Beginners Blueprint: What You Need to Create Your First Home Workout Space
Photo by Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash
Making the decision to embark on a journey to better health is a big deal, and one to be proud of. Making the choice is, after all, the first step to change. Overall health and wellness includes several factors such as fitness, nutrition, stress-management, quality sleep, and mindset.
While they’re all important and tackling each segment is important for sustainable change, shifting your focus to just one or two at a time can make change feel less overwhelming.
Furthermore, starting by incorporating exercise into your daily or weekly routine can make changes in other areas of your life feel more tangible.
So, if you’re a beginner and you’re looking for some direction on how to begin your fitness journey without joining a gym or buying expensive home equipment, I’ve got you. In this article, I’m going to go over some basic exercise equipment to invest in so that you can begin working out at home without breaking your budget.
How Much Space Do You Need?
The reality is, many of us don’t need a ton of space in order to get an efficient workout. Do you have a living room? Great. Do you have just bit of extra space in your bedroom? Awesome. Do you have a small nook or even a long hallway? This can work in a pinch, also. Begin to see through the lens of “can I make that space work for a quick workout?” rather than “I don’t have any space to workout”.
Maybe you have a coffee table in your living room that you can easily move aside for 30 minutes, or a light chair that can be easily shifted out of the way temporarily.
Obviously, it’s ideal to have a bit more space than less, but if you can squat, jump, push-up, or do some dumbbell curls in a space, you should be able to get an effective workout.
5 Low-Cost Home Workout Equipment Picks
1. A set of light dumbbells
Light is subjective and will be different for all of us. For some, 3 lbs is ideal. For others, 8 lbs is light. A good happy medium is usually right about 5 lbs. Also, when you’re buying dumbbells at these weights, they’re normally very reasonably priced. This means that you may be able to afford two pairs of light dumbbells (for example, a set of 3 lbs and a set of 5 lbs).
2. A set of heavy dumbbells
Again, heavy is subjective and, this too, will be different for all of us. As a beginner, heavy might be a set of 8-10 lb dumbbells. You want something that will challenge you but won’t injure you. If you’re unsure, it’s always better to start just a bit lighter and work your way up from there.
3. Resistance bands
A resistance band is a flexible, elastic band used for everyday strength training as well as for physical therapy. They often have a handle on either end of the band, and they come in various lengths, thicknesses, and resistance levels.
Resistance bands can be used for a wide range of exercises, including stretching, strength training, and rehabilitation, providing a versatile and portable full-body workout. They are particularly effective for targeting muscles with controlled resistance, helping to improve strength, flexibility, and endurance without the need for heavy weights or bulky equipment.
4. Loop bands
Loop bands, also known as mini bands or resistance loops, are small, continuous loops of elastic material used for strength training, flexibility, and rehabilitation exercises. Like straight resistance bands, they come in various resistance levels and are typically made of latex or fabric.
Loop bands are ideal for targeting smaller muscle groups, enhancing stability, and adding resistance to bodyweight exercises. They are particularly useful for exercises such as leg lifts, glute bridges, and arm extensions. Their compact size makes them highly portable and convenient for workouts at home, in the gym, or while traveling.
5. Yoga mat
Photo by The Nix Company via Unsplash
A yoga mat is one of those must-have items that can totally transform your home workout experience. Think of it as your personal space for all things fitness. Typically made from cushioned, non-slip material, a yoga mat provides a comfortable and stable surface for a variety of exercises and stretches.
But the thing about yoga mats is this: it’s not just for yoga. Sure, it’s perfect for all your downward dogs and warrior poses, but it’s also great for Pilates, stretching, and even bodyweight workouts like planks and push-ups. The cushioning helps protect your joints, especially on hard floors, and the non-slip surface helps to keep you steady during your movements.
Whether you're meditating, working on your core, or simply stretching out those tired muscles, a yoga mat makes every exercise more comfortable and effective. Plus, it rolls up easily for storage, making it super convenient for small spaces and some traveling.
Conclusion
To sum it all up, getting an inexpensive workout at home is absolutely possible. With a small investment in just a few pieces of equipment, and the right at-home workouts on YouTube, you can begin to regularly add fitness into your daily or weekly routine. Just stick to it and be patient, and before you know it, you’ll be stronger, leaner, have better balance, and more flexibility.
Put in the work, be patient with yourself, and refrain from judging yourself too harshly, and changes will come!
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Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, mental health provider, or a licensed dietician, and therefore this is not official licensed medical, clinical, or nutrition advice. These are things that I have implemented in my own life and utilized in my personal training and health coaching practice after spending a substantial amount of time studying and practicing these techniques in fitness, habit change, and nutrition (still, I’m not a dietician). They are not meant to cure any ailment, and they are certainly not meant to serve as a replacement for any mental or medical healthcare treatment. It is important to always consult your own physician before beginning an exercise, mental health, or nutrition program of any type.