Investing in home gym equipment can at first seem like a daunting prospect for many fitness goal-seekers, but ultimately a lot of people find it worth the money. Especially in these uncertain times where the need for social distancing might occasionally force gyms to close, it is advantageous to have other options.
Buying exercise machines may wind up being more cost-efficient in the long run when compared to gym memberships, trainer fees, and travel costs. Additionally, the convenience of working out from home with a few targeted pieces of equipment is attractive to those who do not have the time or motivation to leave home to exercise.
The following are a few items that you might not yet have considered or previously written off but are certainly worthy additions to any home gym.
For the home gym uninitiated, buying an exercise bike is a great starting point. Cost-wise, you have a wide variety of choices. Thus, you should always be able to find the right bike for your budget. Bikes tend to be more affordable than treadmills across the board. Although, you can always opt for fancier models equipped with sophisticated high-tech elements. They also generally take up less space, especially the kind that fold up. Considering the convenience of bikes when it comes to squeezing in fast, effective cardio workouts any time of day, they are certainly worth the money.
In the era of smart homes, smart cars, and more, it is no surprise that the tech revolution has touched exercise machines as well. These futuristic items may come with wide high-definition screens, precision digital adjustments, and the ability to track your movements, which help you improve your form during each exercise. Some even come with subscriptions that give you access to virtual coaches and other live perks to assist your workout effectiveness and motivation. These machines can be pricey, but if you struggle to design and commit to routines on your own, "smart" exercise equipment can provide you the guidance that you need.
On the other end of the spectrum are suspiciously simple-seeming resistance bands. People sometimes pass over resistance bands in favor of heavier, more expensive equipment because they underestimate their utility. Resistance bands can be just as practical as dumbbells, kettlebells, and other strength-training items, but they can be just a fraction of the cost, size, and weight. Resistance bands increase the intensity of numerous workouts you can do without equipment such as planks, lunges, and squats. Quality brands engineer anti-snap features either in the elastic material or by covering the bands in a nylon protective sleeve. Manufacturers typically include all the essential accessories like handles, ankle straps, anchors, and carrying pouches.
These are not like your parents' generation dumbbells. When you envision dumbbells, you probably think of the racks of different sizes available at gyms. When designing your gym at home, this can seem impractical at first since it appears you need to buy another set every time you grow stronger. Luckily, adjustable dumbbells are optimal for when you want to strength train at home with good-quality equipment that is also a solid investment. The best dumbbells provide 15-18 different settings and can be adjusted just by turning a dial. They also look elegant and tidy as they claim very little space in your exercise room.
Rowing machines might also be intimidating at first in terms of price and the amount of space needed. However, smaller, more lightweight, and more affordable rowing machines are available. Some fold up or at least are splittable into two parts for easy storage. If you have the space and the cash, you can get yourself one that is slick and top-of-the-line. Rowing machines are worth spending money on overall because they offer a total-body workout but with less impact on joints than running, for example. You can get cardio as well as muscle-toning accomplished with time on your rowing machine, working your abs, back, legs, and arms.
If you have been on the fence about starting your home gym or simply in a rut, I hope this has provided some much-needed inspiration to get you going again. Well-designed and highly effective exercise machines are out there that can jumpstart your fitness goals and take you to the next level. All you need is to know what you want to work on, how much space you have, and how much you can spend. For any budget, there is equipment that is well worth making the purchase.