Home gym ideas that don’t break the bank

The current pandemic doesn’t necessarily mean you have to shelve the idea of starting a new fitness regime. We have some inexpensive home gym ideas that will help to get you started.

Before you start exercising

There are some practical aspects you need to consider before you start.

Health and safety

If you are getting back into exercise after a long period or starting a new routine, make sure you work within your capability.

If you have any pre-existing conditions, then it might be worth consulting your doctor first.

Make sure you warm up before each session and cool down after each session to minimise the risk of injury.

Space

It’s worth designating a specific area in your home for exercise. But don’t panic, you won’t need as much space as you think.

An area which is roughly 2m by 2m will be enough for most exercises on a standard exercise mat.

Types of exercise

Think about the kind of exercise you want to do. There are many different types so it’s worth trying them out to find out what appeals to you.

Most types of exercise do not require specialised equipment in their basic form. Start exercising without the equipment first. That way you can avoid wasting money on things you’ll be unlikely to use due to lack of interest.

Essential equipment

There is a wide range of exercise equipment available for home gym ideas. Identifying what you need can be quite daunting.

However, when putting together a home gym, simplicity is key. Stick to the essentials, which are as follows.

Exercise Mat

If you are considering yoga, it might be worth buying a yoga mat.

A yoga mat can be used for both yoga and general exercise, but not all exercise mats are suitable for yoga. So even if you lose interest in yoga, you can still use the mat for other forms of exercise.

If you are taller than 6ft, you will need to purchase an extra-long mat. Check dimensions before buying.

Expect to pay around £40.

Trainers

Good trainers are especially important when undertaking any high impact exercise such as cardio kick or jogging.

It is worth spending money on good well-fitting trainers. Expect to pay around £60 – £100.

Weights

If you are just starting out, you won’t need weights that are particularly heavy.

Before buying weights, you could start with bottles of water. One 500ml bottle weighs 0.5kg or 1.1lb.

You will get a good general workout with two 500 ml bottles and two 1 litre bottles.

If you want to buy weights, it’s better value to buy a set. Expect to pay around £100 for a set comprising two 1kg, two 2kg and two 3kg weights.

Exercise schedule

One of the best home gym ideas is a good clear schedule. You are more likely to stick to an exercise plan if you know what exercise you are going to be doing ahead of time.

However, if you haven’t a clue about how to put an exercise schedule together, don’t worry. There is plenty of information available that can help you.

We have put together a list of 10 good fitness apps for beginners, some of which are free. Alternatively,  YouTube has a wide range of free follow-along classes.

Take home

Try to include sessions into your routine which incorporate cardio, strength and flexibility training. This will give you an all-round workout.

Incorporate some outdoor exercise into your schedule for a change of scenery. Check to see if there is an outdoor gym in your area that you can use as part of your fitness regime.