Shelter in place - Quarantine... No Gym... Ok, I'll make a small investment in some home gym equipment for the time being... but what do I get?Considerations: Size, Convenience, Versatility, Cost, Durability Sand Bag - The sand bag is extremely versatile, convenient, and relatively inexpensive for gym equipment. It also is relatively small, easy to store, and extremely durable. You can do anything with it, and you can get a great workout very easily. Whether you are going to do Carries, Power Cleans, Thrusters, Drags, Throws, Swings, the activities are only limited by your creativity. The instability of the load creates interesting demands on core stability and makes for fun workouts. During this shelter in place, I've found myself gravitating to my BruteForce SandBag every day. Recommended manufacture BruteForce Training. (Don't go cheap, you don't want ripping bags and sand spilling everywhere.) AirDyne - Specifically, the Assault AirBike or the Rogue Echo Bike. These are versatile, but not as versatile as a Sand Bag or DB's or KB's. These are also relatively large machines so they require more storage space. They are extremely convenient because you just hop on and go. These are relatively expensive, although they are "cheap" compared to many other cardio machines. They last forever if you take a little care of them. I use one or the other every day, and I find myself on the bikes much more often than on the Concept 2 rower. It's such a great conditioning tool and it is so fast to just hop on and go and it's easy to integrate into WOD's, and you can build anaerobic power, glycolytic power, and aerobic power all on the AirBike by adjusting intensity, duration, and rest. Resistance Bands - Probably the least expensive, very versatile, convenient, and durable (but less durable than the other gear listed), but limiting for max strength development on their own. These are great for warm ups, bodybuilding style training, rehab/prehab, rotational exercises and helping build range of motion. You can also use them in conjunction with others weights you might have like DB's to add resistance, which is one thing I love to do with these. These are also great for helping build range of motion for difficult movements such as Overhead Squats. Cook Bands are particularly great for corrective exercise. DumbBells - A staple in any gym. Relatively inexpensive for 1 or 2 pairs, but building a solid collection gets expensive. Also, DB's can present a bit of a challenge to store neatly. The convenience factor and durability of DB's are very high. The size is small which is great, but if you build a large collection the space requirements grow quickly. I use DB's often, particularly for bodybuilding style training as well as in WOD's. They can be a great alternative in workouts that use a barbell. KettleBells- Another gym staple. Space/storage requirement is about the same as DB's, convenience is just as high, durability is extremely high, and cost is a little expensive when compared to DB's, particularly when you get a quality bell (a must). I love using these right now, as they create more of a challenge than DB's do and you have some more freedom of movement and more complexity in what you can do with them. I gravitate to the bells more so than the DB when looking for a quick way to build strength and especially when looking for a weight to use in WODs. These are great tools and will last forever. Quality comes into play with KB's, so try a reputable manufacturer, such as KB Kings, Rogue, or Vulcan. Sliders- The ultimate core training tool - whether you get the cheap plastic furniture sliders or some of the best like the Havak Sliders, you get a ton of versatility, and easy storage as these are small. They range from super cheap to a medium price. This is another tool where you are only limited by your imagination. Great calisthenics and core strengthening options with the sliders. Any of these additions to your gym at home will be great add-ons that will enhance your ability to maintain or improve your fitness when you don't have time or access to a commercial gym. The best, most convenient way to build and maintain fitness over your lifetime is to remove as many barriers to training as possible. It doesn't get any better than having instant access to maintain or build fitness right in your garage or a room in your house. You've got instant access to food and to showers. You've got instant access to all your own music. You have to create a space in your house where you can work on your health and fitness for the sake of yourself and for your family in the future.
You don't have to do it all at once, just pick something that works for you and start from there.
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AuthorStrength & Conditioning Coach - Personal Trainer - Fitness Equipment Reviews - Garage Gym Owner - Fitness Apparel Reviews - Supplement Reviews - Archives
April 2022
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