6 Essentials To Building Your Home Gym

When building your home gym, there are many options to choose from, but only a few are really essential.

Black couple lifting working out in garage

By Kimberly Wilson · Updated November 3, 2020

Summer bodies are made in the winter… or so they say.

And with winter right around the corner, now’s the perfect time to start thinking about your summer 2020 body (#hotgirlsummerredo). But, if you’re like me, once the temperatures begin to drop, it starts to get harder and harder to navigate the cold to make it to the gym.

Thankfully, with so many options on the market, it’s easier now more than ever to make your home your personal wellness sanctuary. Not to mention, you’ll probably save a few coins by nixing your gym membership, and expensive workout classes (when did fitness classes start costing $35+ dollars a class?!).

The best part of it all? You don’t have to worry about looking cute in the gym — because there are fine men there sometimes — and only have your damn self to impressive while you’re at home.

When building your home gym (no matter the amount of space you have), there are many options to choose from, but only a few are really essential. Here are a few options to help get you started.

Resistance Bands

Perhaps one of the most versatile pieces of fitness equipment you can buy, these are perfect for a full body workout. You can buy a pack of DYNAPRO’s Power Resistance Bands that include bands with different levels of resistance, so you can use lighter ones or heavier ones depending on what you’re doing.

Jump Rope

Want to build up your endurance? Jumping rope is one of the best ways to get in a cardio workout while also working up your heart rate. Not to mention, the rope packs up super small, which makes it great for those with limited storage space or anyone who travels a lot. And to help keep your workouts on track, even jump ropes are technologically savvy these days. Everlast’s Smartfit Bluetooth Jump rope sets a daily target and track your progress with the free Smart F.I.T. App, which includes the number of skips, calories and fat burned, and average speed.

Kettlebells

Quite possibly the best arsenal you’ll have, there are many possibilities with the kettlebell — and unfortunately none of them are fun! Just kidding. But seriously, the kettlebell is great for squats, thrusters, rowing, deadlifts and more. The best part about it, is you only need one and you’ll be able to adjust all the weights you may need with the SelectTech 840 adjustable kettlebell from Bowflex. Offering one kettlebell for the price of six kettlebells – ranging from 8 to 40 pounds – in one, space-efficient design. A dial allows users to quickly and easily change weights (8, 12, 20, 25, 35, or 40 pounds) to increase strength at their own pace.

Yoga Mat

Especially if you have hard floors, a yoga mat is key for at-home exercises. A basic yoga mat such as Yoga Design Lab’s Infinity Mat that rolls back up for storage is essential for any workouts in which you’re lying down. It is also non-slip, so you’ll have great grip whether it’s dry or you start sweating.

Boxing Gloves

Boxing is hands down my favorite workout. So with a pair of gloves, you can elevate your boxing game, and also practice your mitt work, all from home. Everlast’s Women’s Elite Pro Style Training Gloves are made especially for women, ensuring breathability and comfort with every jab and hook, especially great if you’re a beginner.

Dumbbells

Dumbbells are versatile and easy-to-use weights that let you create a variety of workouts so you won’t get bored with your at-home workouts. Depending on the amount of weight you use, repetition sets you do and pace at which you use them, dumbbells can help you improve endurance, burn calories, build muscle or increase muscular endurance for sports. To save yourself from having weights all around the house, Bowflex’s Adjustable Dumbbells provide all the weight you need in a smart, ultra-compact form that won’t occupy half your house. Each of these weights can be adjusted between five and 52.5 pounds, so you’ll have arms like Angela Bassett in no time.

TOPICS: Fitness fitness gear for women home gym wellness