Your Pace in Your Space: A Beginner's Guide to Building a Home Gym
Published on: 17/09/2024 by Jasmin Bodman
Disclaimer: All information is for guidance only. Participants who take part do so at their own risk. If you are unsure whether a workout is suitable for you, please consult a doctor beforehand.
Have you ever found yourself dreaming of rolling out of bed and straight into the gym without having to leave the house? A home gym can be a great investment, perfect for various reasons: you can save money on a membership, exercise privately in your own home, fit workouts around your busy schedule, the list goes on.
If you’ve decided to set up your own home gym but have no idea where to begin, then Sports Direct is here to help. This guide aims to help you choose some of the best home gym equipment that’ll help to build your fitness and strength up from the comfort of your own house!
Note: Everyone’s different, so you may find that some items on this list aren’t for you - this is guidance only.
Let's begin with the basics...
So you’ve got the space where your home gym will be set up, you just don’t know how to fill it. Starting off with the basics can help to fill out the space and ensure you have the essentials. Some basic pieces like these can also aid in workouts that don’t involve equipment, so if you’re unsure as to whether to purchase any machinery, giving a few of these a try could help you decide which workouts are best for you.
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Gym or yoga mat: Having one of these handy can make doing certain exercises more comfortable and much easier. Providing a cushioned barrier between you and the floor, gym and yoga mats come in a variety of materials, such as foam or rubber and some can provide a non-slip surface so you can focus on your workout. Useful for yoga, pilates, stretching and other floor workouts.
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Water bottle: One of the most essential items you’ll need for your gym is a water bottle. Staying hydrated while working out is key, so having one to hand is a necessity.
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Towels: A towel in your home gym will be a saviour after those particularly sweaty sessions. Ideally, a microfibre towel that is made with absorbent materials can be the best option to have on hand.
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Resistance bands: A simple yet effective piece of kit, resistance bands can be useful to add to your home gym thanks to their versatility. They can be used for a variety of exercises and you can add resistance to your workouts as and when you’re able to! Having a couple to hand is great for fitting in a workout without the use of a machine. Resistance bands can come in different sizes, so choosing the right one for you that’ll benefit your workout is vital.
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Skipping rope: A skipping rope can be a great bit of kit to help you stay fit, as well as enhance your endurance. You can save lots of space but still get a great cardio workout with a piece of equipment like this.
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Gym ball: Great for many different exercises, including some core workouts, a gym ball can be good for toning up, making it an important part of your personal gym.
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Gloves and weight lifting belts: If you want to build your strength through weight training, then gym gloves and belts should be an essential item in your home gym. Helping to take some of the strain off your body while you lift, a gym belt can be a useful piece of equipment for you. Gloves can provide extra comfort and grip too, so you can focus on your workout.
Weights…and lift!
Weights are an incredibly important part of many gym routines. There are different types of weights, as well as different sizes and amounts, so choosing the right one for you is essential - if you’re using a weight that is too light, you won’t be challenged but if you’re using a weight that is too heavy, you could risk getting injured.
Sometimes, you may struggle with lifting as much as you did the day before, but don’t worry as occasionally, your muscles can take longer to recover. Always do your research and consult with a doctor or personal trainer if you’re unsure which weights are right for you.
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Dumbbells: You can use dumbbells to train both your upper and lower body, building muscle and strength. Coming in a range of sizes, a dumbbell is a great addition to your home gym, allowing you to do a variety of movements and workouts.
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Kettlebells: Build your muscles and strength up by using kettlebells, ideal for use through workouts such as HIIT, circuit and strength training.
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Medicine balls: Generally, you can use medicine balls to build up your core and upper body muscles and they can be great props in HIIT and cardiovascular workouts.
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Ankle and wrist weights: If you want some weights but don’t want them to take up lots of space, why not opt for some ankle and wrist weights? Add to simple workouts to increase the use of your muscles, they can be an easy investment to add to your home gym.
Exercise machines
If you’ve got a larger space you want to fill, having an exercise machine or two can help to replicate a real gym as well as hit your fitness goals. There are many types of machine you can choose from, so here’s a few options that are beginner friendly!
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Cross trainers: Great for full body workouts, you can target different muscle groups while also getting a good cardio session in.
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Exercise bikes: Tone muscles and get a cardio endurance workout with an exercise bike. You can burn calories while also training your muscles, so it’s a great option if you want the benefits of riding a bike without leaving the house.
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Treadmill: If you want a machine that’ll give you a good cardio workout in the form of a run, jog or walk, then a treadmill is for you. If it’s raining outside but you still want to get a fitness hit, then a treadmill is a great option.
Treadmills, Exercise Bikes and Cross Trainers Buying Guide
Unsure which exercise machine is the best for you? Check out our handy guide for more information.
Your home gym
The attraction of building your own home gym is that you can tailor it to suit your fitness goals and needs. Whether you have a large or small space spare, you can kit it out with any workout gear you like and create your own personal haven for fitness.
Whatever you want to gain from your fitness journey, this guide by Sports Direct is aimed at helping beginners to find equipment they might want to purchase or look into when building their own home gym. For more products and information, you can view all of the home gym equipment on offer, so whether you’re on a smaller budget or you want to splash out, Sports Direct strives to help you achieve your fitness goals.
