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Home gym equipment to keep you in shape
What you need to know:
- Want to work out more often but don’t have money to pay for expensive gym membership? No more excuses. These workout essentials will help you sweat it out at home
Gyms were closed for a long time due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Much as they were recently reopened with gym goers observing standard operating procedures, you can still have simple home kits to help you exercise in the convenience of your home.
According to Stuart Oramire, a fitness enthusiast, although going to a commercial gym may seem like the most convenient option for anyone who wants to keep fit, it is one of the most costly in the long run. “Having your own gym equipment at home has many cost-saving and convenient benefits both short-term and long-term,” he says.
Dumbbells
“I bought a few gym gadgets such as the treadmill and dumbbells and I work out from home. Previously, I would only use the dumbbells to exercise my arm muscles but I also lately use them to build leg muscles by doing squats.
Oramire says dumbbells help you work on your triceps and biceps, forearms and shoulders. You can also improvise and use them to build chest muscles by lying on the gym bench or the floor.
However, remember that dumbbells are manufactured with different weights. You should not buy those that are lighter since they may not help you get results. However, heavier dunmbells, beyond your weight lifting capacity and ability, will cause chest pain, muscle injury or tear.
According to Nicholas Mwesigye, a regular gym goer, the cost of a pair of dumbbells is approximately Shs600,000. This is, however, determined by the quality and where you buy them. The primary purpose of dumbbells, Mwesigye says, is to build arms, chest, shoulders and keep the back in shape.
Riding bicycle
Mwesigye says to work out effectively from home, he bought a mountain climbing bicycle at Shs900,000 to replace the stationary or exercise bicycle he often used at the gym.
However, there are cheaper bicycle options ranging from Shs300,000 to Shs600,000, depending on where you buy it.
“I set out to ride and cover a planned distance or route within a day. I actually sweat a lot more than when using a stationary gym bicycle. I also use a lot more energy to peddle the bicycle forward and this helps me exercise my thighs and all other muscles in the legs,” Mwesigye says.
Boxing gloves and punching mitts
Among the many benefits of boxing, the martial arts workout blasts up to 600 calories an hour while sculpting your arms, shoulders, core, and legs. Gloves,that cost approximately Shs150,000, provide the ultimate padding for your safety while the mitts are worn by your exercise partner.
Yoga or floor mat
According to Anita Busingye, a yogi, the floor or yoga mat helps you engage in a number of exercises that will help you achieve a wholesome workout. The recommended type is one that is foldable and soft and averagely spongy. If you do not have a weight bench at home, a yoga mat can serve the purpose of a gym bench when lifting weights. The average cost of a floor mat, Busingye says, is between Shs50,000 to Shs100,000.
Resistance bands
According to self.com, resistance bands are great because they are lightweight, inexpensive, and do not take a lot of room to store.
“These small but mighty bands can take your glute workout to the next level. Try some glute bridges, side squats, or clamshells with a band around your ankles or under the knees. The tighter the band is, the more challenging it is to work with,” the portal says.
The portal explains that resistance bands are a great way to add an extra challenge to lower-body exercises, in particular.
Benefits
Availability: Your home gym is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You will never have to worry about gym schedules and closing time – your home gym is ready for you when you are.
No wasted time travelling to and from the gym. You cannot always be so lucky to have a local gym close by. And even a short drive can cut 15 or so minutes out of your day. Time spent driving to and from the gym is time that could have been used in your workout.
Never have to share equipment or wait for a station to open up. Once your weight lifting routine starts, it can be frustrating to have to stop. Having your own gym setup at home means never having to stop for others to finish their sets again or have to adjust the machines to fit you. Your machines and equipment will always be ready and dialed in just for you.
You can wear whatever you like. At home, you workout in whatever makes you comfortable without having to worry about fitting in or being fashionable.
