By : Tony Solomon
We are all generally busy with our lives, so it is no surprise that a lot of people have a hard time turning regular exercise into a commitment. We are all aware of the benefits of regular workouts – improved energy, decreased stress, and a good boost of self-confidence. However, going all the way to the gym, waiting for your time to use the equipment, and then going back home tends to be the reason why a lot of people quit exercising. Besides, memberships aren’t cheap, and the hours are limited. So, why not make your own home gym that you can enjoy? Here are the essential items that you need.
Medicine Ball
If core strength movements and plyometric exercises are what you’re aiming at, then you definitely need to get yourself a medicine ball. There are many ways that you can make use of it. You can throw it, carry it, do abdominal exercises with it, etc. It would be a smart idea to look for a medicine ball that is soft, that it’s easier for you when you do any exercises that include throwing or catching it. Remember that many exercises with the medicine ball are all about power and speed.
Dumbbells
If you’re going to bring weight into weight training, it goes without saying that you need to get dumbbells. There is a wide variety of exercises that you can do with them, so buying them for your home gym is a must. A tip – you should look for hex-shaped dumbbells that are made of black rubber coating. This is due to the fact that these are the most comfortable for workouts and last long enough. Get yourself about 3-5 sets in various weights, for different exercises that you are going to do, and the strength that you’ll be gaining in time.
Adjustable Bench
You should get the best adjustable bench that you can afford. It is truly not something that you want to go cheap on. Remember that its purpose is to hold you up while you’re working out with hundreds of pounds of weight. Think about what kind of bench you need. They are benches for a number of positions, so it’s important that you decide what kind of exercises you’ll be doing on one. Are you looking for a solution that targets every muscle in your upper body and chest, so that you can do as many inclines as possible? Or is 3-4 inclines enough?
Kettlebell
You will often hear that kettlebells aren’t that important for your gym. The fact is that many kettlebell movements can be done almost the same way by using a dumbbell. However, there are particular kettlebell movements that are one-of-a-kind, and simply have better effects or prove more of a challenge if you actually use a kettlebell. Therefore, if you’re looking for a variety in your exercise routines, make it a part of your gym set. Tip – get kettlebells that have big smooth handles and don’t have any painted coating.
Jump Rope
It’s definitely been awhile since you’ve used a jump rope, right? Well, you’ll be surprised to learn that it’s harder than it seems. And it is, in fact, a brilliant cardio exercise. Furthermore, it is a great workout for your coordination as well. If this is something that you are new at, get yourself a durable rope and don’t worry too much about details. However, if you are a skilled rope-jumper, get yourself either a wire lightweight rope so that you can exercise speed and timing, or a weighted rope to work out your strength.
Air Conditioner
While this isn’t directly related to your exercising, the fact is that you certainly don’t want stale air in your home gym. Therefore, experts at Climacool suggest getting a proper air conditioning system that will make working out comfortable. You’ll also want it to be nice and cool during hot summer days, and warm when winter comes knocking at your door.
Rings
Rings are light and great for weight exercises. You can really boost up your workouts because there is a wide variety of gymnastic exercises that you can do with them. Look for the kind of brand that is light and easy to hang.
In summation
Making a home gym is a brilliant solution as it saves you from getting a gym membership and taking a trip there. You get to choose your own workout props, and don’t have to wait for your turn to use them. Make sure that you get these 7 essential items for your home gym.
