At this point I’ve published hundreds of articles on personal finance and development. This time around, I wanted to show you how you can be frugal and still invest in yourself – particularly, in your own health by working out. Gym memberships are expensive, prohibitively so in my opinion. On top of that, going to a gym to exercise has a lot of negatives like the commute, setup time, and the fact that it makes it even harder to stick to a consistent workout schedule.
In modern life, with everyone so busy, there is an easier solution – and one that’s far more cost effective to boot. Without further ado, let’s get into working out on a budget and some of the best exercises you can do at home.
Building A Home Gym
So, I’ve already established that home gyms are more convenient and cheaper in a previous article. Additionally, if you are someone who is insecure about working out in front of others, has issues staying consistent, or are fairly new to workout programs, then building a home gym is probably the perfect solution that will actually help you with your health. Let’s get into more of the reasons about why that is:
- If you’re insecure, a home gym lets you work out in privacy. Of course, anyone who makes fun of you for trying to better yourself should worry more about themselves and their behavior than you.
- A home gym is peak convenience. If you find yourself buying gym memberships, but find that you never have the time to go, a home gym cuts out that excuse. As long as you have a few minutes to spare, you can just walk over and do your workout!
- If you’re newer to working out, then you will probably have a cheaper home gym cost up front. Eventually you’ll have to upgrade certain things or buy more plates, but it’s a lot easier for you to get something that works for your level. Of course, if you’re brand new make sure you take the time to learn the proper form for your exercises if you want to prevent injury and make the most of your routine.
Exercises Without Equipment
Fortunately, there are tons of exercises you can do with little or no equipment, which we’ll get into here. Of course, look up a video of any exercise I mention in this article, so you can view the proper form before trying it.
Stairs
First up on the list, stairs let you do several good exercises. You can start with some generic stair climbing. If that bit of cardio isn’t your cup of tea, or you want to get more use out of the stairs, there are several other workouts you can do. Step-ups are a nice way to work legs, but it you’re more interested in triceps then stair dips can help you build that muscle group (which makes your arms look more toned), and you can even use it for things like mountain climbers. All-in-all, stairs make several exercises easier, and most of us have access to some.
Lunges
Lunges are a great way to work your legs. If you have weights you can use, like dumbbells, then that’s even better! With or without equipment, you’ll still find it a lovely way to work on those legs and build them up.
Squats
Oh – did you think I was done with exercises for your legs? Squats are a staple for a reason, and they’ve been a regular part in all of my workouts for years.
Push-Ups
Push-ups are a classic for a reason. They work several muscle groups and are a great way to build strength if you need it. Of course, if you’re a beginner you can try to ease yourself into it before you do standard push-ups. Likewise, if you wont to focus on the chest more or less, there are variants you can try that require no extra equipment.
Sit-Ups
Sit-ups and crunches are both a decent way to work on your core with no equipment. Of course, the plank can also serve that function well.
Running And Walking
Running, hiking, and walking are all cheap and super easy to get into. Beyond that, they can help you shed any extra weight you may be carrying. If you don’t like running, walking can be an alternative that still helps you without putting so much stress on your knees.
Exercises With Basic Equipment
Now, if you’ve bought some basic equipment for a home gym, a lot more exercises open up for you. Again, look up videos and practice good form first!
Jumping Rope
Jumping rope is an excellent form of cardio. It can be a bit intense, but the results can surprise you. If you don’t like running, but want something more intense than walking, this is probably the next best thing to try.
Squats
Remember how I mentioned squats earlier? If you have a squat rack and a barbell, you can really add some weight to the exercise. Sometimes it can be hard to see visible results with body-weight exercises and no equipment, but using weights may help your squats show faster-paced improvement.
The Bench Press
The bench press is a classic for a reason. If you want to work on your chest, it’s an easy decision to incorporate them into your workout routine.
Bent-Over Rows
Bent-over rows are less popular than their pull-up counterpart, but they can be just as effective. Honestly, if you’re unable to do a pull-up, then bent-over rows can help you build up the strength over time to successfully complete one.
Pull-Ups
Pull-ups are another where they’re a classic for a reason. They’re great for your back, shoulders, and even arms. If you can do one, it may be a good idea to fit them into your routine. Alternatively you can work your way up to them with things like bent-over rows, assisted pull-ups, and dead hangs.
Deadlift
Deadlifts seem hotly debated lately, but they’re still useful. If you’re concerned about their safety, there are many deadlift variants that offer a safer exercise with seemingly similar results.
Overhead Press
Nothing makes you feel like superman quite like the overhead press! Some people aren’t a big fan of it, but I’ve always found it to be a fun exercise – and you need some of that in your regiment. Find exercises you have fun with and stick to them!
Conclusion
Home gyms definitely are a good investment, make your life easier, and pay for themselves fast. While an investment of $1000 (perhaps a little more or less) might be a lot for some, it may be worthwhile to save up for it. Your health is important, and having a home gym may be the best way to take care of it, in addition to eating right through things like meal planning. Of course, there are also tons of exercises you can get started with no equipment at all, so there are no excuses!
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