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Compact gym equipment that’ll keep you working out at home

Will Blesch
By

Many gyms across the country remain closed, and even those that have reopened aren’t quite back at pre-pandemic levels in terms of membership. Whether you usually hit the gym twice a week or twice a year, you’ve likely gotten used to working out at home. Home gyms are more convenient and often less expensive than traditional gyms, so you may be considering making your home workout space a little more permanent.

Fitting all your equipment in a small space can be challenging. Without the space for big exercise bikes or treadmills, you’ll need to invest in compact gym equipment. These exercise devices deliver a powerful workout despite their smaller size, so you can stay on track to reach your fitness goals without leaving the house.

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Young woman riding stationary bike

The Exerpeutic folding magnetic upright bike is great for small spaces

If you don’t have a lot of space, you probably assume big cardio equipment like exercise bikes aren’t a possibility. That’s not quite the case, especially with the Exerpeutic folding magnetic upright bike. This collapsible bike is super sturdy and can accommodate a weight of up to three hundred pounds and heights between 5’3″ to 6’1″. In addition to its ability to fold, it has wheels to make transportation easier.

This bike also features a magnetic system with eight different levels of resistance so you can adjust the difficulty to match your workout. Moreover, it features a ‘high torque’ three-piece crank system, high pulse monitoring, and double drive transmission. Basically, every feature is adjustable to create the perfect workout session.

Finally, when unfolded, the bike measures 31 X 19 X 46 inches, making it ideal for people with limited space.

Use the Wonder Core for a total body workout

If you’re looking for a piece of compact gym equipment that will truly provide a complete, total body workout, you’ve found it in The Wonder Core. With one piece of equipment, you can complete crunches, tricep dips, planks, and countless other workouts. Plus, it has adjustable resistance levels, allowing you to increase your workout’s difficulty whenever you want.

The Wonder Core comes in at 20.5 X 21.6 X 15 inches, so finding storage space for this compact piece of gym equipment should be no problem at all. There’s no assembly required when you purchase it, so you can start your workout as soon as it’s out of the box.

Unfortunately, the piece doesn’t adjust to the size of the person using it, so it may not quite support you where you need it. However, its one-size-fits-all design has been pretty successful, as reviewers in a range of ages and sizes give the product high acclaim.

Young woman jogging on treadmill

Hop on the Sunny Health SF-T7603 Electric Treadmill to go for a jog

Like stationary bikes, treadmills are often bulky, heavy pieces of cardio equipment that aren’t ideal for snug spaces. However, you can fit in a jog right in your living room with the SF-T7603 treadmill. Its total size is 62 X 27 X 47 inches when open, so it can fit easily in tight spaces.

Like all your favorite treadmills, this option has features that manage your speed and monitor your pulse. Additionally, the electric treadmill comes with nine pre-programmed exercise routines and three levels of incline. With this treadmill, you get all of the benefits of a home cardio workout without sacrificing floor space. The best part is that you can simply fold it up when you’re finished working out. Then, you can put it away in a small storage closet or just leave it folded up at the back of the room.

Because of its lightweight design, it isn’t a very inclusive piece of equipment. It only accommodates individuals who weigh up to 220 pounds.

Keep on working out at home

If you’re weighing the pros and cons of heading back to the local gym, keep in mind that you can reap all the benefits of your exercise routine right from the comfort of your own home. While it’s always nice to have a dedicated space for it, it’s not a must. All three pieces of compact gym discussed above are small and portable but also functional enough to accommodate your exercise regimen. Embrace the home gym movement and set up your workout space in your home, regardless of its size.

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How much time daily should a busy professional dedicate to working out?
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Working full-time doesn't leave much room in your life for a daily workout, but you can still make the most of your busy schedule to be healthy. You can meet the recommended daily or weekly exercise time even with a hectic calendar by setting aside a designated exercise time. A weekly cycling class or a nightly guided aerobics workout are just some of the many enjoyable workout programs you can take for a healthier you.
How much time should I spend working out every week?
The average adult needs at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity a week. While that may seem like a lot to you, if you can squeeze in 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week, you’ll achieve the same effect. According to the American Heart Association, mix both moderate and vigorous activity throughout the week in as much time as possible with your busy schedule, for the best results.

Moderate aerobic activity includes walking, jogging, gentle yoga, cleaning, biking leisurely, dancing, and water aerobics. Other household chores like gardening and mowing the lawn also count toward your weekly 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity. It’s a win-win situation when you clean and exercise at the same time, so you shouldn't feel bad about not doing traditional exercises like taking a walk or doing lunges.

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Again, yoga is not just a physical workout, but a full body and mind exercise that keeps the back and joints healthy, improves overall posture, and strengthens muscles and balance. In order to perform some of these poses, equipment is required, such as blankets, straps, mats, and even chairs. To use these props and perform yoga poses, dedicated space is needed. Here’s how to create that space at home.

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When you want to get in shape, but you don't want to join a gym, it's time to get busy on planning that private home gym. But what exactly should you buy for it? There are several excellent products you should consider, depending upon your space, budget, and preferences. Come check out a few of our favorites and see what works out for you:

 
The Reversible Big Mat
The popular Reversible Big Mat is the first piece you'll need for your home gym, especially if you plan on doing yoga or other similar types of workouts. Created by Lululemon, the Reversible Big Mat completes your yoga routine by helping you hold your pose without slipping. It's also thick enough to offer relief to your knees and elbows when pressed against hard floors.
Over-sized with a moisture-absorbing top layer, the Reversible Big Mat comes with two sides; one secures the mat to the floor and the other helps your hands and feet grip the mat. Made with a natural rubber base and mildew-preventing antimicrobial elements, this mat is easily cleaned with soap and water and simply hang out to dry. Get it for $80 at Lululemon; available in seven colors.

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