How to Create a Home Gym

For most of my life, I have owned a gym membership. Because I am a bit of a fitness nut, I must have access to the equipment I need. The only problem with relying on a gym is that my workout schedule doesn't alway align with my crazy mom-schedule, making it challenging to get there. My crazy mom-schedule always impacted my ability to get to the gym consistently. Every month, I would look at my credit card statement and wince because I was paying for a gym membership my family and I were barely using.

I crunched the numbers and determined that having a home gym was a better option in the long run. I could remove the monthly gym fee, save on gas, and give myself some much-needed time back. If I had the ability to wake up early, run down to the basement (where we keep our gym equipment), and do a quick workout before everyone was awake, I was more likely to exercise, AND I felt like a better human being.

Whether you want to have some equipment at home to offset those days when you can't make it to the gym or if you wish to remove the membership entirely, as I did, you need to invest in some essential equipment (especially the kind that fits in a corner or closet!). Below is a list of must-haves and some nice-to-haves to help you get started.

Must Haves

1. Yoga Mat(s): I use my yoga mat every day and more than any other item in my home gym. I use it to warm up, cool down, and stretch (and, of course, do yoga!). Throw a yoga mat on the floor and do simple bodyweight exercises like planks, pushups, and bridges!

2. Free Weights (examples: Dumbbells, Kettlebells, Medicine Ball, Barbells, Plates): A small set of free weights is handy. Although you can do quite a bit with the weight of your own body, free weights add a challenge. It is also nice to have different types of free weights to switch it up occasionally.

3. Ankle Weights: I got the idea to buy ankle weights when I was in physical therapy for my knee. Wrap the weights around your ankles for hip, glute, and leg strengthening exercises (for example, side-lying hip abduction).

4. Resistance Bands: Get a variety of sizes and thicknesses. Use them to strengthen several areas, such as the glutes, thighs, back, and arms. There are endless possibilities for applying resistance bands to your workout. If you continue to utilize a gym, take them with you!

5. Foam roller: A foam roller will help you recover faster and feel better between workouts. Invest in a good one! You can get an inexpensive foam roller, but you will eventually need to replace it because they break down. I'm a fan of the Trigger Point brand.

Nice to Haves

1. Balance Board/ Pad: This was another purchase I made after physical therapy. Not only can you improve balance with one of these, but it can help you build core strength and improve posture. Balance pads can also help pad the knees during kneeling exercises.

2. Stability Ball: This is another piece of equipment that can assist you with improving balance and core strength. Lying down hamstring curls and crunches are commonly done exercises with a stability ball. Use the ball like a bench to do dumbbell chest presses or skull crushers. The ball will add a layer of instability, helping you work the core during the exercise.

3. TRX Suspension Trainer- The TRX can flip over a closed door, clip to a pole, or wrap around a tree! It's adjustable, and you can do an entire workout using your body weight. The creator of the TRX was a Navy Seal. He designed the tool to use while he was deployed so that he could continue his workouts. It's an extremely versatile tool.

4. Pull-Up Bar: I have a pullup bar that attaches to a door frame. If you struggle with pull-ups, have a chair handy. Put 1 foot on a chair or stool to do assisted pullups instead of relying on all of your body weight. Resistance bands can also be valuable tools for helping pullups.

5. Bench/ Chair: A bench supports your body while doing free weight or bodyweight exercises like chest presses and tricep dips. Use a chair if you need extra support when doing squats or something to grab while attempting single-leg exercises.

6. Cardio Equipment- I own a folding NordicTrack treadmill, a folding elliptical, and a bike trainer. Like any typical runner, I will say that running outside beats the "dreadmill" any day, so this is unnecessary. If you can live without it, don't invest in it.

Most of these items I’ve accrued over the years. I started with mats and free weights to offset the days I couldn't get into the gym. Once I began to assess how much money I was spending at the gym, I took the money I would have saved by not going and invested the more extensive equipment like the elliptical and treadmill.

Of course not everyone can afford all of this equipment and/or fit it all in their homes. Even just sticking with the "must-haves" or purchasing more versatile equipment like the TRX, can help keep your workouts on track, especially when your schedule is impacting your gym routine. Click here for direct links to some essential gym equipment to add to your home gym.