Does being on Coronavirus lockdown make you dread the #Quarantine15?
Are you feeling some separation anxiety from your gym?
There’s no need to give up your goals just because you’re stuck at home. It’s time to set up that home gym! But don’t worry, you don’t have to max out the credit card on a new spin bike or massive room-filling equipment. You can get a great workout with very few lost-cost items – OR – get creative with things you already have around the house!
Here are 4 essential items to get you back on track:
- Sliders
These little guys may seem simple, but they add a whole other level to your workout. Believe me – you’ll be feeling the burn!
Exercises:
Ab work (pikes, plank knee tucks), Booty work (glute bridges, skaters, curtsy lunges), Arm work (sliding push-ups, arm crawls, cross-under planks)
Free alternative:
Paper/Plastic Plates, Washcloths, Soft Socks (on hard floors)
- Dumbbells
Your best bet for space-saving is a set of adjustable dumbbells. Most go up to 20-40lbs. with just the spin of a dial. Adjustable weights can be expensive though, so if they’re outside your budget, look for a set of individual dumbbell pairs, which often go for about $1/lb. You’ll generally need a pair of 5 lbs., 7.5 lbs., and 10 lbs. as a beginner.
Exercises:
Arm work (Bicep curls, tricep extensions), Shoulder work (shoulder presses, skull crushers), Booty work (leg lifts, squats, lunges)
Free alternative:
Water Bottles, Canned Goods
- Jump Rope
Remember how much fun this was as a kid? Well it’s a great cardio workout!
Exercises:
Traditional 2-foot jumps, alternating-foot jumps, alternating-heel jumps
Free alternative:
Do the motions without the rope! Still works 😉 For added challenge, hold light dumbbells while you jump rope-free.
- Resistance Bands
These are the mother of all home workout equipment. They come in a variety of weight-resistances and they can do almost any exercise you can think of. Just be sure to inspect them before every use for micro-tears, so they don’t snap and injure you.
Exercises:
Arm work (bicep curls, tricep extensions), Shoulder work (shoulder presses, chin-ups/pull-downs – tie to a doorknob), Chest work (chest presses), Leg work (squats, lunges), Booty work (curtsy lunges, leg push-backs)
Free alternative: Nylons, Robe-Tie
I have been really enjoying my at-home workouts recently!
Awesome! I think it’s a silver lining of the coronavirus that people are learning how great at-home workouts can be! There are so many benefits!
I really need to get myself a jump rope it’s the perfect cardio!!!
I love that you included free alternatives, I’m having a tough time with not being able to go to the gym!! Thank you!!
The biggest challenge for me at the moment is actually the mindset to workout properly. I get distracted easily with what’s on TV or the music in the background.
I’ve been getting bored with my at-home workouts so these are very helpful!
Absolutely LOVE the idea of jump rope motions with dumbbells! Once I get some smaller ones I will definitely try that out, thanks!
It’s just like using a weighted jump rope, except you never trip!
This gave me the push I needed to start working out at home. Thanks a lot for this
Great ideas! And you’re right I loved jump roping so why not start it up again!?!
I wish I had these things before the lockdown started, would be so handy right now!
Since I don’t have dumbbells, I’ve been using bottles of rum. Working with what I have at home.
LOL! Hey, whatever works! That’s the spirit 😉
This is a neat list and best they are all so easy to store!
Love that these are all inexpensive items. Thanks for the recommendation!