A crowded gym can be frustrating, especially if you have limited hours to sweat off. The increase in membership cost, parking space problems, and the massive number of gym enthusiasts using all the equipment and thronging in the whole workout area after working hours can drain your energy even before working out.
That said, many people nowadays opt-in to build a home gym for convenience and easy accessibility. They would prefer working out alone, with family members, teammates, or friends to achieve their desired body figure and improve overall fitness, all in the comforts of their home.
Building a home gym can be costly and would require adequate space. More so, you need to buy your own workout machines, weightlifting equipment, and training gear.
If you have outdated sports or workout items, you can sell them online to add them to your budget when you buy new ones, or you can try a sports equipment donation program to help aspiring athletes who can use your old gym equipment for their workouts and training.
Pros of Having a Home Gym
Gyms are most likely located in the heart of the city; having your home gym will lessen your excuses to miss a workout if you live from afar. Whether you choose to work out early in the morning, mid-day, or late in the evening, time will never be a factor when you have a home gym.
In addition, working out in a commercial gym usually affects self-consciousness and self-esteem, especially if you’ve been surrounded by people with well-toned, defined, and fit bodies. At times, it can lower self-confidence and make you avoid going to the gym at all.
Contrastingly, with having your own home gym, you have the freedom to choose the equipment to buy based on the size of your designated area and the pieces of equipment that apply to your workout regimen. You get to pick the music and have a continuous workout without waiting for someone to finish using other pieces of gym equipment.
Even though investing in a home gym is indeed pricey, its cost-efficiency, convenience, and flexibility is worth every penny in the long run; considering the gradual increase in commercial gym membership fees, setting up your home gym is certainly value for money.
Why Do You Need An Upgrade?
Gym equipment can undergo wear and tear damage. They can malfunction and may lead to injuries during workouts. An upgrade is a wise decision for safety purposes and your progressive need to enhance your advancing workout regimen.
Many new space-saving types of equipment can make more area for other gear you’d like to buy. Modified treadmills, stationary bikes, and other cardio machines are on the market with state-of-the-art technology that improves grip resistance and delivers smoother workouts.
To further enhance your fitness journey, here are some tips to upgrade your home gym:
1. Do some research
Buying a new set of equipment can cost you more than your previous purchase. Do some research and compare your old equipment with the new ones. New releases may cost you more, but with the added and newer features, it would surely be worth your money.
The most common upgrade nowadays in a piece of gym equipment is its transition from manual to digital. Touch screen monitors and Wi-Fi-enabled tools that can connect to your phone or PC through an application are widely offered in almost all modern gym equipment.
Upgrading your home gym may congest your workout space, for that reason, you must make sure to measure accurate dimensions of your home gym area to efficiently calculate the available space for your upgrades.
2. Determine What Is Essential
Your workout plan must be individualized according to what body measurements, build type, weight, and body mass index (BMI) you want to achieve. Determine what is essential in your regimen before purchasing.
A home gym does not require heavy and bulky equipment like an actual gym; what’s important is you need the basic tools for an effective home workout, such as a piece of equipment for cardio, resistance, and strength training.
Impulsive buying may only result in overspending for unnecessary tools and equipment. Prioritize your purchase to what is essential to your fitness goals and workout regimen. You can also ask your trainer or friends for suggestions regarding this.
3. Try a Do-It-Yourself Project
You can use DIY guides in upgrading your home gym. Upgrading doesn’t always equate to spending more. You can try to improvise some equipment through DIY, such as a weightlifting platform, stall bars, climbing pegboard, and slam balls. Aside from saving money, you can get creative and customize your home gym to your liking.
4. Buy Used Equipment
You can opt to buy used equipment for your upgrade project. Find a trustworthy fellow gym enthusiast or local gyms that sell their used gear. Though it requires patience to filter through the list and wait for the items you want, it could be worth it.
Taking All into Account
Building a home gym is increasingly popular nowadays. It gives you a personal space where you can heighten your self-esteem and confidence to achieve your fitness goals. You can work out at any time of the day in any which way you want.
Upgrades in your home gym are necessary to get rid of old equipment and replace them with something modern and more effective. Setting up your space with aesthetics can also boost motivation in working out.
You may need to search online thoroughly to find new pieces of equipment that are essential to your workout regimen. Determining what’s essential can save you time and money.
May it be a small or large home gym, cheap or expensive upgrades, the important thing to consider is for you to work out regularly to achieve overall body wellness.