With the high price of gym fees, the occasional closure due to public health crises and other reasons, many athletes are searching for ways to get a quality workout at home. While quite a few are reluctant to create a workout space at home due to the potentially daunting cost of fitness equipment, quite a few workout aficionados are creating cost-effective workout spaces at home. Here are a few ideas to help you design your home gym for under 100 dollars.
Exercise and yoga mats are often very affordable, usually under 20 bucks, and provide a soft surface for yoga or low-resistance strength training. They're easy to store since they roll up into a small package and are perfect for homes or apartments with limited space.
Many different weights of dumbbells can be found at a reasonable price. These can help with toning and strengthening muscles. They can also help break up the routine of low-resistance strength training as there are numerous workouts that can be performed with dumbbells of any weight.
Resistance bands are also an affordable way to help with your training at home. These bands are not only affordable, but they are easy to store if you have limited space. They can aid in low-body workouts as well provide an added challenge during your favorite routines.
Skipping ropes, or jump ropes, are one of the most affordable pieces of workout equipment and should be a necessity in your home gym. Athletes of many different sports rely on rope skipping to improve footwork and provide a great aerobic workout. A quick-paced jump rope session will increase your heart rate quickly to burn calories as well as allow your body to sweat due to vigorous activity.
Remember that skipping rope is a little more intense than some other activities, so hydrate before your session with a TapouT sports drink.
A great workout with a stability ball can help tighten and strengthen your core muscles. Stability balls can be purchased rather cheaply, so they won't break the bank when adding them to your home gym equipment.
If you're looking for a great workout, you may wish to look around your home and use what's available. If yoga or activities that require limited aren't your thing, consider climbing stairs if you have them. Stairs can help work the lower body and replace the hill climb setting on the treadmill at the gym.
Maybe even consider taking your home gym outside. If the weather cooperates, taking up running, jogging, walking or even interval training can help keep you in great shape. There are often many places to run or walk in the great outdoors.
Activities such as running cause your body to burn a lot of fluids, so make sure you hydrate with a sports drink that can supply your body with the sodium and electrolytes it needs to hydrate properly during exercise. Consuming a TapouT Citrus Kick an hour before a run will provide your body with the calories and carbohydrates necessary to help your body perform. TapouT also supplies the nutrients your muscles need such as potassium and magnesium.
Nothing beats free, right?
Replace the expensive trainer at the gym by looking into free training apps and videos on services such a YouTube and Facebook Watch. There are many reputable trainers who publish workouts online for free. Whether you're looking for a 20-minute ab workout, a complete yoga routine, a daily strength training regimen or any other type of at-home workout, you can easily find one that won't cost you a penny.
No matter what you use your home gym for, it's important to make sure that you hydrate properly before, during and after every workout.
The key to proper hydration is routine. Consuming mass amounts of fluids just before a workout won't hydrate you properly and can lead to reduced performance or the need to stop your workout to use the bathroom as excess fluids move through your system. Try drinking a glass of water every hour throughout the day. This will keep your body hydrated without the need to introduce excess fluids Save before or after a workout.
A workout takes a lot more out of your body than just water. Try drinking a TapouT Citrus Kick or low-calorie Cherry Lemonade Blast an hour before your training session. TapouT supplies your body with 240mg of natural sodium, more than other leading sports performance beverages. This sodium prevents fluids from being rushed out of your body as waste and allows all of your systems to capitalize on the fluids you have consumed.
TapouT can also help your body perform by providing the electrolytes and vitamins your body needs to get the most out of your fitness routine. Both flavors of TapouT contain:
- Vitamins A, C, E, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B12
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Chloride
- Calcium
These vitamins boost your immune system, give your body energy and keep your brain alert under duress. Many other sports beverages ignore vitamins, but TapouT has been formulated to take care of your entire body during a workout session.
You may also wish to consider replenishing these vitamins and minerals after your workout. Electrolytes help your muscles recover from workouts and can reduce the risk of strains from repetitive tasks. The good news about working out at home is that your pre and post-workout TapouT is cold and on hand in your kitchen's refrigerator.