Training Equipment!

A question I get asked a lot mainly from women who feel uncomfortable in the gym is. “What can I do at home to workout? I don’t like gyms”. I was self conscious at first as well. So, even though I feel like saying once you start you won’t feel uncomfortable, that rarely works.  In order to build people’s confidence before they are ready to make the gym membership commitment. These are my preferred home “Training Equipment” buy’s. In no specific order.

1) Jump Rope- Jump Ropes are amazing because they boost your heart rate and if you are a runner it really helps improve your stamina! 20 mins with a rope feels like an hour of cardio. It’s quick efficient and portable.

2) Free Weights (varying weights)- You can cover a lot with a good set of free weights. I suggest 3 pairs light, medium and heavy. You want lighter weights for upper body exercises like shoulders and rotaters and delts. medium for biceps, triceps, and ab twist. And your legs have some of the biggest muscles in your body. So, I always like to add weight to any lower body exercise. Feel the burn!! Not pain!

3) Resistance Bands- If you feel uncomfortable with weights then try resistance bands. you can work almost every body part with resistance bands. (squat presses, Flies, abs, Sumo walks). Just to name a few. And like a jump rope they are easy to travel with. Disclaimer- I had a client travel with the resistance bands on a business trip and he put them in his carry on bag. He was stopped by airport security because they were viewed as a weapon. So put it into your checked bag!

 If you are a more intense workout person short on time or just not a fan of the gym but want some intensity and a kick but workout here are some intermediate advanced suggestions. 

4) TRX – is an awesome piece of equipment that targets every muscle group and that you can adapt to where you are in your fitness journey. You can attach it to a tree at a park or to a door hinge at home. You can get an amazing workout in about 40 minutes with this piece of wonder equipment. 

I was lucky enough to be able to get certified in TRX by one if their top instructors in NYC and love their philosophy on wellness and fitness. 

5) Battle Ropes- If you have access to a lot of space like a park then these are so much fun! They are great to use with a partner so while one is using them for a certain amount of time the other person can be doing squats, planks, pushups or lunges, then alternate.

6) Kettle ells- A lot of people don’t like kettle ells because they are afraid of injuring themselves. I definitely suggest getting instructions in the use of KB before getting a pair. Again you can hit almost every muscle group with KB.

Last but certainly not least is……..

FOAM ROLLER! Stretching and keeping your muscles healthy is so vitally important to a healthy exercise regime. I have been injured a few times and muscle recover is just as important as the workout it self. So, don’t neglect it, because trust me it will turn around and bite your in the butt! (When foam rolling do not roll over your joints! For example you shouldn’t roll over the back of the knee or the knee itself. So be mindful of this, when using this piece of equipment).

Happy, Healthy, Fit Life!