Waiting for your turn at the gym sometimes seems like forever especially when crowded. But with home fitness equipment, you not only eliminate the need for a gym membership but also create an ideal workout space that works for you.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, only one in three children is physically active every day. Physical inactivity early in life can lead to health problems later on. Therefore, having home fitness equipment offers you and your family the convenience and flexibility of working out from the comfort of your home.
Choosing the Right Home Gym Equipment
Generally speaking, there are two different types of equipment you can buy—cardio equipment and strength equipment. Each equipment is uniquely designed to provide different training functions such as muscle strengthening, weight loss and fat burning.
1. Bodyweight Resistance Equipment
Resistance training routine is a type of exercise that focuses on improving muscular strength, endurance and burning fat. Ideally, the exercise routines generate an opposing force that triggers muscle contraction and relaxation.
During a strength training exercise, your muscles undergo contraction and relaxation as a result of resistance triggered by the opposing force. Bodyweight resistance training relies on your body weight as resistance to build muscle strength without straining your joints. Some of the resistance training fitness equipment include kettlebells, sand bags, barbells and medicine balls. These home gym equipment are cost-effective and require less space for setup and exercise execution.
Best of all, not all resistance exercise require equipment. Some routines such as lunges, pushups, crunches, burpees and squat thrusts are some of the most effective strength exercises you can comfortably do at home without gym equipment.
2. Cardio Fitness Equipment
Do you know a heart is just another muscle? And for a muscle to perform better it has to be regularly exercised. That’s why it’s important to consider cardio exercise to build a strong heart and lungs for a healthy body.
Cardio exercise help improves your heart rate and overall cardiovascular health including blood glucose regulation, lower blood pressure, weight control, improved cholesterol as well as weight control.
Some examples of cardiovascular exercise routines include running, swimming, rowing, dancing, power walking and cycling. Among U.S. adults aged 15 and over who exercise daily, around 30% say they walk for exercise, making walking the most popular form of exercise overall. Investing in home cardio equipment, however, can be a cost-intensive project but there are more budget-friendly and foldable machine options that allow you to better utilize your spaces.
3. Weight Equipment
There is a difference between bodyweight exercise and weight exercise. Weight training is a part of resistance training but with more focus on building lean muscle than building muscle strength and endurance. It helps to regenerate and repair damaged muscle tissue.
Having a lean muscle has many benefits including promoting weight management, improved mobility and increased energy levels. Also, muscles will look more firm and well-sculpted for a fit appearance. Weight equipment is however costly than strength resistance equipment and you may need more space if you are working with weight machines. Free weights are simple to use and don’t require much space for setup.
Lastly, when building a home gym you must consider some factors that can help you make the right choice. How much are you willing to spend on fitness equipment? Having a home gym budget cannot be emphasized enough because it’ll greatly influence your decision. Space is another crucial factor to keep in mind when looking to buy home gym equipment. If you have limited space, consider more compact and foldable equipment that can perfectly fit your room without looking overly crowded.
Choosing The Best Home Gym Equipment
