How To Create a Simple (Yet Impactful!) Home Gym
...plus my 6-month peloton review!
DIY make your own at-home gym
Okay, okay, okay…I think this blog post has been on my “blog posts to write” list since day 1, and it’s fiiiiinalllly here! If you follow along on Insta, you’ll know that fitness is incredibly important to me. Movement is such a gift!
But I also know that as a busy workin’ lady, it can be hard to carve out time to get to a fitness class, drive to the gym, etc. (annnnnd mix in a global pandemic and it has NEVER been harder to get to the gym, am I right?)
why did i decide to invest in a home gym?
Safe to say, with the workin’ + grad schoolin’ + bloggin’ life, my time for the gym was hard to find…so I took matters into my own hands and designed a small-but-mighty home gym of my own! That way I could fit in a workout any time of day with zero commute or planning needed.
Wanna know what happened? I instantly started working out more often because the time-efficient, at-home workouts were much more realistic for my lifestyle. While I don’t always have time for a 60-minute workout class and a drive to the gym, I can almost always find the time for a 15-25 minute workout!
As with most things in life, an all-or-nothing approach to fitness usuuuuallly leaves you with nothing. In my opinion, an intentional 20-minute workout is always always always better than a 0-minute workout, ya feel me? :) And my home gym has become one of my favorite places in the world for this!
My home gym has two distinct phases: PRE-peloton purchase and POST-peloton purchase. In this post, I’ll first outline the basics that I used before investing in my dreeeeam of a bike, and then I’ll share my honest 6-month peloton review so you can see if it’s a good fit for you!
I hope this post empowers you to take your fitness into your own hands and create a small-but-mighty home gym of your own! Let’s do this thang. :)
the basic build your own small-but-mighty home gym kit:
how i use these 6 items:
I use this set of resistance bands to add an extra element to squats, glute workouts, arm exercises, etc. This is a GREAT way to tone + add strength without having to throw around heavy weights. BONUS: these are soooo small and can pack perfectly when you travel and want to work out on the road.
Yoga mat! I absolutely love this specific yoga mat—not only is it eco-friendly and nontoxic, but it has the perfect amount of grip for any style of yoga and is very thick and provides good support. I have had it for over 4 years—I use it almost daily (whether for abs, yoga, workouts, etc.) and it has held up so well. Highly, highly recommend!
Yoga blocks: Not crucial, but incredibly helpful for all my yogis! I delayed buying these foreverrrrr. I always used yoga blocks when I would go to the studio, but didn’t feel the need for them at home. Then I finally got them, and ended up using them at least like once every yoga sesh! Turns out, I do really appreciate having yoga blocks around. Here are the ones I have!
I recommend getting 2-3 sets of dumbbellsI My recommendation is one set of lightweight dumbbells (5-10 lbs.), one medium set (10-12 lbs.), and one heavier set (15-25 lbs.). This will cover alllllllllll of your bases for an at-home workout. You don’t need 8937429873 sets of weight and pieces of equipment to get a good burn! For a general idea of how I use these: I use the light ones for toning, sculpting, etc., I use the medium ones for arms, and then the heavy ones for legs and glutes.
NOTE: as you can see from the links above, prices on weights have skyyyyyy-rocketed since COVID-19, because people are needing to work out at home + buying up alllll the dumbbells.
The ones I tagged above are most similar to the ones I own. However, I also found these ones that are more cost-effective. They are not the metal + rubber dumbbells (which are known for being really high quality), but I just thought they seemed like a good deal + they have a variety of sizes and weights.
Another idea: Typically I would recommend buying 2-3 dumbbells separately, but I think buying a set could actually be worth it since it is a full set, cohesive, and often cheaper-per-pair than the separate other durable dumbbells on Amazon.
Last dumbbell random idea: You can also browse kettlebells which don’t seem to have risen in price as much as their dumbbell counterparts. While I prefer dumbbells to kettlebells, it may be cheaper + I just wanted to pass the option along.
Foam roller: My absolute faaaaaaaave. A must-have for rollllling out, recovery, and loosening up tight muscles. For a full report on all my favorite DIY massage and recovery tools, hop on over to my post, 8 massage tools you can get on Amazon.
optional home gym ideas: my honest 6-month peloton review
Okay, so we just covered the absolute basics for your home gym…now is the time for a (verrrrrry) optional addition to your home gym—the Peloton! Okay, friends, this NOT necessary for your at-home gym, because hello, definitely a $$$$ investment! Not to mention, you can always get cardio in through walking, running, biking outside, etc. for free and don’t need a Peloton to get cardio in.
