We’re at the tail-end of Covid-19 pandemic (hopefully), and the number of businesses hit badly are numerous. And perhaps gyms have taken one of the biggest hits. Statistics from IHRSA indicate that 15% of health clubs, gyms and fitness studios have closed down permanently through the end of the 3rd quarter in 2020, they further guesstimate that it could increase to 25% by the end of 2020.
Related: See the latest data with our post on 69 Key Personal Training Statistics.
We’ve seen the fitness industry pivot and figure out ways to reinvent itself. Though gyms are starting to open up, many people don’t want to go back. A recent survey indicated that 59% of Americans don’t plan on renewing their gym membership when Covid is over.
Instead, many are turning to home fitness, online classes via Zoom, or flexible gym memberships like Classpass, where you can book locally, or online classes.
With Covid hitting a lot of people hard, many have had to cut back on some expenses. And working out at home does save people a lot of money, with some gym memberships at $100+ a month, or personal trainers at $60+ an hour.
And sometimes it isn’t about the money, some people prefer the convenience and environment of working out at home. Just look at Peloton, you’ll need to spend a minimum of $2000 on the bike, then another $40 a month for their membership. Yet their stock has skyrocketed them to a $31 billion dollar valuation (much in thanks to Covid):
But you don’t need to spend $2000 on a bike. And in this post, we’ll show you the best home gym equipment under $100.
We know you need progressive overload to improve your body composition, so it’s going to be hard to build (but not impossible) to build a great body with 5 pound dumbbells. So I’d say the best bang for buck is:
Doorway Pull-Up Bar – The Best Bang for Buck
Many people can’t even do more than a few pull-ups, and it’s even harder for your average woman. So it’s the perfect tool to build strength, and you can get pretty close to failure. And bonus, you can also most for tricep dips and pushups.
One of the best things about this lovely piece of gym equipment is that it won’t take much space and fits right in your doorway. They’re available on Amazon for under $25.
Resistance Bands – Best for Travel, and Arguably Best All-Around
There are a variety of different types of fitness bands, but I would recommend two. Bands with a set of handles (usually tubed bands), and a set of monster bands. Between both you should have a compact variety that can give you a lot of resistance.
Other home gym considerations
YOGA MAT, yes!! You heard that right. Unlike the other gym equipment, a yoga mat is not precisely a workout product, but it is a significant home fitness product to buy as it does add value to our life. Because before exercising, the essential thing is stretching. If we do not try enough, we can’t do the exercise at its best.
Mats are also helpful in exercising outdoors, allowing you to do push ups, planks, and lunges without fear of tripping over sticks or stones. They are portable, and we can carry them along anywhere easily. They do not take much space.
Stretching makes my muscles warm up, lowering your chance of injuries during the exercise. Stretching afterwards helps to calm and loosen the muscles, reducing soreness the following day. Therefore, it is a good call for me, and it is available for $20 only, so I am going to go for it.
Speed Jump Rope
SPEED JUMP, they are so crazy and fun. They are best for cardio and build up my stamina. And the other important reason to get one is they are cheaper and within this budget. All these things make it best for my home fitness routine. They are also portable, and they occupy very little space, so it is not a problem to make an extra room for them. They can adjust anywhere I would throw them, okay not throw. That is not what we do with our equipment. Moreover, when I checked the price, they are available for $20 only. Therefore, I decided to get one for myself.
Jumping rope is a full-body exercise that consumes a lot of calories in a limited amount of time. Jumping rope can also burn more than ten calories per minute for an average-sized human.
Kettlebell
The other badass option of gym equipment that I found was to get a kettlebell. Why kettlebell? I mean, why not, because we can do multiple exercises using the kettlebell. We can do squats, pushups, swings, and many more options just using one item. So, I don’t see any downsides to a kettlebell. It is also mobile, can take it anywhere I want to, and does not require much space. So, kettlebell is one I am going to get whatever!
Like dumbbells and medicine balls, Kettlebells would allow me to lift my weight during exercises like squats, lunges, and shoulder presses. Still, they can offer a solid cardiovascular workout when used to do swinging activities.
They are available in different weights, and obviously, the cost depends on the weight, but the one I planned to buy would cost me $30, so I do not see a point in not having one.
I am new to home fitness and get gym equipment for myself, and so with kettlebells, I decided to start with this 10-pounder. According to one report on how hard you practice; you can burn up to 20 calories per minute.
It is a fun and simple way to tone your body by lifting, pressing, and strengthening.
