I get asked all the time about my home gym.
Where did I get everything? What's a good place to start? What do I need MOST?
And so here's my answers to those questions...
1) What do I need to start a homegym?
If you are in a small space, I'd recommend 2-3 sets of dumbbells ranging from 5-20# each. As well as a resistance band and a superband (smaller one). I buy most of my dumbbells from garage sales, thrift stores, play it again sports, craigslist, etc but you can also find great sales at department stores like Academy Sports, Dick's Sporting Goods, Walmart, and Target!
I started with these 3-4 items and eventually added in a foam roller for sore muscles. You can easily complete programs like sheSTRENGTH, Body Beast, and 21-Day Fix with these items from home.
2) What do I need to add to my gym after the initial set of equipment?
I'd highly recommend a barbell. Some metal and rubber plates. I got my first barbell from uncle who had it in the back of his old garage. But you can typically find barbells people aren't using. The men's bar is typically 45 pounds and has a thicker base. The women's bar has a thinner grip area and is 35# typically. In the weight lifting world this is 15 kilos and 30 kilos. Just make sure they aren't bent or too rusty. I bought my plates from garage sales actually and got really lucky with my rubber plates--scoring them at a garage sale too. But typically some 5, 10 and 2.5# metal plates are good so you can increase the weights you lift in 5# increments. As for the rubber plates get heavier ones like 25# and 45# sets. I recommend researching the best prices on those on amazon.com or Roguefitness.com
usually you can find good deals on those two sites. I also told our local thrift store guy to keep an eye open for weights and plates that may come in...so he has my number to call if somebody does drop them off I can have first dibs.
3) I then would recommend a good mat for the floor. I bought my rubber mats at a local farm store. We bought stall mats. 3/4" thick. I placed them together side by side to make a small workout space for me to drop my weights and to do sit ups and burpees, etc on. I also invested in a soft mat to also complete those movements on because the rubber mat can get dirty quickly AND really hurts when you do sit ups on it sweaty...(road rash anyone??)
4) After that we worked to build a squat rack. My husband can weld so he welded together some metal we found from a local factory selling it and we pieced the rig together with a pull up bar. I got the measurements directly off of www.roguefitness.com
I did order the J-Cups to rest the bar on, from Rogue, to make sure they were strong enough to hold the bar or weights we placed on it. And from there I just added piece by piece. Keep in mind this has been over the course of 8-9 years. We bought 2 kettlebells, 2 dynamax medicine balls, a spin bike, a treadmill, a set of rings, a rope to climb, a GHD sit up machine, a rower...and next on my list is an Assault bike. We bought some more accessory like stuff as well--made our own sandbag, my dad welded a sled, a friend welded a pull sled, my husband built a box for box jumps (20x24x30"). A slam ball. An abmat for sit ups.
And the list goes on. :)
I'll be answering more specific questions over at snapchat: home.gym for those who want specifics such as brands, etc. Or feel free to message me at: www.facebook.com/annawoodsfitness
OR email me at: anna@shestrength.com
My next online strength training groups begin June 27!! I'll be posting updates and list applications SOON on facebook. Make sure to subscribe to be on the list BELOW....
Where did I get everything? What's a good place to start? What do I need MOST?
And so here's my answers to those questions...
If you are in a small space, I'd recommend 2-3 sets of dumbbells ranging from 5-20# each. As well as a resistance band and a superband (smaller one). I buy most of my dumbbells from garage sales, thrift stores, play it again sports, craigslist, etc but you can also find great sales at department stores like Academy Sports, Dick's Sporting Goods, Walmart, and Target!
I started with these 3-4 items and eventually added in a foam roller for sore muscles. You can easily complete programs like sheSTRENGTH, Body Beast, and 21-Day Fix with these items from home.
2) What do I need to add to my gym after the initial set of equipment?
I'd highly recommend a barbell. Some metal and rubber plates. I got my first barbell from uncle who had it in the back of his old garage. But you can typically find barbells people aren't using. The men's bar is typically 45 pounds and has a thicker base. The women's bar has a thinner grip area and is 35# typically. In the weight lifting world this is 15 kilos and 30 kilos. Just make sure they aren't bent or too rusty. I bought my plates from garage sales actually and got really lucky with my rubber plates--scoring them at a garage sale too. But typically some 5, 10 and 2.5# metal plates are good so you can increase the weights you lift in 5# increments. As for the rubber plates get heavier ones like 25# and 45# sets. I recommend researching the best prices on those on amazon.com or Roguefitness.com
usually you can find good deals on those two sites. I also told our local thrift store guy to keep an eye open for weights and plates that may come in...so he has my number to call if somebody does drop them off I can have first dibs.
3) I then would recommend a good mat for the floor. I bought my rubber mats at a local farm store. We bought stall mats. 3/4" thick. I placed them together side by side to make a small workout space for me to drop my weights and to do sit ups and burpees, etc on. I also invested in a soft mat to also complete those movements on because the rubber mat can get dirty quickly AND really hurts when you do sit ups on it sweaty...(road rash anyone??)
4) After that we worked to build a squat rack. My husband can weld so he welded together some metal we found from a local factory selling it and we pieced the rig together with a pull up bar. I got the measurements directly off of www.roguefitness.com
I did order the J-Cups to rest the bar on, from Rogue, to make sure they were strong enough to hold the bar or weights we placed on it. And from there I just added piece by piece. Keep in mind this has been over the course of 8-9 years. We bought 2 kettlebells, 2 dynamax medicine balls, a spin bike, a treadmill, a set of rings, a rope to climb, a GHD sit up machine, a rower...and next on my list is an Assault bike. We bought some more accessory like stuff as well--made our own sandbag, my dad welded a sled, a friend welded a pull sled, my husband built a box for box jumps (20x24x30"). A slam ball. An abmat for sit ups.
And the list goes on. :)
I'll be answering more specific questions over at snapchat: home.gym for those who want specifics such as brands, etc. Or feel free to message me at: www.facebook.com/annawoodsfitness
OR email me at: anna@shestrength.com
My next online strength training groups begin June 27!! I'll be posting updates and list applications SOON on facebook. Make sure to subscribe to be on the list BELOW....
