In the words of Chandler Bing, “I want to leave the gym.” Unlike Chandler, it’s not the gym itself, or the fact that I don’t use it — I go at least five times a week, it’s a slightly frustrating reason the Friends team wasn’t expecting it — like everything else in 2022, the cost of my membership skyrocketed.
Faced with the prospect of paying $100 a month for a gym membership, I realized I was in the fortunate position of knowing exactly what I wanted to buy to build my own home gym, without compromising my exercise goals. As a fitness editor, I have tested some of the The best home gym equipment In the market, so I know what to shop for, especially when you’re on a tight budget. Read on to find out more.
Looking for more exercise inspiration? Take a look at what happened and when Tried adding 100 dead bugs to my daily routineas well Best Ab exercises To try, according to coach Chris Hemsworth.
How to build a home gym for under $500
Needless to say, what works for me won’t work for everyone, especially if you have specific exercise needs. For example, if you are deeply interested in CrossFit, you may want to invest in different equipment than people who like Pilates. My shopping list below is based on my experience running four times a week, cross-training and strength training at least four times a week.
bike exercise
Sunny health and fitness bike
$152.88 @ Amazon (Opens in a new tab)
When it comes to the full treadmill vs exercise bike debate, I’m a bike team. As a runner, there’s nothing I love more than getting out for a run, so I’d grab my trainer and head out for an hour running on the treadmill any day. However, aside from personal preferences, bikes are also much cheaper than treadmills, and take up much less space in your home.
While this special bike from Sunny Health and Fitness is not with us The best exercise bikes List, her older brother. This is a basic and affordable spin bike that you would find at the gym. There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles, but it’s fully adjustable, has a max weight of 265 pounds, and has a small display so you can keep an eye on how far you’ve gone on the pedal. There is also a stand for the device, which means you can record in Peloton app Free trial, take lessons on your bike from your phone or iPad without spending thousands of dollars.
adjustable dumbbells
Adjustable dumbbells from FLYBIRD
$89.79 @ Walmart (Opens in a new tab)
Every home gym needs a good set of weights, but if you don’t have the room or budget, adjustable dumbbells are a great alternative to a set of dumbbells. These dumbbells are our value pick Best adjustable dumbbells List, they are affordable, and you can get a 25-pound set of dumbbells from a reputable brand for $179.
Of course, you can buy one dumbbell and work on one side at a time, or swap out something else on this list to buy the set. Dumbbells can be adjusted in increments of five pounds from five to 25 pounds. It is very easy to adjust – just turn the dial, the dumbbells come with a tray. It’s also easier to store than iron, and you’ll still be able to do most strength exercises with it.
resistance bands
Theraband Latex Bands
$11 Amazon (Opens in a new tab)
You can do a lot with a good set of resistance bands. While there are plenty of different options to choose from (check out our website The best resistance bands A guide if you don’t believe us), these latex bands can easily be used as long straps and tied around the legs for exercises where a smaller loop would normally be used.
The five-foot bands come with three color-coded resistance levels – the yellow band has a resistance of 3-4.3 pounds, the red band has a resistance of 3.7-5.5 pounds, and the green has a resistance of 4.6-6.7 pounds. . These will not be suitable for anyone allergic to latex.
check the Best arm exercises with resistance bandsThe Best leg band resistance exercisesAnd the How to deadlift with resistance band.
pilates ball
Pilates Trider Ball
$9.99 (or local equivalent) (or local equivalent) Amazon (Opens in a new tab)
If you’re a fan of Pilates, adding a ball to your workouts can make all the difference. Placing a Pilates ball under your pelvis, for example, when doing exercises like toe presses and scissor kicks, forces you to engage your inner core muscles to keep your body stable. This 9″ ball will not explode when you lie on it, and it has a plug that allows you to easily inflate and deflate it for easy storage.
If you don’t do Pilates regularly, you may want to skip this and save $10! If not, here’s a file Best Pilates exercises to target your heart for an internal burn.
Jump rope
Amazon Basics Jump Rope
8.38 USD (or equivalent in local currency) @ Amazon (Opens in a new tab)
The skipping rope is a great tool for strengthening core muscles without taking up too much space. This is the top jump rope in our area The best jump rope SHOP GUIDE – It has good-sized handles that are easy to grip while jumping, the plastic rope is light and turns easily, so it won’t get in the way of coordinating with an unwieldy rope, and the ball bearings are smooth and quiet, meaning the rope won’t get stuck in the middle of the jump.
Amazon Basics Jump Rope is a well-built, versatile rope that provides both novice and experienced jumpers with the essentials you can build on. During testing, we found this jump rope to be easy and easy, so it’s a must on my home gym shopping list.
weight bench
Paseo adjustable weight bench
$109 Amazon (Opens in a new tab)
Again, this isn’t necessary, but during exercises like the bench press, single-arm rows, and Bulgarian squats, the bench is a useful addition. This may not be the most charming on the market, but it does the job. There are seven adjustable backrest positions and a footrest, and the seat can be folded away when not in use.
Yoga or gym mat
Basic Yoga Mat from Amazon
$17.88 @ Amazon (Opens in a new tab)
Again, if you have already purchased one The best yoga matsYou won’t need this, but if not, a cozy rug is a good idea. Not only does putting some cushioning under your feet when doing high-impact exercises, it can also protect your carpet from heavy (gross) perspiration.
Again, this rug isn’t the most luxurious, but it’s 0.5 inches thick, which is very plush, and has a textured surface to provide grip and traction under the feet as you move. It can also be pulled away when not in use for easy storage and comes with an elastic strap to keep it secure.
Comment training
Afternoon Bodyweight Hanging Resistance Training Bands
$39.95 @ Amazon (Opens in a new tab)
Suspension training may sound intimidating, but it has a number of benefits – as the name suggests, you are suspended and therefore have to engage your stabilizing muscles, as you need to keep your core engaged to perform all the exercises. The exercises in which you’ll use suspension straps are low-impact, but they can easily build muscle and increase mobility.
This set isn’t the coolest on the market but it does have durable nylon straps, two handles, and comes with a handy bag that you can store your traps in, and take with you on your travels.
So there you have it – a shopping list for the home gym while saving money. Obviously, you may already have some of the equipment on this list, or find some of the suggestions redundant – if you’ve never done Pilates, for example, you probably won’t want to spend $10 on a ball. Also, if you choose to buy a pair of dumbbells and not one, the cost goes up to $529. The point of this list is to highlight that building a home gym doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money and that expensive gym memberships aren’t the only way to reach your fitness goals.
Are you looking for more inspiration? over here Best biceps exercises to build bigger arms, Chris Hemsworth kicker workout 800 repsand the Best workout apps download for exercise at home.
[ad_2]