An easy-to-follow, informative guide to building your own home gym! Tips and tricks for staying fit at home on a budget.
This post is sponsored by Kohl’s. I was paid for this post and received the included fitness equipment as compensation.
Between work, studying for grad school, running my own business, and attempting to maintain a social life, it can be hard to find time to get to the gym or fit in fitness in general. I’m sure many of you can relate.
With the New Year here and renewed sense of determination and vigor in every one to be their best self, I thought it would be a good idea to give those who are looking to better themselves through fitness some other options for staying healthy and active. Aside from wading thru the hordes of resolutioners at the local gym, that is. Instead, why don’t we bring the gym to you?
That’s right. By setting up your home as a prime environment for ‘fitting in fitness’ activities, you’ll have no excuses not to move your body a bit each week.
Fitting health and fitness into your routine is all about making things convenient and accessible. You’re more likely to get a workout in if you have the proper setup and equipment right at your fingertips. No matter how small your living space is and no matter how strapped for cash you are, small changes can be made that will make your home the perfect environment for getting your sweat on.
Fitness is so key to a balanced lifestyle. Regular physical activity improves mood, boosts energy and helps combat illnesses; all three of which are very important to staying healthy and happy during a busy time in your schedule. Part of being a person who loves and values them self is taking care of your body, so I’m here to help with some go to tips for doing just that!
Get a set of dumbbells and a yoga mat
These two pieces of gym equipment are relatively affordable and can be adapted to all types of activities. A yoga mat is perfect for stretching, doing your daily yoga practice and trying some body weight exercises, while weights give you everything you need to get a good strength workout in.
Body weight exercises help you increase your strength, build muscle and boost cardiovascular fitness. Try some of those if you don’t want to buy weights, or you could make use of things you have around your house like water bottles or cans of soup for dumbbells. Also, get creative with your space by using walls for wall sits and chairs for decline pushups.
Invest in at least one quality exercise machine
Contrary to what I said above, dumbbells and a yoga mat can only get you so far. It’s good to invest in at least one high quality fitness machine to have in your own home! I recently made a few additions to my own home gym and I’ve never been happier. Buffalo winters can be gnarly, so having the option to exercise from home on a machine that I’d find at my gym is ideal! Here’s what I’ve added…
I love the Desk Bike because it allows me to stay active while I work! The desk attaches and detaches very easily. It also does not take up a lot of room which can be an issue with some fitness equipment. The comfy cushioned seat is an added plus!
The Easy Strider was my #1 choice for these machines because it has front mech ellipticals. This is awesome because it takes up a smaller footprint in the home compared to a rear mech ellipticals and looks so much more aesthetically pleasing. It comes loaded with features that you would see in high price point ellipticals for MUCH cheaper.
All of these products are from Kohl’s and make super additions to creating your own home gym. It’s easy to get your sweat on at home with these products and they all happen to be on sale at Kohl’s right now!! That’s why I jumped at the chance to scoop them up during this limited time deal.
Use your laptop
Who needs a gym when a world of fitness is right at your fingertips? There are pages and pages of workouts that can be found online and many require little equipment or space. Perfect for an at home living room workout.
Have water handy
Hydration is important no matter where you’re working out, and being in your dorm can actually make getting in water fairly easy. Every cell, tissue and organ in your body needs water to function correctly. During a workout when your internal temperature is being raised, water intake needs to be increased.
Make sure to fill a water bottle and have it nearby so that you can take hydration breaks during your sweat session. It will keep you cool and replenish some of the fluids you’re losing through perspiration. After you’re done, drinking a beverage like coconut water can be good for recovery because it contains electrolytes!
Invite friends to join in on the fun
Sweating together is always better than sweating solo, so make it a group activity by getting your friends involved with your fitness routine. If you live with people, using communal space will mean you’ll have more room for your workout. Also, by getting your roommates involved, you don’t have to worry about asking permission or potentially bothering them with noise during your workout.
Try a workout video game to turn your workout into a party!
Do you have a home gym?
Do you prefer working out at home or at a gym?
What’s your favorite piece of workout equipment?
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14 responses to “How to Set Up the ULTIMATE Home Gym”
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We have a home gym but it’s only small with just the essentials we use. We had an elliptical but I hated it so that went and now all we have are yoga mats, weights and space to move!
Totally understand! Sometimes simpler is better!
YES I have a home gym, and I love working out there! We were just blessed with an elliptical at Christmas time, so we’re setting it all up in one room. I’m looking forward to doing workouts with my mommy!
That is awesome!! How cool to have your own home gym!!
I prefer working out at the gym, but I love having basic equipment (weights, kettle bell, resistance bands, etc) so I can get a workout done if I am unable to drive to the gym. That bike desk looks like a fun way to check e-mail 🙂
Yes, agreed! The bike desk is awesome!!
Kaila, we have a very well equipped home gym and love it. We use it nearly every day and wouldn’t ever want to be without it. Bad weather? No worries. Just walk a few yards into the gym, hit the elliptical or as many of the weight stations as you want, or get on the mat with foam rolls, etc. No driving to get there, no putting up with crowds (or music I don’t like!), no fees.
That is awesome! Home gyms are so convenient!
With small kids at home a home gym is a must! I’ve got my treadmill, weights, mat, resistance bands and decorate the space with photos & décor that motivates me to keep going. I try to keep it uncluttered too so there are no distractions!
Sounds like you have an awesome home gym set up Lorna!
Nice tips and information. I used to be a group fitness instructor so love to peruse fitness articles! Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday.
Thanks Donna!
Great post!
I love to workout at home. I like to use resistance bands to add intensity to bodyweight movements
Thank you!!