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Building Your Home Gym

29
Apr
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Building Your Home Gym

Building some form of an “at-home gym” (AHG) can help create long-term health & fitness success. Having access and/or a plan at home is an invaluable tool to staying on track. Not only when it’s our only option (insert stay-at-home mandates), but also when we just can’t make it to the gym on any given day.

There are infinite ways to create an AHG, but where do we start? What type of equipment should I get? What’s going to give me the most bang for my buck? What’s going to be something I can use for years to come?

Well, we’ve put together a four-tier list of Bluprint’s best options to create your AHG. Check it out!

NOTE (What ALL Tiers Need): dedicated Space (whether it’s prepared each workout or a mainstay)

Minimalist (Tier 1)

This tier is all about the lowest barrier to entry and equipping your AHG with only the essentials.

  • PVC Pipe (1/2 inch – 5 to 7 ft in length)
  • Foam Roller
  • Lax Ball
  • Loadable Backpack/Duffle Bag

Strength & Conditioning (Tier 2a)

Tier 2a includes everything from tier one plus a few pieces of functional equipment. A pair of dumbbells (IMO) is the most versatile of all strength & conditioning equipment. You can check out loads of movements in the DB exercise library HERE. The KB is also a versatile piece of equipment that takes up minimum space while providing you with another strength & conditioning tool! The pull-up bar is a bonus for working on hanging movements (note: depending on your pull-up bar situation, you may be limited to strict strength movement patterns – be smart).

  • Tier 1 Equipment
  • 2 Dumbbells (S-20/35, Rx-35/50)
  • 1 Kettle Bell (S-20/35, Rx-35/50)
  • 1 Pull-Up Bar

Barbell or Bust (Tier 2b)

Tier 2b includes every from tier one plus a barbell, weights, a squat rack, proper flooring, and a pull-up bar. This tier is for the athlete that 1) has space to use a barbell and 2) prefers a heavier load while working out. Weights should be based on the athlete, but should be enough to be able to do staple strict strength movements (deadlift variations, squat variations, press variations, bent-over rows, etc.).

  • Tier 1 Equipment
  • 1 Barbell (S-15, Rx-35/45)
  • Assorted Weights (preferably rubber & round)
  • Squat Rack
  • Rubber Flooring or Platform
  • 1 Pull-Up Bar

I Love Weights (Tier 3)

This tier combines the equipment from tiers 1, 2a, AND 2b. This one is all about having access to all the weights: barbells, dumbbells, and kettle bells.

  • Tier 1 Equipment
  • 2 Dumbbells (S-20/35, Rx-35/50)
  • 1 Kettle Bell (S-20/35, Rx-35/50)
  • 1 Barbell (S-15, Rx-35/45)
  • Assorted Weights (preferably rubber & round)
  • Squat Rack
  • Rubber Flooring or Platform
  • 1 Pull-Up Bar

The Works (Tier 4)

This is the “I want it all” tier equipped with everything you’d want in a home gym. This takes all the equipment from tiers 1-3 and adds in some exercise staples.

  • Tier 1 Equipment
  • 1 Piece of Cardio Equipment (i.e. Concept 2 Erg, Assault Bike, Concept 2 Ski Erg, etc.)
  • 1 Medicine Ball (S-10/14, Rx-14/20)
  • 1 Box (convertible 20-24-30 inch)
  • 1 Sandbag (loadable to 100 lbs.)
  • 2 Dumbbells (S-20/35, Rx-35/50)
  • 1 Kettle Bell (S-20/35, Rx-35/50)
  • 1 Barbell (S-15, Rx-35/45)
  • Assorted Weights (preferably rubber & round)
  • Squat Rack
  • Rubber Flooring or Platform
  • 1 Pull-Up Bar

Now that you have an idea of what’s going to give you the most bang for your buck, WHERE do I find all of this equipment? Below are some of the most common places to help build your AHG.

Have Fun! – Coach Byron