10 Equipment Every Athlete Should Own

Athletes need to be at the top of their game every single day and sometimes, going to the gym gets impossible. There are many people who prefer to exercise at home by creating their own personal space where they feel more comfortable and relaxed.

Having a home gym or a space that you feel more pumped and motivated to exercise is important, not only is it good for your own personal growth but it also saves you from extra monthly expenses for your gym membership. Not only can it be a waste of money but also a waste of point. Why drive for an hour through heavy traffic in any Australian city when you can walk a few steps out of your room and into your own workout studio with your own equipment and workout clothes as ethical activewear in Australia has. And if these weren’t enough pros to paint a relatable scenario, you get to pick your own exercise music and nothing can beat that.

Whether you have a specially designed home gym and studio or just a simple yoga mat at the corner of your room, having your own exercise gear can be of great help in staying motivated and being consistent. Here is a list of 10 types of equipment every Athlete should own: 

1. Kettlebells

Kettlebell is an all-rounder. It allows you to get a ton of workout even in limited space very efficiently. Kettlebell exercises mostly involve core strengthening as the build of the kettlebells creates a need for counterbalance which one does with one’s body. This not only strengthens your core but also helps you in balancing your body better, be flexible and light on your feet.

Kettlebells do seem scary at first and can be hard to master since they are harder to control and have their center of gravity about 8 inches away from the handle grip but once you put your body through countless hours of workout and understand body mechanics, you’ll be unstoppable.

Kettlebells are very small and can be easily transported from one place to another. Since it doesn’t take a lot of space, it is the equipment you exercise with rather than exercise on and can easily be used in small spaces.

1. Yoga Mat

Yoga is an art that was introduced thousands of years ago which is not meant for toning your muscles or burning any number of calories but it is, in fact, a combination of stretch exercises, meditation, and deep breathing. Yoga mats have made doing yoga easier especially since the biggest advantage it can provide is comfort. Whether you are doing yoga inside or outside in your garden, a yoga mat not only helps the surface be less painful but also keeps the body warm by not letting the heat flow pass on to the floor or the ground below you. The softness of a yoga mat also protects you from any injury especially during transition poses where there is an increased chance that you might fall.

The biggest advantage that a yoga mat can give you, by being firm and soft at the same time, is to improve your balance. There are a lot of tricky poses one needs to get into and it’s of no help if the surface is wobbly and uncomfortable. Not only does it break your concentration but it’s also quite frustrating.

1. Power Cage

A power cage or a power rack is specifically meant for power weight training allowing no movement restrictions. Power racks allow you to train on your own in a rather safe environment and give you the freedom to adjust safety pins depending on the range of your motion. Many athletes use power racks as squat racks and they are great for heavy partials that allow you to work on your strength building and be able to test heavyweights than you are used to.

The power rack is an elegant and effective machine mainly because of its simplicity in functionality and versatility.

1. Battle Ropes

We all know the classic cardio routines for calorie burning like jumping, running, and skipping but they aren’t the only ones that can make your cardio fun and effective. Battle ropes do justice to the name given to them. They are thick, long and heavy. Swinging a battle rope for ten minutes alone burns 112 calories easily. When ropes are used in HIIT (heavy intensity interval training) the results are even more satisfying.

Many exercises target your core muscles but some groups are usually left even in those routines. Battle ropes not only target the main muscles but also the ones that can accidentally be left in a routine. The continuous waving slams of the rope give your muscles the right kind of workout they need. You can also change the grip on the rope and the frequency of the waves to get a more intense workout. Check out here for other amazing battle ropes workouts.

1. Heavy Bag

If you’re tired of your normal cardio routine and want to spice things up a little, a heavy bag is just what you need. It’s a great alternative for getting rid of heavy fat with explosive speed and intense power. Not only is it great for intense power-filled cardio it can also be pretty good for blowing off some steam!

1. Suspension Kit

Many gyms across the globe stock suspension kits that are great (and necessary) for ultimate suspension bodyweight training. This gives you a ton of floor space and the only thing providing resistance against you would be your own body.

1. Weighted Vest

A weighted vest challenges you by increasing your own body weight. It is very comfortable to wear and very less bulky. You can increase the load as per your preference. Your body learns to adapt to the added stress and after repeated training sessions, helps your breathing and muscle strength.

1. Speed Rope

A speed rope is versatile training equipment whether you’re training casually or for MMA fighting. It’s also great for cardio and a little intense warm-up before you try out any different set of exercises.

1. Stationary Bike

Now you don’t have to miss a day of good leg and cardio workout if the weather isn’t going your way. If you’re cooped up indoors, a stationary bike can be a perfect companion. The spin bike provides a lot of lower-body resistance and can be a great source of a leg workout. During the exercise, keep your back positioned perfectly and let the calories burn.

1. Adjustable Dumbbells

This set of dumbbells provides a nifty way of training and the biggest advantage is its size and weight adjustment. These dumbbells are ultra-compact, smart and can fit in a small space (easily portable as well). The weights on the dumbbells can be easily adjusted starting from 5 pounds and going up to 52.

Conclusion

Getting in a nice workout at your very own home gym is something everyone should try out once in a while. With only a few types of equipment (that won’t cost you an arm and a leg) you can very easily make your own exercise studio or space where you feel comfortable and at ease. No need to drive to the gym anymore or be stuck in traffic for hours. Your work out just got way more interesting, fun and easy!

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