If you?re looking to get in shape for 2016, the first step is to usually join a gym. Despite the rising popularity of gyms, with their range of fitness equipment and exercise classes, you may well find that it?s not quite right for you. If your lifestyle is too busy to enable you to get to the gym regularly, the classes aren?t up to scratch, or simply that you don?t need that much equipment to meet your fitness goals, setting up a home gym may well be the way forward. With January sales beginning now, setting up a home gym for the new year can be easy and affordable.
Choose Your Space
Look around your house and think of space you can transform inkeeping with your budget. Students limited to their bedrooms can make do with a yoga mat on the floor. If you?ve got more space, a small spare bedroom is ample space for at least one bit of large equipment, with accessories and a workout mat if you invest in a stowaway bed. On the upper end of the scale, a two car garage or basement provide an ideal space to use, where noise from machines won?t bother anyone and you?ve still got a little freedom to move around.
Decorate
It?s important that your space is motivating and functional. Protect your joints by putting soft mats on the floor, and invest in strips of lighting to keep you awake and energised. To decorate, you can print off some useful exercise routines, and motivational quotes or photos. A full length mirror on the wall allows you to check your posture and progress as you workout, and a towel rail is handy to have too.
Muscle Building Equipment
A set of adjustable dumbbells is a must to start off with, compact for smaller home gyms and versatile enough to be used in almost any exercise. A stability ball is your next stepping stone, and this is great for building up core and back strength necessary to help you progress with lots of weight training and flexibility exercises.
Cardio Equipment
A skipping rope is the low cost, low space option, but if you?re able to spend more it might be worth investing in a treadmill or an exercise bike. These can come with a hefty price tag, but they?re great the whole year around. If you enjoy running or cycling outdoors but are put off by extreme heat or cold, your machine offers a temperate refuge.