…buuuuut, on the other hand, I can’t deny that the Peloton is my home gym MVP + I am absolutely obsessed. I have been asked 94830298409238 times about buying this so I wanted to recap my experience + honest Peloton review here!
My honest Peloton review? 11 out of 10 would recommend to a friend. I am obsessed. 6 months in and I still use it almost daily and have never regretted it once. Truly.
How I bought one? You all know me—the ultimate bargain hunter. I was convinced I wanted one, but wasn’t quuuuite ready for that $3000 price tag. I ended up ruthlessly searching Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and other used exercise sites until I found one for $1800 that was in excellent condition. I just asked why they were selling it (didn’t use it enough), what the condition was (nearly brand new), and then I asked to ride it so that I could test it out to ensure it was in tip-top shape. Everything worked great, and assembly and moving was wayyyyy easier than I anticipated. I have had zero issues with it whatsoever and I saved over $1200. Cha-ching! There is no secret to how to find a used Peloton besides ruthlessly searching online. I looked for about 4 weeks before I found “the one.”
However, knowing what I know now after using it for 6 months, I would ABSOLUTELY pay $3000 for it if I had to. Just in case you can’t find one used or want to buy it new, I would say it is definitely worth $3000 in quality. It is soooo convenient and versatile. From biking to yoga to lifting, I have a boutique class experience for alllll of them! (PSA: you can save $100 off your Peloton + accessories with the code “5A9WGA”!)
It is SO time efficient—I can work up a major sweat in 15ish minutes—and it requires zeroooo “prep” time. Remember when I said I am an efficiency freak?? With Peloton, I don’t have to drive to the gym, find parking, get checked in, etc. I can just wake up, throw on my sports bras and spandex, and hop on the bike. There is ZERO time wasted getting ready to work out.
I remember the FIRST thing Adam said when I brought it home was “Holy crap—that thing is QUIET.” And it’s so true. If you are used to loud cardio equipment, that is not the case with Peloton. It is soooo smooth + quiet. Maybe this isn’t a big deal to you, but as 2 nurses who work weird schedules, this was an amazing perk for us!
I am OBSESSED with how customizable the workouts are! I can find classes from 5 minutes, 10, 15, 20, 30, alllll the way to 90 minutes. I can customize my instructor, music choice, difficulty, anything! You can find a workout PERFECT for any chunk of time or workout need.
Did I neeeeeeeed a peloton? Not really, honestly. As a former Division I athlete, I am pretty comfortable “designing” my own workouts and I’ve never really felt like I needed an instructor in order to get a good workout in. That said, now that I’ve bought one, I am HOOKED. Even though I am capable of making my own workouts, I can’t deny HOW NICE + convenient + motivating it is to have expert instructors design + lead my workouts at the press of a button.
Speaking of the washed-up DI athlete thing, I am obsessed with the live leaderboard that allows you to race, complete workouts, and encourage other riders. This part is totally optional! You can engage if you want to and hide it if you don’t! For me, I find it sooo motivating to compete with and encourage other riders—you definitely feel like you are taking a live class alongside other people. It is SO motivating!
PRO TIP: I tagged the items I own below. A mat for the bike, small weights for the sculpting section of rides (I recommend 3-5 lbs.), and shoes that clip in. These will majorrrrly upgrade and complete your Peloton experience.
peloton amazon “extras” that I recommend:
I thought I would use it mostly for biking, but I have been blown away by all the other classes as well: weightlifting, HIIT, abs, yoga, meditation, etc. I can have an instructor-led class on ANY workout. On most days I will do one 10-minute yoga class + one 5-minute meditation class to start my day. Then, when I do my workout, I’ll do 20-60 minutes of cardio (biking, walking, running, etc.), one 15-minute strength class, and a 5-minute abs class. That may sound like a lot, but I fluctuate between 5 minute, 10 minute, and 15 minutes options to efficiently target EXACTLY what I want for that workout. LOVE. IT.
Some potential cons to include: The price is definitely a factor—$3000 is A LOT to spend and I won’t sugar-coat that. Is it worth it for me? 100%. But whether it’s worth it for you is up to you. Also, you have to pay a monthly membership for the app classes that costs about $40. I just consider this to be my “gym fee” and that feels fully worth it to me. Other cons include…umm…I can’t really think of any. Honestly. The bike. The app. The workout classes. The instructors. I am honestly soooo impressed by this bike + platform. Long story short—if you are ready for the financial INVESTMENT, you are going to love it.
I also really appreciate their stats, milestones, and mini challenges. It gives the perfect amount of structure and accountability to *actually* have productive, consistent workouts.
