Setting up a home gym
As I’ve saved money, I’ve bought a chin-up bar, resistance bands and a weight bench
For several years, I rented an apartment in a complex with all sorts of amenities. I had access to a giant swimming pool, barbecue area, sun loungers and hot tub. Just down the hall from my apartment was a state-of-the-art gym that included every imaginable type of machine. There was no need for a gym membership. I didn’t need to leave the building to handle my workouts. Once I bought a house of my own and moved out of the city, I no longer had a full gym available. The closest fitness center is now over thirty minutes away. Although I like to run and ride my bike, the weather rarely cooperates. For most of the year, I am forced to handle my fitness goals inside. I decided to set up a home gym. I started by researching all the various styles and models of equipment on the market. There is a nearly endless array of treadmills, stationary bikes and ellipticals. Some of them include some really exciting features and they are all extremely expensive. It was a little discouraging to only be able to afford a yoga mat, some hand weights and a jump rope. However, I figured out how to achieve a satisfying workout without a whole inventory of equipment. There are a lot of beneficial exercises that require nothing more than my own body weight. I’ve gotten really good at jumping rope. I incorporate a lot of pushups, plank holds, mountain climbers, burpees and jumping jacks. I’ve learned a wide variety of abdominal crunches to really work those muscles. As I’ve saved money, I’ve bought a chin-up bar, resistance bands and a weight bench. Now that I have purchased all of the smaller and less expensive equipment, I’m saving up for a more complex machine. I am hoping to add a treadmill to my home gym.