What are the benefits to having a home gym?
In today’s wellness-conscious world, there are more ways than ever to pursue healthy fitness. It can be hard, however, to fit exercise into a packed professional schedule. If you’re a busy homeowner, designing a garage or home gym might be the answer to that problem- and it is simpler than you might think.
First, consider the quality of the equipment you are looking to purchase. Using gym-grade equipment in the home provides an unparalleled level of convenience and privacy (a“judgment-free” zone of sorts). A home gym also allows for infinite customization to reflect your specific needs. Plus, think about all the germs you are able to avoid by choosing a home work out plan over a community gym.
Check out some of the standard elements of a home gym, and how they can elevate your personal fitness, below:
Rowing machine
The rowing machine is a full body training machine. From cardio to strength training, you can get both with a short rower workout. Not only does a rowing machine provide an intense, calorie-burning, full body workout, but it is also virtually zero impact. With no strain on joints, like your hips and ankles, that you may feel on other cardio machines, a rower will leave only your muscles feeling sore. Use the rower for cross training, to weight loss, to your general daily activity. Check out BODYCRAFT’s full line of rowing machines for both home and commercial use to find the one that fits you best.
Treadmill
The treadmill is a tried and true machine that gives a great cardiovascular workout that boosts heart health and promotes increased endurance, lean muscle mass, and weight loss. Whether you’re taking a lower-impact jog or timing your running pace splits in preparation for race day, having a treadmill in your home gym arsenal is a solid choice.
Never discount the treadmill as a ‘boring’ or ‘generic’ piece of cardio equipment. Just like a rower, the treadmill can be a key tool in your cross training or HIIT exercise routine. Check out some inspiration on how to cross train with a treadmill here.
Bench and rack
A rack, bench, and free weights are integral to any home fitness set up. If you do not have space for a full home gym machine, a half rack, bench, and some free weights can give you everything you need to get in a solid work out.
Building and maintaining muscle strength is as important for your body, and even your heart, as cardio exercise. Do not forget to add these important elements into your perfect home fitness space.
Think you don’t have enough space for this type of fitness equipment? Think again. BODYCRAFT specializes in small footprint, big impact products. Something as small as our F320 bench, for example, can transform into a biceps curl, leg curl, and leg extension machine with little additional space.
Functional trainer
Train the way you move. A functional trainer or cable machine removes the restrictions typically thought of with a home gym machine. It provides the freedom to train safely and effectively but with a weight machine. Cables allow for stabilizer muscles to come into play. This will allow for benefits similar to free weight exercises, but with the enhanced safety of confined weights. Train multiple ways and multiple parts of your body all with one machine. From double stack trainers, to single stack and body weight trainers, BODYCRAFT has what you need to fit in your space and meet your goals.
Accessories (think stability ball)
Having equipment in your home gym is vital in maximizing your workouts- but it’s important to note that “equipment” covers a broad spectrum of machines and gear, of all shapes and sizes. A stability ball, for example, is a cheap yet powerful addition to any gym that opens the door for an endless list of body weight exercises. Dumbbells, kettlebells, and resistance bands are all supplementary pieces of equipment that can elevate your home gym.
Wrap up
To wrap up, a home gym will allow you to have three big things: freedom to work out any time of day, freedom from swapping sweat at public gyms, and freedom to create and put money into items that fit your needs. All products discussed here are suggestions and a good starting point to designing your perfect home gym. However, it is not an exhaustive list. We encourage you to do your research, find a local fitness dealer, and try out different products to see what fits you. A home gym that you create within your budget and with what you want will ultimately get used most often.
Please stay in-the-know on new products, promotions, and sales by liking our Facebook page or signing up for our semi-monthly newsletter. Or simply check us out at bodycraft.com to learn more about our brand or shop for your perfect home gym!
If you’re still unsure if a home gym is the right fit for you, check out our comparison of a home gym vs. gym membership and see what works best for you!
Developed in collaboration with writers from the Aaptiv Magazine