If you like a flexible workout schedule, then you probably enjoy working out at home. Home workouts can be just as effective as going to the gym. Working out at home has many advantages, as you don't have to pay for a gym membership or transport to the gym, and it can be a private time you spend with yourself. The exercises you do at home can be just as useful as the ones you do at the gym, without all the expensive workout equipment.
When exercising at home, the first thing you need to do is create space. It does not have to be a lot of space, just enough that you can stretch without bumping into things. You only need a few necessary things that will help improve your workout significantly, and here are types of at-home equipment to consider, and Stay Fit Housing recommends CanDo or Road Runner Sports to easily purchase the below items:
Yoga or aerobics mat
This is an essential workout accessory, whether at home or at the gym. Doing exercise on the floor can lead to severe injuries that you can avoid by doing your workout on a mat. Different types of mats are available on the market, they range in style, material, color, price and design, and whichever mat you choose to buy depends on your budget, your tastes, and the kind of exercise you intend to do on your mat. The most popular types of mats are foam yoga mats, rubber mats, cork mats, and polyurethane-rubber mats. Each of these mats has their advantages and disadvantages, but if you are a beginner, look out for a soft, non-slip yoga mat that will give you some extra cushion while doing stretches, planks, push-ups, and other exercises.
Weighted jump rope
You probably used a regular jump rope when you were little, and it was fun because you could skip for hours without getting tired. However, to optimize cardio, you should upgrade from a regular jump rope to a weighted one. A weighted jump rope will add some resistance and get your heart rate up in a shorter period, and it will also help you build more strength and endurance while you skip. If you want to make it even more challenging, add double-unders, high knees, and criss-cross between jumps. Make sure you clear an ample space while using your weighted jump rope, or even better, jump rope in an open area to avoid breaking things.
Foam roller
A foam roller is a necessity, especially if you like to engage in high-intensity workouts. Strength-training exercises like weightlifting, squats, and core workouts can drain you and leave you sore. That is why you need rest days after intense workout sessions; rest days don't necessarily mean exercise-free days, as you should do low-intensity exercises like stretches and yoga to relieve sore muscles. A foam roller is great for this, as it has three pressure zones that will help you to increase flexibility in your back, hamstrings, quads, and more, and it will ease muscle soreness and help to increase your range of motion. Just relax, lay in a comfortable place and position, and roll away.
Soft medicine ball
Traditional medicine balls can be dangerous around the house, as either you, your kids, or pet could toss it around and break something. To avoid this, you can add a soft medicine ball; it still provides the weight you need, as the balls range from four to forty pounds, but it is made from leather so you can safely throw it or toss it while doing your workouts.
Kettlebell
If you want a total body workout, you can try out kettlebell exercises. You can purchase an adjustable kettlebell, with a weight range of ten to forty pounds, and you can choose whichever weight you need for your particular exercise.
Resistance bands
Resistance bands are an essential workout gear for anyone serious about working out at home. Mini resistance bands are portable enough and incredibly effective, and they have three levels of resistance that you can utilize for stretches, mobility exercises, yoga, and more.
Dumbbells
There is most likely a long rack of dumbbells with different weights available at your local gym, but you can't have that at home unless you have a personal gym space. This does not mean you can't have the same benefits; you can buy adjustable dumbbells that come with a storage rack so you can easily slide it somewhere safe after you workout.
Workout DVDs
Coming up with a workout routine can be challenging, especially when you are a beginner, but you can't let that discourage you from continuing your daily exercise. All you need to do is purchase a workout DVD that will guide you through your workouts and also help you to maintain proper form as you exercise. There are many great exercise DVDs that you can use, and there are beginner, intermediate, and advanced DVDs available for all at-home athletes.
Emmanuel Domingo is a fitness and health enthusiast whose everyday goal is to stay active and fit, so he has much to share with his audience. In addition to regularly hiking and dancing, he also loves focusing on nutrition by cooking healthy, flavorful, and exciting meals for himself and his girlfriend.