For the last few months, I’ve been slowly but surely turning my children’s playroom into my personal home gym. The room that used to be filled with legos and cars and balls is slowly but surely being converted into a place to exercise for me. After all, at 14 and 10, my kids really weren’t using the space any longer. In fact, they gave me carte blanche to throw or give away anything out there. Since it’s Friday and the topic is “fitness”, I’m going to share the five things I think every home gym should have and what versions I happen to have.
- A cardio machine – Sometimes running outside or riding a bike or getting to a class is just not an option, whether that’s because of the weather or a kid home sick or needing to work out at an odd time. If you have the space, I highly recommend having some way to get in a cardio workout. I happen to be lucky – Nordictrack sent me a treadmill to review and I also happened to win a FitDesk from another blogger. Both get used on a regular basis.
- Weights – Free weights or kettle bells offer so many different options for strength training. I use my weights (ranging from 5 pounds to 20 pounds) for lots of different workouts. I also have a weighted bar that I use. I’d love to have a bench and heavier weights, but I still have some decluttering to do before there is room for that.
- Foam roller or other implement of torture – I have a love/hate relationship with my foam roller, my stick, and the various other items I have. Seriously, it’s like torture using them, but they make me feel better in the long run.
- Suspension system – I admit, I’m a total convert. I loved using a suspension system at the gym with my trainer and at Orangetheory. I was given the FE Strong Home Gym suspension system and it’s awesome. I’m not a huge fan of strength training or cross training, but I find this fun. Add in the fact that it takes up virtually no room and allows for tons of different exercises and you have a system that works just about anywhere. I’ve gotten in the habit of doing one or two exercises when I happen to walk into our fitness room each day.
- Stability ball or Bosu ball – So many exercises can be made more difficult or work more muscles when done on an unstable surface. I use my stability ball or my Bosu for lots of ab work. I also am able to get much deeper squats that are still good form using the stability ball. When Shoo was recovering from his sprained ankle, the chiropractor had him just standing on the Bosu at first. Apparently even that little bit of instability helped strengthen his ankle!
What am I missing? What do you have in your home gym that you can’t live without?
I’m linking up with Courtney, Mar, and Cynthia for Friday Five. It’s all about fitness today, so head over and see what everyone else has to say.
This winter, my bike trainer was a lifesaver! Since I couldn’t run on my gimpy foot, the bike was my new best friend! And those videos on YouTube got me pumping my legs.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…5 Reasons to Ride Venus de Miles
How great that you have a space now. I like those big windows!
I just started looking up exercises I can do with my stability ball. I want to use that for more than just sitting on when I watch tv..lol
That’s a really good group of items you have. And nice that you didn’t have to buy some of it!
I have ankle weights and resistance bands so I can add an extra challenge to my Pilates. If I feel like I need just a little more weight, I can take out some of the sand bags in the ankle weights and see what I can do.
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I think the only thing you’re missing is a yoga mat. Seems like you have everything else on your list.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Friday Five – What I’m Looking Forward to About ZOOMA Annapolis (and my race goals)
All good stuff!! I love my TRX suspension system and you can get a great total body workout in a short time. I also have a few medicine balls that are great for total body work too. And resistance bands are good and don’t take up too much space. Have so much fun!!
Jenn @ Run with Sole recently posted…Five Ways to Deal With Heat on Race Day
looks like you’ve built quite the home gym! that’s awesome.
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Summer Fitness Goals!
If I had the room I would for sure have a stability ball or Bosu, proably both actually. My trainer at the gym has me use these often even with weights and doing planks on them. I have a few free weights but I’d also add a couple kettle bells too. Maybe even some bands for my IT exercises. Great list Erika!
Tricia @ MissSippipiddlin recently posted…5 Ways to Feel your Best on Vacation
I’d love to have a treadmill and a resistance machine! I’m starting to look into treadmills and am debating whether or not it would be worth it to purchase one for home running. Right now, I love my yoga mat and my exercise ball. Both come in so handy for home workouts!
I use body bars quite a bit for squats and lunges. Love having a home gym!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…How To Deal With Race Day Anxiety
I love my TRX! Finally had a chance to organize all of my home gym stuff in the garage. My husband has a pull-up bar which I like as well since I don’t do enough pull exercises. We also recently got a rock ring hanging out in our backyard for more pull exercises.
I’ver recently started using my suspension system more and I’m loving it–it worked especially well while I was traveling last month. PS I love your floor 🙂
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I never thought about using Bosu ball to strengthen an injured muscle before! Thanks for the tip on instability helping the recovering process. Love using my foam roller so much, essentially has reduced my trips to the chiropractor!