Looking to build a gym for cardio training at home? The first thing you will need is space. You can either repurpose space in your home into a home gym or create a new space outside. For instance, you can get home building services to build an accessory dwelling unit that you can then turn into a gym, or they can refinish your basement and turn it into a gym. If it’s an outdoor unit, you will probably need roofing services and a window and door company to ensure the place is secure. Once you have figured the space out, you may want to get different contractors to help you set up the space nicely.
It’s important to get all the help you need from the right people. For instance, you will need a residential electrician to wire your gym and ensure you have the power points to connect your equipment. They can also ensure that your gym is connected to the home generator. You’ll probably need custom cabinets for storage as well and someone who specializes in epoxy floor coatings to ensure you have somewhere nice to step on. Lastly, you will also need heating and air conditioning in the gym. For you to exercise efficiently, you need the gym to be comfortable. If it’s not properly conditioned, it will be difficult to work out, and you can end up with mold and mildew in there.
Things You Need to Know About Cardio Training at Home
To figure out how to go about building the best gym for cardio training at home, you may need to first understand what cardio training is all about. That way, you will know the type of setup needed for you to train effectively at home. Cardio training is one of the most indisputably healthy activities you can do. By doing cardio exercises, you basically challenge and strengthen your cardiovascular system. The exercises put the system’s capacity to take in oxygen and pump blood to the working muscles. They also help to clear carbon dioxide and various other wastes from your system. Apart from that, your heart will also become more efficient at pumping blood. This means you will end up with a slower resting heart rate, which reduces stress on your most important muscle.
So how do you go about cardio training at home? Well, cardio exercises include anything that raises your breathing rate and your heart rate; the end goal is to improve the function of your lungs, heart, and circulatory system. Standard cardio workouts include running, stair climbing, and running. This means you have to build your cardio workout gym around these exercises. Other cardio exercises include shoveling snow, shooting hoops, and kickboxing. The truth is your cardio options are almost limitless. All you should do is keep the intensity high enough to challenge your lungs and heart. The cardio exercises you do should involve large muscle groups of the trunk and legs. You will find that muscles like the calves and biceps don’t really create a big enough oxygen demand to significantly tax the cardiovascular system.
Equipment Needed for a Home Cardio Gym
Once you manage to get a space to set up your gym, the next thing would be to look for the most important pieces of workout equipment. Here are some that your gym should pack:
Treadmill
The most important piece of equipment in most cardio training gyms is a treadmill. When most people think of cardio training at home, running is one of the first things that comes to mind. And no other piece of equipment is better for running than a treadmill. A treadmill is a lot easier on your joints compared to asphalt. Weather conditions can also limit the feasibility of running outdoors. Fortunately, with a treadmill, you can run whenever you want in a controlled environment. As mentioned before, you need to ensure that the heating and cooling are on point in your gym.
The most common reason why people stay away from treadmills is they feel they may not be able to do exercises that challenge them enough. However, that is far from the truth. Treadmills come with several inclines and declines that are customizable to simulate different road conditions.
Elliptical
The best thing about cardio is that you are not limited to running only. There are several ways to get your heart rate up. This is where machines like the elliptical come in. Like the treadmill, an elliptical is quite kind to your knees. It also offers several other advantages. These machines come with features like heart rate monitoring and time tracking. Apart from that, you also get a backlit display that makes it easy to adjust your workouts accordingly. Apart from giving you a run for your money as far as cardio is concerned, an elliptical also targets body fat. It also works out your lower and upper body, burning a lot of calories in the process. Experts also suggest that an elliptical can help with balance.
Exercise Bike
It can be quite difficult to go bike riding when the weather is a bit harsh. Unfortunately, this does happen more often than not. You can also go for long periods in bad weather. For instance, during the freezing temperatures of winter, biking might not be such a great idea. Fortunately, you can still get to ride even during those harsh conditions. You just have to do it indoors. There are lots of exercise bikes that you can add to your gym for cardio training at home. You can get some with upright and some with recumbent styles to match whatever level of fitness you currently have. These bikes also feature displays that allow you to see your progress.
