Great home workouts on a budget

Staying active is important for keeping physically fit and supporting your mental well-being. Memberships to gyms and other facilities can be expensive and difficult to build into busy schedules. Having an easy way to exercise at home gives you the accessibility and flexibility to work out whenever you have the time. Creating your own home workout space will help you save time and money in the long run and make it more convenient for you to meet your fitness goals. 

Here’s a list of what you’ll need to workout effectively at home on a budget. Use these tips as a starting point to customize your home workout space to meet your specific exercise goals and needs.

Stretching and recovery

It is essential to start your workouts with a warmup which can include dynamic stretching and end your workouts with static stretching to warm up your muscles and prevent injuries. 

Your stretching station should include a yoga mat (or any soft surface) and a foam roller. You may also choose to include yoga blocks or a yoga strap for use in mobility exercises. If you don’t have yoga blocks or a strap already, you can find alternatives lying around the house – such as textbooks or a towel.

Cardio 

A cardio workout is a great way to maintain a healthy weight, support heart health, improve lung capacity and boost energy. 

While a cardio machine such as a treadmill, elliptical or exercise bike would make a great addition to any home gym, there are many budget-friendly alternatives. A jumping rope or step bench are both cost-effective pieces of cardio equipment to get your heart pumping. Many cardio exercises can also be done equipment-free, such as jumping jacks, walking lunges or burpees. If the weather’s nice, you can take your cardio outside by going for a walk, run or bike ride. Getting fresh air and sunshine will add bonus feel-good benefits to your workout. If you are not ready to commit to a new piece of equipment, do the environment and your wallet a favour and look for a second hand option. You’re likely to find lots of options that are in practically new condition!

Strength training 

Strength training can help build muscle, promote better bone density, improve flexibility and keep weight in check. The strength training section of your home gym will look different depending on your fitness goals, but you don’t need expensive equipment to reap the health benefits. In fact, strength training exercises using your own body weight can be incredibly effective when done regularly. 

Resistance bands are a budget-friendly addition to a home gym and can be used to target and tone specific muscle groups. If you’re ready to add more weight to your strength training exercises, look for a set of free weights or dumbbells. A great alternative to weight and dumbbells can be anything from cans of soup to water bottles filled with rice or dry beans can be enough to elevate your home workouts. If you’re looking for an easy kettlebell substitute, fill an empty laundry detergent bottle with water. Not only is this a cost-effective solution, but you can adjust the volume of water to change the weight.

If you are simply adding equipment to your home, you probably do not need to let your insurance company know. However, if you are investing in expensive equipment, planning to train people in your home, or undertaking a renovation to build your home gym, you should call your broker to learn about what coverage you need.

Your home is more than where you live, it can also be your gym, your office, your school and your safe place – so you want to protect it with a good insurance policy. If you have questions about your home insurance coverage or would like to get a quote, contact an Orbit insurance broker today!