4 essential pieces of equipment to start a home gym
If you're planning to work out at home but don't know where to start, a professional personal trainer gives advice on what you need.
702 and CapeTalk's Africa Melane speaks to personal trainer Matthew Cornish about the growing popularity of home gyms and how you can get started.
Listen below:
Increasingly, people are buying fitness equipment to work out at home.
The increase in popularity of home gyms started during the COVID-19 pandemic when people couldn't access the gym.
Some people prefer a home gym, feeling more comfortable exercising in their own space.
"With more people working remotely, fewer people want to be leaving the house to commute to the gym, sit in a lot of traffic and wait around for equipment at commercial gyms. So, they'd rather take their money, invest in equipment and access it at any time during their daily routine."
- Matthew Cornish, personal trainer
Cornish says you don't need all the expensive equipment at home for an effective fitness routine.
"It's all in how you do the workout, how you maintain that movement continuously."
- Matthew Cornish, personal trainer
If you're short on time and want a full-body workout, Cornish recommends investing in the following equipment:
- A yoga mat - to avoid working out directly on the floor.
- Resistance bands - they come in different options; one for your warm-up, another for the main workout and the other for flexibility and stretching.
- Foam rollers - muscle recovery.
- A dumbbell set or a yoga ball.
With this equipment, exercise options are 'limitless' and you can use them to match your fitness level.
"The most important thing is getting started and making sure the equipment is durable. You don't need the most expensive items... once you're able to increase your budget, you can invest in more equipment."
- Matthew Cornish, personal trainer
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the conversation.