Forget the Gym: How to Make Your Own at Home

For those of you who know me and the way I train, I never set foot in a gym. Having never been a fan of corporate membership policies or waiting to use a machine, I usually train my clients and myself with just a handful of different types of tools. In fact, when I was just starting out with my business I trained clients at their home with only the equipment I could fit in the trunk of my car. I’m a big proponent of getting the best workout for my time and money, and recently a few clients of mine have asked me for advice on how to set up their own gym at home. So I thought I’d share my insight with all of you on how to build your own cost-effective gym and still get into the best shape of your life!
All you need is a 6’ x 6’ space - big enough to spread out on the floor and with a ceiling high enough you can jump and reach up without touching the ceiling, although if you do have a low ceiling the jumping thing can always be swapped out for something else. Depending on your budget, you can build your gym for...

...Under $40: Buy a pair of adjustable dumbbells, and that’s it! Use carpet or a rug in place of a mat, and perform bodyweight and dumbbell exercises (there are literally thousands of them).

...Under $100: Opt for adjustable dumbbells, an exercise mat if you’ll be on a hard surface, a stability ball (make sure you get the correct size for your height), and an exercise band with handles that you can travel with. Choose a band with a resistance tough enough to challenge you, but not so tough that you can’t perform any basic exercise with it. Do an Amazon search for JC bands and you’ll be off to a good start.

...Under $200: Go with all of the above, and add a BOSU ball. A BOSU (which stands for Both Sides Up) is a dome-shaped platform that you can perform hundreds of exercises on to challenge your balance and core. Simply search BOSU on YouTube and after checking out all the amazing things you can do, you’ll be hooked! You can find one locally at Sports Authority.

...Under $400: Add a TRX to the mix (trxtraining.com). With this super-effective training tool, you use your own body resistance to make each exercise either more or less challenging. Originally designed by and for Navy SEALS, the TRX has hit the masses and is known for being a kick-butt training device. It even comes with an exercise guide to get you started, and you can always purchase a door anchor (for another $25) so you’re handy TRX can travel with you.

...And Beyond: If you’re devoting an entire room to exercise, you’ll want to pick one cardio machine you know you’ll spend time on (i.e.: you won’t use it as a clothes line). My pick is a quality treadmill – it doesn’t need to be expensive, but make sure it has good shock absorption if you’re an avid runner. Quite a few of my clients have chosen the elliptical because it’s a good low-impact cardio choice, so if you have knee or joint pain you may want to invest in one. Another good low-impact option is a bike, either upright or recumbent depending on your preference.

With all that said, the best investment you can make is a quality pair of workout shoes. Go to a local shoe store that analyzes your gait and will know how to fit your foot correctly. Many knee and foot injuries I see originate from wearing poor (and very old) shoes. Keep them clean and put good insoles in them to get maximum wear out of each pair.