Fitness has undergone a surprising metamorphosis in recent years with an increasing number of people ditching their gym memberships to work out in the comfort of their own homes. Although there are countless benefits to exercising at home, the hefty price tag on some pieces of exercise equipment may be a big deterrent to many would-be fitness enthusiasts. Luckily, there are many versatile essentials, such as the following, that will boost your home workouts without breaking the bank.
Get a Quality Exercise Mat
The most basic piece of equipment you need if you are considering exercising at home, is a good quality exercise mat. Whether you are planning to do yoga, cardio exercises, or weight training, you want to be as comfortable as possible. When looking for a mat, make sure it possesses all four key features: grip, comfort, stability, and durability. Also, remember that a thicker mat will have more cushioning than a thin one. This is a very important consideration if you are exercising on a hard or textured floor.
Resistance Bands are a Must
If you want to make your workout more challenging, a set of resistance bands will definitely do the trick. These nifty bands are lightweight, easy to carry around, and inexpensive. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, resistance bands can safely be used by anyone, regardless of their fitness level. They are also extremely versatile and can be used to work just about every major muscle group in the body. Although you can buy resistance bands individually, a set will include bands with different tension levels, enabling you to use them according to the intensity you require.
Kettlebells are Extremely Versatile
A kettlebell is another extremely useful addition to any home exercise setup. They can be used for all of the main aspects of fitness including strength, flexibility, endurance, and balance training. Kettlebells are particularly good at improving core strength, muscle stability, and balance. They also have huge fat-burning potential with simply swinging a kettlebell burning as much as 20 calories a minute according to research. Combining kettlebell exercises with cardio (and a balanced diet, of course) will enable you to maximize your weight-loss efforts with minimal additional effort.
An increasing number of fitness enthusiasts are opting to exercise at home. A few basic, budget-friendly essentials are all you need to get started with your new workout regime.
