I’ve decided to dedicate a day on the blog to talking about fitness. I’m not sure what it’s going to look like from week to week but I think by talking about it I’ll be able to help myself stick to my goal of working out “consistently” in 2013. Feel free to shoot me an email or leave a comment if you have anything you’d like to learn more about (like I want to learn more about Crossfit so expect a post on that coming soon!)
I consider myself very fortunate to live in a large apartment with a spare room where I can have an “at home gym” because I DESPISE the gym scene. I’d rather not have to put effort into pulling myself together to then go and sweat-like- a-pig . I call it my “at home gym” but it’s really just a corner of a room that’s got some fitness equipment I’ve been collecting over the past few years, and that’s all I need right now.
I haven’t always despised the gym scene. In fact, a few years ago when I was “fluffy” I used to love going to the gym. I found it a very motivating place and I enjoyed working out with my then boyfriend. We consistently went to the gym and worked out together and that was a good thing. The problem was that when we’d leave we’d drive down the road and get pizza for dinner… and then have some ice cream just to make sure we ate enough… I still don’t have a clue how I gained 30+ pounds! HA!
After I moved back home I missed the way working out made me feel so I decided I needed to grab a few things for my room. I already had a yoga mat but I felt like I needed some dumbbells so I could do a little light strength training. Luckily, I found a 3 pound set in my mom’s closet and used those to get me started. After a short period of time I felt that I had moved on and I decided to go to Ocean State Job Lot and grab myself a few more dumbbells. I’m not sure why I decided to go there; I think I just assumed they would be affordable, which they certainly were.
A few years later when the Mr. and I moved in together we decided (OK, I decided and told him) that we should buy a spinning bike. I wanted a bike because back in my “fluffy” days at the gym I LOVED my spin classes. Plus, any workout that allows you to burn that many calories while sitting is amazing in my book. So we spent $200 or so dollars and bought a bike which we both LOVE to use and it’s still going strong two years later!
My advice to someone who might want to set up a home gym is to start small, with little items and slowly build. Buy a yoga mat and a set a light dumbbells, then pick up a full sized mirror at a yard sale. If you’re dedicated, you could probably even score everything you need at a yard sale for super cheap!
This is where I do my little weight or yoga routine. This mirror is a great workout companion because I can see what i’m doing and compare it to the workout dvd to make sure i’m on the right track. Oh and by the way, that large weight is not mine, the little ones in the back are more my speed.
Yes, you read that correctly. I said manual treadmill. I was too cheap to shell out $900+ for a huge treadmill, so I figured this will work for now.
*Are you a gym person or would you rather workout at home? *
I like to do a range of things – play badminton with my friends, Zumba classes, trips to the gym…unfortunately I seem to be lacking in all of them lately! haha. Your little set up looks great, I really must remember to take my free weights back to school wioth me this week!