curls, amp up the resistance by holding them during compound exercises like lunges, and so much more! If you’d really like to up your game in this arena, invest in a sturdy and versatile weight bench too. And if you would like to get some weight plates too, but are not too keen on wrecking your home or garage floors, rubber weight plates feature an extra layer of rubber coating for safety, protection and longevity. The finish also tends to ensure that the plates are longer lasting and harder wearing too.
4. Lean into the Resistance
Another aspect of your home gym that will really optimise the results you see from your training is resistance accessories. These include a variety of fitness products that can be used to target different muscles, both upper body and lower body, as well as your core! Everything from medicine balls to resistance bands or even cable attachments and ankle weights, will up the intensity of your workouts. That being said, some training accessories can enhance your workout, while others can offer an entire workout on their own.
5. All of The Little Things That Count
If you want to work out at home, you will 100% need a mat for active recovery days when you do yoga or stretches, as well as for any floor exercises. Speaking of core, getting an ab roller is a great investment in building the power and endurance that you need from your stomach muscles. Once all is said and done, getting a foam roller is also critical. It can help relieve muscle tightness, soreness, and inflammation, as well as increase your joint range of motion. Foam rolling can also be an effective tool to add to your warm-up or cool down, before and after exercises too!
Best of all, once your home gym is up and running it will offer you a whole range of flexibility so that you can vary your routines in any way that you feel is necessary to meet your goals. In short, it will have the potential to be one of the best investments you can make for your health in 2021!