Do you love working out but find that even with your gym membership, you are skipping out on workouts? Maybe it’s time to consider creating your very own home gym.
I LOVE working out but I feel gym intimidation like something fierce anytime I step into a gym or a fitness class. The thought of someone judging me or making fun of me behind my back or not knowing how to use the equipment prevented me from getting a gym membership until I was almost 30 years old…y’all, that is sad but I know I’m not alone in feeling the way I do.
Because of my “gym intimidation,” it has always been a goal of mine to set up a home gym so that I could enjoy working out in a judgment-free zone. Luckily in the house we bought we have a tiny bedroom that we have slowly converted into an office/home gym.
Benefits of a Home Gym
I’m not going to lie, I really did start to enjoy having my gym membership (until COVID hit) but I have found there are so many benefits to carving out space to workout at home.
Having a home gym at my fingertips eliminates any excuse to not get a workout in. I no longer have to rush home from work, change, and drive to the gym. There is no bundling up in the winter months to hit the gym, waiting for other people to finish using the equipment, and no hard to get out of gym contracts!
Our home gym has been completely customized by us based on the type of workouts we enjoy which allows us to maximize the small space the best we can.
Home Gym Myths
I have heard time and time again that you can’t get a good workout at home. That is completely false! If you feel you aren’t getting an effective workout in, then you are doing it wrong. Try mixing up the types of workouts you are doing, adding extra weight, hold your isometric holds longer! I promise you, you can achieve an optimal workout at home!
If you are looking for workouts you can do at home, check out this list of my favorite fitness apps!
Building A Home Gym
Building a home gym is not something we accomplished overnight. As I’m sure you are well aware, bigger home gym equipment can be expensive. The first home gym space I ever had in my first apartment consisted of a yoga mat, a pair of 5lb dumbbells, and a booty band. Since then I have been able to expand our equipment into what we have now.
When deciding which equipment pieces you will purchase, it’s important to have a clear goal in mind. Think about the type of workouts you enjoy doing on a routine basis and what kind of gym equipment is associated with those workouts. Having a clear goal in mind will help you narrow down specific gym equipment and will allow you to stick to a tight budget.
How to Personalize your Space
The sky is the limit when it comes to personalizing your home gym.
If your space is on the smaller side, utilize your walls! Set up floating shelves or a pegboard with hooks to hang resistance bands, jump ropes, or hold your free weights. Pinterest has a plethora of inspirational design ideas for your space!
Maybe you need some extra motivation? Check out these motivational gym quotes and hang them on the wall!
I am a big fan of distracting myself at all costs while I’m working out…time flies when you are having fun! Think about hanging a small TV to watch Netflix while you run or lift weights. Or grab a Bluetooth speaker and pump the jams!
Essential Home Gym Equipment
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Now for the good, good…all the gym equipment you need to start your own gym. We have purchased all of our gym equipment from either Marshall’s, Amazon, Walmart, or Target.
Yoga Mat
Foam Roller/Deep Tissue Massager
Resistance Bands
Booty Bands
Set of Dumbbells
Kettlebell
Other Miscellaneous Equipment
This other miscellaneous equipment we did not have until recently. It is definitely not necessary for an effective workout, but we are very grateful to have it.
Mirror
We purchased ours from our local Home Depot.
Floor mats
Weight Bench
Treadmill
Stationary Bike
Enjoy the process of building your home gym! It really motivated me and upped my workout game!
