How tomake an inexpensive home gym

Gym memberships are expensive - but we can help you get the same, except cheaper and at home. So come with us to dive into the world of cheap home gyms and workouts…

The average UK gym membership is £ 40 per month, which works out to £ 480 per year. While this can be a great investment if you use the most expensive equipment on a daily basis, you can actually produce a pretty good knock-off of a lot of machines at home.

The gym can be a scary place too, and exercising at home gives you some certainty. Not only can you do your own exercises without feeling embarrassed (as many do), but you also aren't spending hundreds of pounds a year on fitness.

With all of that in mind, we're here to show you how to stop wasting money unnecessarily and, instead, save money on the cost of an annual gym membership without missing out. good quality exercise or equipment.

1. Invest in kettlebells or dumbbells

Cost: £ 19.99 + per kettlebell / dumbbell

Buying home gym equipment is the basis of this guide, and we've narrowed down a small list of items you might want to invest in for your home gym.

First, we suggest purchasing your own kettlebells or dumbbells, like the ones from Amazon.

Kettlebells and dumbbells can be used in a very similar way and are very versatile. Plus, they can also form the basis for so many different exercises and activities, including home workouts for the chest, legs and arms. So once you have them, you might find that you don't have to buy much else!

If you're wondering what exercises to do or how to do them, YouTube and Google are your friends - you can find as many instructional videos and guides online as the world is yours. And with that in mind...

2. Free online fitness classes

Cost: FREE

If you need a little motivation to work out at home, it may be worth using online classes to exercise with others.

Online fitness classes are especially useful if you're one of those people who like to feel like they're part of a group and can say no when it's free? And if that still doesn't feel right enough, finish the class with a roommate or friends via video call at the same time - then you can be social while working out!

If you don't know where to find these online classes, we suggest you take a look on YouTube and search for “free yoga classes” or “free peloton classes” - there always are.

3. Door frame pulls

Cost: £ 14.99

If you want to build your upper body strength, pull-ups are a great way to do it. And while we're pretty sure you've seen them in any prison movie or a fitness fanatic's room, it's worth noting that pull-up bars are a staple in any gym. home.

The bar fits over a door frame (top) and you can use it to pull yourself up. Depending on the type of pull-up bar you get, you may be able to work a range of muscles and try out different exercises - we suggest checking out ways to challenge yourself using this equipment online. We found a good deal for a pull up bar here.

The pull-ups will mainly work your lats (back) but also secondarily the biceps. You can also change your grip to have your palms facing you and doing chin-ups, to focus more on the biceps.

Just remember that while most door frames should be able to handle a pull-up bar with no problem (and no damage), you may want to check the condition before securing your gear.

The last thing you want is to know halfway through a pull-up that the door frame is rotting, as not only could the damage cost you part of your deposit, but the fall could also cost you a part of your deposit. To hurt you.

4. Set yourself fitness challenges

Cost: FREE

Sometimes a little competition is enough to motivate you to get out of bed and start a workout.

We've found that apps like Strava or Nike + Running Club are great if you can connect with your friends. Seeing other people's exercise can really get you out of the house, and running is always more fun outside than on a treadmill!

In the case of Strava, it is also possible to participate in challenges, which means that you get a (virtual) medal when you complete a 5 km race, for example.

The app will also tell you how fast you have completed certain "segments" (stretches of road that other Strava users have named). After each race or cycle it will tell you if you have broken your record for a given segment - trust us when we say you will become very competitive with yourself, very quickly.

But whatever app you use, the main reason to download them is to get out and get some fresh air - it's such an easy way to take care of yourself.

5. Use fitness apps

Cost: Varies

In addition to challenging yourself through apps like Strava and Nike +, we suggest you use other apps to fully immerse yourself in a "gym environment" at home.

We especially recommend SHREDDY or SWEAT, as they give you workouts to do, whether you're training at home or at the gym.

Sometimes there are monthly costs for apps like these, or you can choose to pay annually (which is often offered at a discount). If you're not sure if this is your cup of tea, definitely start with a monthly subscription - that way you waste less money if you don't like it or just stick to using it.

And, of course, you might also be able to find similar apps for free.

6. Make your own weights

Cost: FREE

Doing weights at home couldn't be easier, and you can usually do it with things you've already dragged around the house.

In the past, we've used empty four-pint plastic milk bottles and filled them with sand - with the added bonus that the milk bottle already has a handle to help you lift it. But you don't have to use sand - you can also use water, rice, pebbles, or whatever is in abundance.

If you're looking for something a little heavier, try filling a backpack or gym bag with books, magazines, cans, or whatever else you can find! In fact, if you are looking for a really heavy weight, you can even fill the bag with the milk bottle weights we mentioned earlier.

7. Use what you already have

Cost: FREE

A home gym that costs around £ 50 will never completely mimic a proper gym with thousands of pounds of equipment, but you can close the gap by making full use of the things already in your home.

For example, you can turn your couch or bed into a bench (raise some pillows if you need to), or use a coffee table as a platform for doing tricep dips.

Walls might not look very useful in the scheme of things, but we have used them for strength training. Palm rests are a great way to gain bodyweight strength in your core, as well as your arms, and walls are great for bending over for balance.

Tricep dips will work your triceps, while palm rests are great for your core and shoulders. You can also use the side of your bed / sofa to tilt or decline push-ups to work your chest, shoulders, triceps, and triceps.

If you've never done a palm rest before, take a look at YouTube for help - this may be a new and different way to exercise...

8. Designate a space for your workouts

If you are lucky enough to have a space in your home, we suggest that you use it for your workouts.

Whether it's a guest room, garage, or outdoor space, creating the right space for yourself is key to boosting your motivation when you want to work out.

If you are able to decorate your space, consider installing mirrors. Not only does this make the space bigger, it also lets you see your workouts.

We also recommend that you add posters, motivational quotes, lighting, a speaker that you might have lying around and more - whatever it takes to make this feel like this is your space. for training. Typo has a wide variety of all of the above, so take a look here. After all, mental health is just as important as physical health.

9. Get inexpensive training equipment accessories

Cost: £ 5 to £ 6 for resistance bands, £ 3.99 for jump rope, £ 2.99 + for exercise mat

To complement your home gym, there are a few "accessories" we suggest you change up and improve your workouts.

Using resistance bands can improve your squat routine and build muscle in your legs, while a jump rope will help you improve your cardio levels without you having to leave the space you are in. .

For some workouts, you may also need a yoga or exercise mat. These are incredibly versatile because not only do they make stretching and floor exercises easier, but they can also help you feel comfortable on your feet.