Frugal living peeps, gym memberships are a waste. Yes, a waste. Unless you are a serious gym rat or an athlete, a gym membership is a drain on your budget. Be honest, do you go weekly? Even in bad weather?
Cancel the membership. Instead, build yourself a home gym. No, a home gym doesn’t require thousands of dollars or construction. Just a corner in your basement, bedroom or family room, plus these few things will get you started with a reasonable home gym you will actually use. Remember, health is wealth.
A sensible treadmill
Walking and light jogging is an excellent way to get your heart rate up and sweat in a short amount of time. Even 20 minutes daily will have a positive impact on your health. Don’t spend a ton on pro focus treadmills with features you won’t use. You just need to be able to walk safely on a smooth, even surface. This selection of treadmills is cheap, functional, and easy to assemble.
SereneLife Folding Treadmill – this one folds and offers an incline feature for under $300.
Under Desk Treadmill – this is a flat under desk model that requires no assembly for under $300. I have this one. I keep it in my home office. Sometimes when I take calls, I hop on and get in a good walk while I talk.
An inexpensive bike
A basic stationary cycle works well for an easy cardio workout while watching Netflix or taking remote meetings at home. This selection trims out unneeded features to keep the price down.
PYHIGH Stationary Exercise Bike – this bike features a basic LCD monitor and is relatively quiet for under $200. It’s sturdy enough to support up to 300 lbs. I have this bike set up in my basement. I have a small tv with an Amazon Fire Stick attached and ride while I catch up on my Netflix watchlist.
Sunny Health & Fitness Essential Recumbent Exercise Bike – this recumbent style bike offers comfort at a budget price, under $220.
Yoga mat
Gaiam Essentials Premium Yoga Mat – a good yoga mat is for more than yoga. Multiple types of floor exercises need a good mat. Stream your favorite exercise routines and keep fit.
A set of basic weights
Mix up your treadmill walks and bike rides with a set of basic weights. A light set of weights is also great for floor workouts for a bit of resistance for toning.
Adjustable Ankle Weights – these adjustable weights can be changed from very light at 1.5 lb to a heavier weight of 10 lbs. I love these! For $20 I have a flexible weight solution I can use for floor exercises and on my bike or treadmill.
A reliable scale
How else will you keep track of your progress, or lack of it, without a good scale? An easy to read, reliable scale is an essential part of your home gym kit.
Etekcity Digital Bathroom Scale – for under $20 this sleek, easy to use and read scale is a home gym essential.
These items make up the basics of a useable home workout solution that should fit into a small space. You can outfit your home gym on a budget of under $500, saving on wasted gym membership fees.