During the ridiculousness known as Covid-19, gyms and health clubs all over have been closed or locked down. The good news is that just because the gym is closed doesn’t mean sitting around and getting out of shape is the only option. It looks like its time to turn any unused room or vacant garage space into a home gym. Home gyms can be great and vary from extravagant to simplistic. If the plan is to make a temporary home gym till the clubs and gyms fully open back up, or a permanent solution to a temporary situation, the options abound. Here we will cover all the equipment needed for either option.
For those looking to put together a simple temporary exercise spot at the house the list of things necessary to make that happen can be short and easily attainable. However, for those looking to make the solution to the closings into a bit more permanent solution, the necessary equipment might be a longer list. Most people look to both cardio and weight or resistance training in their exercise plans.
For the cardio aspect a simple solution could be a walk, jog, or run through the neighborhood. Another option could be a bike ride through the neighborhood. From Cruisers and mountain bikes to Road bikes and hybrids, check them out here. If you don’t live in an area you want to run or bike ride in or prefer to be inside the option of treadmills, ellipticals, and stationary bikes might fit the bill. For treadmills check out my home treadmills post here. Exercise bikes come in a variety of options both recumbent and upright versions can be found here. Ellipticals are also available for home gyms and many options can be found here. All of these options, whether it be a bike, treadmill, exercise bike, or elliptical, prices can range from around $100 to $500 or more.
Resistance training includes a wide variety of options. Resistance bands, weight machines, and free weights including dumbbells and barbells. Other equipment that would be good to have are workout mats or a weight bench.
Resistance bands are very versatile and usually less expensive options for resistance training. They can provide resistance training for multiple muscle groups by changing the bands or positions. Resistance bands are usually great for the exercise of a whole muscle group and less targeted isolation of individual muscles. A few of the better options include:
Weight machines also known as home gyms can provide resistance training for multiple muscle groups by changing attachments or positions. Weight machines are versatile but usually take up tons of floor space and have higher price tags. A few examples of good home gym machines include:
Free weights, including dumbbells and barbells, are the most versatile option in resistance training. Dumbbells come in fixed or adjustable weights. Barbells come in Olympic sized weighted 2 inch and standard unweighted 1 inch. Likewise, weight plates come in 1 inch and 2 inch sizes. Free weight pricing can be widely variable based on how much you want or need for your individual home gym needs. Basic home gym would need either an adjustable dumbbell set or a couple of different fixed weight dumbbells. Adding a barbell and some weighted plates would round off the home gym. There are also a few options of dumbbell/barbell combo sets available.
Weight benches are a necessity for free weight training. Ok so maybe not a necessity, but working with freeweights without a bench of some sort of bench limits range of motion on some exercises and eleminates the option of others. Some good examples of good weight benches:
Depending on the space available for your home gym, an exercise mat or weight bench would make the best place for your resistance exercise. Exercise mats range in size from small yoga mats to complete room sized 10ftx6ft mats or fully customizable interlocking mats.
So not to worry, if your local gym is closed or restricted during this Covid-19 thing, bring the gym home. If your neighborhood gym requires a mask and you would rather not, get your home gym on and get fit at home.