Let’s be honest, it’s a struggle to get out to the gym – even when we’re not in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. Finding the motivation to leave the house, finding a locker and dealing with the changing rooms, waiting for the equipment you want to use to become available… the list goes on. That’s why building the ultimate home gym might well be the answer.
Buy the equipment you want to use and never worry about it being ‘available’. Train when you want, and for as long as you like. Tailor your workout to your specific needs, and you only have to find the motivation to move to another room in the house. Plus, when you start to train on your terms, you’ll enjoy it more which will make you more likely to stick to it.
The home workout movement is only just beginning. So, where to start?
CREATING THE ULTIMATE HOME GYM
First things first, you need to find the best spot for your home gym. Think the lowest level of your home, or a garage. Lifting heavy weights can get a little noisy so if you’d rather not hear the ceiling shake or have those blasting tunes pounding around the house, this would be your best option. Concrete floor is also ideal (like you’d find in the garage) especially if you end up unintentionally dropping a large weight. But if you have a basement level too, this could work well.
As well as flooring, you need to think about space – the bigger the better, particularly if you need extra storage at a later date. Temperature should also be a consideration. This time, the cooler the better – so a room with less windows should hit the spot. Otherwise, we’d advise you to invest in a large fan for when you’re really building up a sweat.
The main thing is to have a dedicated space where you can keep the equipment in place ready for next use. Eat, sleep, train, repeat!
EQUIPMENT ESSENTIALS
You can’t have the ultimate home gym without the right equipment. So, here’s a breakdown of the essentials we think you should start with.
Power rack
If you get nothing else, start with a Power Rack – a really versatile piece of kit. Use them to build up strength and endurance, squats, bench presses, pull ups, and dips, to name but a few. They’re also great for beginners as the safety bars make them a safe way to train alone.
Get started with our basic power rack, boasting multiple functions and designed to be used at home. Or, for a value option try out a squat rack which can be incorporated into this section.
Weight Bench/Bar/Plates
Again, weight benches are incredibly versatile and can be used for a wide range of movements, not just bench pressing. An adjustable, folding high-quality bench will give you more options when it comes to training and will allow you to focus on training your chest, shoulders, or back.
A weight bar and plates are also going to be an important purchase as it’s something you’ll likely be using every time you workout. Our 7ft Olympic Barbell is one of the most durable and reliable barbells in the weightlifting industry, offering a maximum weight load of 320kg and can be used with all weight discs of 2-inch diameter.
Dumbbells, Weight Storage and space-saving items
Dumbbells (hand weights) are another essential piece of kit, that don’t take up much space – especially if you have a rack to store them in. We have a range of dumbbells to choose from, including a 9 pair and 12 pair, along with a heavy duty weight rack.
Another great option and an all-in-one workout tool is an adjustable kettlebell. Easily adjusted based upon the type of exercise and level of difficulty desired, this is not only a cost-effective alternative to purchasing a number of traditional kettlebells, but also a great space saver.
Recovery
And when you’re done working out, don’t forget to take the time to use an appropriate recovery tool. Without proper recovery, your workouts are in vain. Mobility balls and our foam roller for example, are one of the best recovery tools to treat muscle pain, increase flexibility, and that all important performance. Even foam rolling for just a few minutes after each workout can significantly decrease delayed onset muscle soreness symptoms. And at the very least, make sure you schedule in some stretching to help you get the most out of your home workout.
Not quite ready for a home gym yet?
Maybe you don’t yet have the space, or you’re not yet ready to make an investment in a full home gym set up, but that doesn’t mean you can’t workout from home. Our 50kg dumbbell set comes in a handy wheeled carry case so you can workout when and where you want, with heavy-duty cast iron material built to last. And if studio equipment is more your thing, our bodypump set with aerobic step is a really fun and manageable piece of kit perfect for home use.
No matter what you’re looking for, we can help you along your journey of building the ultimate home gym and most importantly, getting lean. View our products here: