All of us would prefer to be in better shape, but in today’s hectic world, it isn’t always easy to find the time to do so. It is much easier to get the necessary exercise and to stay in shape when the equipment you need to is in your home. But with so many options for gym equipment out there, it can be hard to know where to begin. The following are the most essential pieces of gym equipment for any home gym setup.
Adjustable Dumbbells
No home gym is really complete without a set of adjustable dumbbells. Whether you are going to be trying to build or maintain your muscle growth, a set of adjustable dumbbells will see you through. Not only are dumbbells an already versatile piece of equipment, by adjusting the weight, you can increase or decrease the difficulty and, therefore, effectiveness, of your workout routine.
Of all the most common pieces of gym equipment found in the home, dumbbells produce the most reliable and consistent improvements. The nature of dumbbell exercises means that they require a significant amount of effort from muscle fibers to maintain stability. A good set of adjustable dumbbells is a worthwhile purchase for any serious bodybuilder.
Olympic Barbell Set
Much like the dumbbells, a barbell will put the same kind of strain (a good kind) on your body and muscles as dumbbells. The barbell is essentially a single long dumbbell, and most of the exercises done with the barbell are two-armed variants on dumbbell exercises. A barbell set is a worthwhile addition to any home gym setup, but if you already have dumbbells, and there are other pieces of equipment you are missing, you might want to invest in another piece of equipment first.
Adjustable Bench
An adjustable bench is one of the larger pieces of equipment regularly seen in home gyms. Not everyone will have room for this kind of equipment in their home, but if you do, investing in an adjustable bench will allow you to take your bodybuilding routine to the next level. Barbells and dumbbells are excellent for working out a variety of muscle groups, an adjustable bench will help you to target many of the rest.
Among the effective bodybuilding exercises that you can do with an adjustable bench are inclined bench presses, leg extensions and curls, incline curls, and seated dumbbell shoulder presses, and a range of other exercises. Some models include a pulldown bar attachment which further expands the versatility of the adjustable bench.
Bowflex Max Trainer
The above equipment, when taken together, comprises a great home gym setup. With the Bowflex Max Trainer, you can work out the same muscle groups using just one all-in-one machine. If you only have limited funds to put together your home gym, and you can only afford to invest in one piece of equipment, it should be the Bowflex Max Trainer; check out this trainer review to find out more about how the Bowflex can revolutionize your workout.
Adjustable Squat Rack
As your bodybuilding gets underway and you start to notice the results, you will find that the exercises that carried you through those early stages just aren’t cutting it anymore. When this happens, it’s time to switch things up a bit. For example, dumbbell squats are great at first, but many bodybuilders find that they hit their limit relatively quickly with these exercises.
Adding an adjustable squat rack to your arsenal further opens up the range of exercises that are available to you. A squat rack makes it possible to undertake some heavier exercises; they also include safety bars which prevent the bar from dropping below a certain level should you fail to lift it and allow you to spot for yourself.
Dip Station
If you want to develop the strength and power of your chest muscles and triceps, the dip station is by far the best piece of equipment for doing so. As you develop your muscles through your workouts and begin to look for more challenging exercises, the dip station will help you get there. The dip station might not be much help at first, but once you are able to more easily lift your entire weight, the dip station can make a huge difference to your results.
Standing Calf Raise Machine
When you are just beginning your bodybuilding journey, you may well get by with doing simple one-legged dumbbell calf raises and barbell calf raises. However, if you want to really develop your calves as much as possible, you will need to upgrade to a standing calf raise machine. The calf raise machine is generally loaded with free weights, allowing you to set the load depending on your current abilities.
Putting together a gum in your own home is the ultimate way of ensuring that you get a good workout whenever you need it. When you are able to workout at home, it is much easier to motivate yourself to do so.
