Must Have Gear For Tiny Home Gyms
Space is often at a premium, especially for those who have made their home in an urban setting. Without the luxury of basements and garages, it can be hard to carve out space for a home gym, let alone equip one. That being said, it can absolutely be done and with this guide to some of the best fitness gear for small spaces, we’ll show you how.
Yoga Mat
Gone are the days of thick mats reminiscent of grade school gym class. Today’s home gym is equipped with a high quality, easy to store yoga mat that will seamlessly take you from strength training to downward dog without needing an equipment swap. Look for a thick mat that will provide plenty of cushioning, protect the ground, and prevent you from slipping. Manduka’s Black Mat PRO is a solid option and a worthwhile investment. If you’re looking for a more permanent set up, the PRO Squared is where it’s at.
Dumbbells
Perfect for strength training, no matter what your fitness goals may be, dumbbells are compact, easy to store, and indispensable when it comes to a well-rounded fitness regimen. When selecting dumbbells, opt for vinyl coated options as they tend to be more comfortable and choose a couple of different weights, depending on your goals and routine. Body Solid offer a wide variety of styles and colors which means that just about everyone should be able to find what they’re looking for.
Resistance Bands
Incredibly easy to store and great for all sorts of training, resistance bands are a great way to add variety to your workout and focus on parts of your body that are difficult to target with other pieces of equipment. Since they’re so easy to tuck away, they make ideal traveling companions and are perfect for even the smallest spaces. When shopping for bands, aim to buy at least 3 different types so that you’re able to work with different resistance levels. SPRI’s Xertubes offer comfortable grips, a range of options, and are easy to use which makes them a great choice for novices and experts alike.
Foam Roller
Often overlooked but incredibly important, foam rollers should be an integral part of your fitness routine, no matter what it may be. Foam rolling allows you to relax tight muscles and tendons, stretch to improve soft tissue extensibility, and target areas that may have otherwise been overlooked. Inexpensive and incredibly effective, foam rollers are like having a sports therapist on-call, 24/7. ProTec offers a wide range of foam roller options that are suited to just about every need, making them an excellent option for stocking your gym.
Push Up Bars
When it comes to push ups, even the best intentions often lead us astray. What feels like a killer workout can be ineffective at best, harmful at worst. With push up bars, you’re guaranteed a more stable workout and a wider range of motion, allowing you to focus on maintaining good form and getting the most out of the exercise. Nike’s push up grips are sturdy, comfortable, and feature a non-slip base. Best of all, they’re small enough to stash in even the most confined quarters.
Sound System
No gym is complete without a sound system. Sometimes, all it takes to get motivated is a killer soundtrack that will leave you feeling as if though the world is yours to conquer. Because size matters, go for something sleek and compact that will accommodate your phone or mp3 player without needing complicated adapters or wires. Bose offers some of the best options out there, ranging from wi-fi music systems to mini Bluetooth speakers that seriously deliver when it comes to sound. As an added bonus, they look so cool that chances are, you won’t even want to put them away at the end of your workout session.
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