Rower
A rower is a great piece of equipment to buy for your cardio gym. It’s not a very popular piece of gym equipment, so you may not have heard a lot about it. However, there are various health benefits associated with it. Rowing can be a great cardio exercise that also works out every muscle group in your body. You will find that rowing machine workouts are full of intensity. However, because there are adjustable levels of resistance, you won’t get a lot of impact stress on your joints. The good thing about this machine is that it’s quite easy to use. The only thing you may need to get used to is the rhythm of the machine.
Lateral Trainer
This is another piece of equipment that you will want in your gym for cardio training at home a lateral trainer. This machine is similar to climbers and ellipticals. However, it has different movements, and it serves a different purpose. As you might guess from the name, a lateral trainer moves your body laterally. By doing this, you will not only get a great cardio workout, but you will also strengthen your thighs, core, and glutes.
Climbers can be a bit unsafe for those who have joint issues. If that’s the case with you, a lateral trainer will be the next best thing. You can also choose a recumbent lateral trainer. This one gives you the ability to work out your lower back without risking a fall. The good thing with such pieces of equipment is they save space. So basically, your gym will be two in one. You can use it primarily for cardio training at home, and you can also use it for strength training. That way, you won’t neglect any part of your body. Strength training, as the name suggests, helps you gain strength and tone your muscles; on the other hand, cardio lowers your risk for heart disease and helps to regulate blood sugar. Did you also know that cardio can help decrease asthma symptoms and improve your sleep?
Jump Rope
This is a great piece of equipment, especially if you are starting out. Jump ropes also work well for those on a budget. This might sound like a silly piece of equipment, considering how cheap and simple it is. However, a jump rope is a very effective tool for exercise. Apart from running, jumping, and sprinting, a jump rope will provide you with a great way to increase your endurance and warm up before you start other exercises.
A jump rope is one of the easiest pieces of equipment to find. You can even order one online. When looking for a jump rope, try to avoid speed ropes and stick to the PVC ones, which are a lot more versatile and easier to use.
Commonly Asked Questions About Building a Gym for Cardio Training at Home
Why Should I Build a Gym for Cardio Training at Home?
There are several reasons why you may want to build a cardio gym at home. You might not have enough time to pass by the gym when you finish work. The good thing with a gym for cardio training at home is that it is open 24/7. This means you will be able to work out at your own pace, and there will be no waiting in line for equipment. Some people generally love working out outside. If you have your own home gym, you can explore all those choices. Additionally, you will literally be steps from your next workout.
Who Can Create a Home Gym?
There’s nothing stopping anyone with the desire to create a gym for cardio training at home from doing it. You just need to work out your budget. If it’s limited, you might have to start with the basics. For instance, you start by getting a mat, resistance bands, and some dumbbells. You can then add to your home gym over time. It’s also possible to start by outfitting your gym fully from the start.
What to Do With a Limited Budget
There are lots of ways to fully outfit your home gym if you don’t have a lot of money. You can jumpstart your journey by starting with inexpensive equipment like a plyo box and jump rope. Another good idea would be to look for multi-functional products like power racks that come with several accessories to give you varied workout options. Lastly, you may want to check out used workout equipment. You can visit a used equipment dealer to find second-hand pieces of equipment that will still be in mind condition. That’s a great way to get high-end workout equipment at half the cost.
How Do I Decide What to Buy With a Limited Space?
Having a small space doesn’t mean that your workouts have to be limited. The best you can do to make do with such a situation is to look for multi-functional products. That way, you can achieve more with a single piece of equipment.
Having a gym for cardio training at home is a great idea. All you need to do is get the right space, prepare it and fill it with equipment. Once you have the right equipment in place, you can start expanding your selection and adding other machines that you think you may need. As long as you have the space and budget for it, you can add different types of cardio exercise equipment, including dumbbells, kettlebells, and plyo-boxes.
The best way to ensure that you get the most out of your gym for cardio training at home would be to set a goal. For instance, you can plan to work out for four days weekly for two months in a row. Once you manage to do this, you can reward yourself with a new piece of equipment. This increases the likelihood of achieving your exercise goals, and over time, it will become a habit that you can’t let go of.