Home Gym Gear Up
When we started looking to buy a house last fall, I had one request, a two car garage.
Not for cars, but so I had plenty of space to build out my home gym.
As a self-identified gym rat, this was an important and necessary part of a complete home. I wanted a space to train, think and tinker. Little did I know only after a few months of having my home gym, would I be restricted to only use that since the Gain was closed. It turned out to be nice that we had the full set up accessible to use during the lockdown.
I have everything in my home gym. Squat rack, spin bike, multiple barbells, heavy dumbbells, really heavy dumbbells, all the bands and a variety of kettlebells.
As we head into the winter, many of you are thinking about creating a gym or a space to get your fitness on. If the lockdown taught us anything, it’s that we should have some space and equipment to train at home when we need to. Here’s what you should think about adding to your home gym set up.
You don’t need as many weights as you think. Kettlebell, or dumbbell, doesn’t matter. They both have their own advantages.
You should think about getting one heavy one, and one lighter one.
The heavy one should be a task to move. You shouldn’t want to carry it up and down stairs, but you could if you need to. You’ll use that heavier weight for deadlifts, swings, carries and maybe even squats. The lighter weight should be one you can easily carry around can be used for higher rep squats, single leg movements like lunges, split squats and SLDLs and upper body pushing and pulling movements like floor presses, overhead presses and rowing.
If you had two weights like that, I think you could do everything you need to do to have a sound strength and conditioning program. Would more weights allow you more variety? Sure, but it could still be effective with just that.
If I were to add one more thing, I would get a piece of conditioning equipment.
At home, I have a Concept II Bike Erg. It’s fancy, but doesn’t have the unnecessary bells and whistles like a big screen and I can’t tune into a live classes with it.
A spin bike like that, or an Air Bike or even a rower is perfect for your home gym. They’re all simple machines that can pack a punch of effectiveness so long as you can get yourself on it.
Don’t get lured into thinking you need a bike or rower that has live stream classes. It’s great in theory, but I’ve yet to meet a person who’s Peloton changed their life. Training at home is hard, a technology isn’t your magic fix. Stick with simple and get used to motivating yourself to use it.
Justin Miner
