Going to the gym is a great way to get and stay fit and healthy, but it’s not a realistic goal for many of us. Travel time can be a killer, and the ongoing associated costs might not be a burden we can realistically afford. Instead, the alternative of operating a home gym can be a vastly superior option, and it’s more attainable for beginners than you might think.
Covering Your Bases
A full gym setup can be expensive, but if you’re a beginner, you won’t need to go all out. To prevent injury and slowly work yourself up into a new pattern, simple and low-cost equipment can be perfect. There’s also a good chance that you’ll be able to visibly detect rapid progress through what is commonly called newbie gains.
For gear, you’ll want to aim for equipment that can cover all your major muscle groups while including cardio work. To keep it simple, let’s break this down into components. Your ultimate goal is to cover push exercises, pull exercises, core exercises, and leg exercises.
Yoga mat
Useful for stretching (extremely important), as well as core work.
Weight bench
A base for many other exercises. Many models can be folded up to use less space.
Dumb bells
Very helpful when combined with the weight bench and yoga mat. Key exercises include:
- Dumb bell rows for lats and triceps.
- Chest press for pecs and biceps.
- Lateral raises and shrugs for shoulders and traps.
- Lunges and deadlifts for legs. If you’re bold, Bulgarian split squats are also glute killers.
Walking pad
These simple forms of treadmills are much smaller than their traditional cousins, and are fantastic for hitting step goals. Put on a show and get walking, and you’ll be surprised at how quickly you can hit your targets.
Each of these exercises has many guides online for you to follow along with until they become second nature. You might also want to eventually upgrade the equipment as you progress, and look at running or cycling as more intense cardio workouts.
Adding Online Support
Just because you’re working out at home doesn’t mean you’re limited to exercising alone or without further support. Online live training help can aid in furthering your fitness journey, with proven approaches available from anywhere with an internet connection. YouTube can be a great way to learn the very basics here, and you’ll find everything you need regardless of your setup. Online live training from the likes of Louisa Drake, Courtney Black or Revival Yoga can also be a great way to track your form with one-on-one classes or group fitness classes if you’d prefer a more social feel.
This kind of support for livestreaming is newer in the fitness space, but it’s already enjoyed a long and successful history in other industries. Online live casinos are a standout example, where titles like Roulette Live and Wonderland Luckyball blend the physical feel of a casino with the convenience of at-home play. Like fitness programs, these can also be utilised over mobile or computer systems, so users always have access to flexibility, regardless of how they wish to engage. These approaches aren’t exactly like being there physically, but for the right person, they might be far superior options.
The final component of starting positive gym habits at home is to find a routine that works for you. It’s common to go in with the best intentions, and then put them off and not restart. This is normal, since the first steps are often a battle with yourself. Experimentation is key, as is examining and overcoming where you might struggle. Eventually, it becomes much easier, but it’s up to you to build a path to this point.