There’s no sugarcoating it: sometimes making it to the gym isn’t always so easy. We’re here to make a case for skipping out on the stresses of having to share gym equipment and the endless quest to find a parking space by burning calories at the house!
Creating an at-home gym is an accessible and easy way to spice things up in your workout and fight cabin fever at the same time! Check out these five things you need to get your body moving without ever leaving your living room.
Kettlebells
For those who prefer to incorporate strength training into their regular workouts, keeping some kettlebells at home is the perfect way to bring the weight room to your living room. In addition to being easy to store and super portable, kettlebell workouts can rival any circuit that typically includes your favourite weight machines on the gym strength floor.
If you live on the upper floor of an apartment building or you have hardwood flooring, try investing in a soft kettlebell for your at-home gym. Soft kettlebells are typically filled with sand materials to meet their weight and are sure to keep your floors and your neighbours happy while you get a sweat session in.
Resistance Bands
Though they’ve been around for decades, resistance bands are becoming a must-have workout accessory for both at-home and gym use alike. Strength training doesn’t always have to mean weights are involved. The benefits of training with resistance bands are numerous, but some of the most notable include portability, affordability, and durability that can accommodate an endless amount of workouts.
Utilizing resistance bands in your workout allows you to engage nearly all of your muscle groups and is described by the American Council on Exercise to be just as effective as a traditional full-body weight training routine. Shop a variety of resistance bands from best-selling brands like B_ND to help you tone and strengthen while you’re waiting for dinner to be ready, listening to a podcast, or even in between commercial breaks.
Yoga Mat
Whether you like to stretch before you get into your reps for the day or you’re a seasoned yogi, you should always have a yoga mat in your home gym. The sheer nature of the product screams versatility and portability. No matter how much room for movement you may have at home, a yoga mat allows you to recreate a little piece of your favourite studio or meditation space for yourself no matter where you are.
Don’t let the name fool you, uses for your yoga mat don’t just stop at downward dog. Check out these 10 exercises you can do with just a yoga mat and enjoy some cross-training fun (maybe with your Xtrainerz on, too)! Not sure where to pick up your new home gym addition? Check out this affordable and eco-conscious yoga mat from Manduka!
Exercise Sliders
Up your core workout game when you add some exercise sliders into the mix! To be honest, exercise sliders (sometimes also called core sliders) are the type of workout accessory that you should always have on-hand for workouts anywhere.
Sliders offer a dynamic way to activate your core by changing the amount of friction that exists between your body and the ground, according to Pete McCall, M.S., C.S.C.S., exercise physiologist. As a result, your shoulder and core muscles have to intentionally engage to fight against tension and keep your body stable throughout the entire movement.
In addition to their fitness benefits, slides are another item that ensures your floors stay in tip-top shape, especially those with hardwood or even stained concrete. Take on a new challenge and try these core-challenging slider exercises during your next at-home workout.
Aeropex Wireless Headphones
Well, this one goes without saying! And not just because of Aeropex’s lightweight design and all-day battery life, either. If you live with roommates, family, or a partner, working out in your Aeropex headphones allows