We have ALL been impacted in some way by restrictions and/or lockdowns, and it is in times of dis-ease and uncertainty that we need to prioritise more than ever our mental and physical health.

With gyms and fitness centres being closed indefinitely it means we need to get creative with what we have – at home!

Don’t feel disheartened if you don’t have a sweet home gym set up with all the bells and whistles! You really don’t need a lot to get a sweat on at home – the most important thing you need, but are often lacking is drive, and that’s where my 14 Day Fitness Challenge comes in! Whether you are in lock down, self-isolation or 2 weeks quarantine – you can benefit from taking on this two week challenge!

Here are my top 4 items of equipment to try and have on hand and HOW to use them.

If you’ve got these, you’ve got a gym!

1. Your body!

This one may or may not be an obvious one, but your body is an amazing vehicle and we can do SO much with it! Especially so if you are miss your cardio classes or machines at the gym. Your body is the perfect cardio machine!

Think:

Squats
Push ups
Burpees
Walking
Running
Cycling
Hiking
Skipping

2. Mat

It sounds simple and you may be wondering how is mat going to help create a home gym? Mats create a workout space. They’re a symbol for ‘I’m getting shit done’. If you don’t have a designated home gym laying down a mat creates one. Now you can always just use a towel, but whether it be push ups on your knees, burpees, crunches, yoga or any floor movements, having a mat (and a good quality one) really helps!

3. Weight of some sort – be it one kettlebell, one dumbbell, a pair of dumbells

You don’t need to own a complete rack of dumbbells or have one of every type of weighted equipment. If you invest in just one piece you are winning! My preference would be a pair of dumbbells – this makes it easy to use both at once, but even just ONE will do the trick. The same goes for a set of kettlebells but one is just as good!

If you’re looking to buy a KB or DB go for a moderate weight. You don’t want to get one that you will struggle to lift through a range of movements, but also want to avoid anything too light. For example 2kg might be too light for you but 6kg too heavy for 5kg would be perfect! For me, I’d love a pair of 10kg DB’s!

And hey, if you can’t beg, borrow or steal a DB or KB given the current crisis – improvise, fill up 2 x 2L milk bottles and these will do the trick!

The list of exercises you can do with either 1 or a pair of KB’s or DB’s has no limits! Here are a few of my faves”

KB swings
Sumo squats
Deadlifts
Thrusters
Walking lunges

4. Step or box

Make it a milk crate, esky, or legit gym box. Having a step/box creates unlimited possibilities for both strength and cardio exercises:

Step ups
Box jumps
Tricep dips
Seated push presses
Bunny hop overs
Incline push ups
Bench presses

Whether you have ONE, ALL or NONE of the above you can take on my 14 Day Fitness Challenge – designed specifically for at home workouts!

It is 14 days:

Daily bite size, effective and achievable mood and immunity boosting home workouts!
Daily challenges
Sanity saving tips covering nutrition, mindset & sleep
Access to the exclusive online STRIVE community
+ more!

Your guide to keeping mentally & physically healthy & happy when self-isolating or social distancing and you can start anytime, anywhere for less than $1.50/day!

Want a sneaky discount? Click here to join the STRIVE Squad and take on the 14 Day Challenge!

Other great, affordable, more easily accessible and versatile items include resistance bands, fit balls and skipping ropes. Again you don’t need all of this equipment to have a sweet home gym - the three items mentioned are well and truly ample, but it does depend on your fitness and training goals and style!

At the end of the day it really doesn’t matter what equipment you do or don’t have at home, it comes down to your daily discipline and drive - that’s essentially what is going to make your workout happen or not!

What does your home gym set up look like? I’d love to see it regardless of how much of a ‘gym’ it looks like!

Happy training team!

Brooke x

FOUR PIECES OF EQUIPMENT TO MAKE A KICK-ASS HOME GYM