Fitness equipment is expensive, can be bulky and often collects a lot of dust, gym memberships and punch pass often collect a lot of dust too. If you have room in your basement, loft, or bonus room why not set up a small area that can be easily put away when not in use or better yet dedicate that area to fitness. Benefits of working out at home, the ability to get at it whenever it will work, your kids see you making fitness a priority, free from judgement, the investment doesn’t expire like a membership or 10x punch pass.
What do you really need to get a good workout, you can do a lot with your body weight and a mat, but hey its your house who needs a mat. If you are ready to step your work up a notch or two let’s talk about a couple pieces of equipment that are versatile fairly easy to store, can be portable and each cost under $200.00 (listed are online retailer prices, many can be sourced on e-bay, amazon or kijiji.ca for less). How much is that gym membership again?
TRX SUSPENSION TRAINING $169.95 – $199.95
Pros:
- All core, all the time,
- Portable, outdoor, indoor, travel
- Easily adjust the intensity of an exercise
- Great for increasing your range of motion
- Also great for building muscular endurance and strength
- Can purchase online
Cons:
- Not intuitive to use
- Works with a closed door, but limiting
Exercises: planks, rows, chest press, bridge, hamstring curls, bicep curls, tricep extensions, just use your imagination.
BOSU $159.95
Pros:
- Versatile, multiple ways to use
- Balance
- Agility
- Strength
Cons:
- Bulky
- Sharp edges can be uncomfortable
Exercises: Squats, lunges, burpees, planks
KETTLEBELL $35.00 – $85.00
Pros:
- 2 – 3 different weights, only one of each needed https://www.kettlebellsusa.com/what-size-kettlebell-should-i-buy-guidelines-for-men-and-women-to-choose-a-starter-kettlebell-weight
- Portable, except on planes
- Small, easy to store
- Core
- Full body easy to achieve
- Ballistic (dynamic, explosive) and Grind (stability)
Cons:
- Requires knowledge to use effectively and safely
- What are the right weights for me (see above article for a starting point)
Exercises: farmer carry, turkish get up, swings, deadlift
ROLLERS (Foam or PVC with foam) $10.00 – $50.00
Pros:
- Great for increasing your range of motion
- Be creative, you can do balance and stability work with a roller (I don’t mean by standing on it)
- Varying sizes for home, office, travel
- Varying densities and textures for different purposes
Cons:
- Bulky (smaller and travel rollers are easy to store and travel with)
- The foam rollers do break down over time
Exercises: rolling muscles post workout, rolling back for opening joints & opening chest, bridge or shoulder abductor (while laying supine the length of the roller)
RESISTANCE BANDS $2.00 – $20.00
Pros:
- Super portable, easy packing for travel
- Varying resistance strengths, even within the same band
- Super in expensive
- Strength for upper. Lower body and core is possible
Cons:
- Pets tend to enjoy the rubber
- Breakdown over time
Exercises: squat with overhead press, bicep or tricep extensions, rows, chest press, partner or solo, wood chop
