The world has changed. Yes, it has been doing so for centuries but in modern times we are talking more about staying at home and doing the things we would normally need to do outside or at a specific venue.

Too often we are drawn into the appeal of keeping up with the Jones’s, as the old saying goes, and lose sight of easily achievable alternatives. We seemingly follow the crowd, do what we have always done, and think nothing of it, but the time for personal change is upon us.

More people these days are working from home, performing tasks online in the comfort of their studies rather than waking up before the sun rises to catch the train for the commute to the city. We can better time manage, multi-task with things around the home, and the most important element, save time.

So how does this fit into our health and lifestyle, well, being at home can also make us lose interest in fitness and exercise as we no longer need to go to the gym to justify the membership, thus we begin to feel frumpy. But no more, you can have your usual active regime from the comfort of your home, and without the hefty price tag too, win-win.

At home.

Setting up a home gym is not only for the professionals as many like to think of deterring themselves before they have even begun, with a few tips and pointers to get you on your way you will have a fitness center of your own set up in no time.

First and foremost you need to see what is available on the market in terms of equipment, consider your budget and fitness goals, and then check out the latest home gym equipment review to be well-versed in all products to get the job done.

There is something for everyone, all ages, and fitness levels, you only need to find what works for you, and at a fraction of the cost, you might think.

To get started, now that you have marked the pieces of equipment and tools that you like (some based purely on aesthetics of course) you need to consider the best place to begin creating your workout space. A few features will make the area more comfortable and enjoyable and you will look forward to the next day’s workout.

Added extras.

While you are waiting for your newly purchased items to be delivered to you so you can begin to set up the smaller things to bring it all together, let’s take a quick look at some additions to liven up the space.

• TV or sound system. Sound makes the pain of working out (if you are into building muscles) easier to handle. It could mean drum and bass music pumping at max volume to motivate you, or you could enjoy an hour incline walk while watching a movie or the news. No matter what you decide one or both of these is essential.
• Hooks. These seem trivial but you use them more than you know. A simple coat rack or a few hooks on the wall for hanging towels, exercise bands, skipping ropes, or even a thermal sweatshirt for those extreme sweating sessions will make the process more efficient. It is out of the way and easy to grab when you need something.
• Table or water station. If you don’t have a water cooler machine, there are cheap domestic ones perfect for the home, then a small side table with a jug of water, an energy drink perhaps and glasses goes without saying. You will need to stay hydrated to keep the muscles from exhausting during training, see here https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/Exercise-the-low-down-on-water-and-drinks for an interesting article on the topic.
• Whiteboard. This may not be your typical gym accessory but it is increasing in popularity in home gyms. You can use it to write down your training schedule, reps, and sets you did during workouts, and even make notes of things to remember to buy or do once you have finished. They are small, compact, and will come in handy when you least expect it.

Lastly, to top it all off a full-length mirror, or the biggest one you can afford, and you are set to go. You will want to see the changes happening as you train, am I right?

Staying fit.

If you are new to the world of gym tights, sweatbands, and swigging from water bottles then you are not alone, the main objective is that you have committed to making a change for the better. Your home gym is complete, your shopping for new workout gear was a success, now all you need to do is begin and maintain.

Sounds simple right, but one of the biggest downfalls to fitness is staying motivated and disciplined. Why not try to read a quick quote each morning, see some examples in this link and start the day on a high. Exercise gives you endorphins and paired with a great workout will make each day better than the next.

No one is going to hold your hand, drag you to the gym, and make you train, you need to be self-disciplined. It may not be easy in the beginning, or even during the middle, but by the end of it, you will thank yourself for it. And, you’ll look fantastic. Win-win.