Long story short: 1000000% thankful for my peloton. If you are looking for a time-efficient, convenient way to work out at home, you really can’t beat peloton. I fully acknowledge that this is an investment, and may not be realistic for everyone, but I had been asking so many times to give a review and just wanted to share that if you arreeeee considering, I absolutely LOVE mine.
Interested in a peloton of your own? You can save $100 with the coupon code “5A9WGA” (not sponsored or anything— just a classic refer-a-friend link! Enjoy!)
other optional gym ideas:
ideas to upgrade your experience
Meditation pillow: Perfect for the post-workout quiet time. Weird, but I started consistently meditating soooo much more after I invested in a pillow I love. Here is the specific one I use, but there are soooo many different options. :)
This nontoxic room spray: I mean, even though you’re at home, that doesn’t mean you can’t set the tone + make it feel like a fancy yoga studio, ya knowwww! I’m particularly loving this nontoxic room spray scent lately—the perfect uplifting + centering oil blend.
A video workout service: Whether you YouTube free workouts, stream classes from your local gym, or use the Peloton app, I hiiiiighly recommend having some sort of video workout class to maximize the function of the equipment above. Not only do video workouts give you structure, but it keeps you accountable, motivated, and organized in your workouts! It’s technically not needed if you prefer to design your own workouts, but I personally loveeeeee streaming Peloton classes to guide me + keep me on track!
benefits of making a home gym:
Okay, the truth? I am a total efficiency freak—and I haaaaated the time I would waste driving to the gym, checking in, getting changed in the locker room, competing for the treadmill, waiting for my class to start, etc. I decided I just wanted to make a small-but-mighty home gym of my own that I could use at any time without having to drive, plan, or waste any extra time! It is SO convenient.
Aside from just the logistics of getting to the gym, I was also looking for something time-efficient for the workout itself. At-home workouts can be wayyyyy more efficient because you don’t have to wait for equipment at the gym and waste time walking around. I wanted the ability to get in a good sweat in 15-20 minutes and built my home gym around equipment that is versatile and can be used for a variety of workouts: quick lifts, HIIT, yoga, stretching, resistance training, etc.
Not to mention, it saves soooooo much money over time. Instead of paying for gas driving to the gym, parking, monthly memberships…you just invest a few hundred dollars in lump sum, and you have your own gym forever more!
my favorite workout clothing brand:
Okay, okay, I have to talk about the GEAR. Whew, you guys—PLEASE try Girlfriend Collective. This company is r e v o l u t i o n a r y. What drew me in? That their leggings and tops are made of recycled plastic? YUP. That they pay their workers a livable wage? YUP YUP. That they donate a portion of every sale to removing plastic from the ocean? TRIPLE YUP. I was intrigued. But also, like, thought it was too good to be true? Welp. So I took the plunge and ordered a set and was blown away by the leggings themselves. Like, I knew I loved their mission, but I just didn’t expect to looove their products as much as I did. The fabric is super thick and does not pill whatsoever even after wearing to hot yoga and running and washing it over + over again. Quadruple YUP. Oh! and their packaging is completely plastic-free and their site has inclusive, diverse sizing and models! YUPx5.
Okay, I need to stop ranting now. Basically the bottom line is it’s that good. This is where I get 85% of my workout gear—from their Paloma sports bra (best bra ever) to their bike shorts and leggings and basic tees—you’ll find what ya need, and feel good buying it! Pinky promise.
You just found your dream, eco-friendly workout brand, my friend.
SHOP THE ENTIRE GIRLFRIEND COLLECTION HERE:
my favorite [random] workout clothing items:
This specific tank top: Okay, okay, THEE perfect $21 tank top. You heard the saga of this tank top. Basically I searched hiiiiiigh and low for a cropped, spaghetti strap tank top with a built in bra/padding. I wanted an eco-friendly one, but I COULD NOT find what I had in mind, and there’s the quote “Any piece of clothing can be ‘eco-friendly’ as long as you wear it often enough and don’t replace it unnecessarily.” Soooo since I couldn’t find the *exact* thing I was looking for in an eco-friendly way, I ended up finding this Amazon one and HOLY CRAP. Amazing. I mentioned it on my Instagram stories twice and over 400 of you bought it. And then bought it again in other colors. Hahahah, it’s just THAT good. Like, the perfect tank top.
The paloma girlfriend sports bra: From my dream athletic brand. You’ve heard me rant about this specific sports bra 3842743927 times, but for real. It has the PERFECT amount of support for high-impact (running, jumping, HIIT, etc.) and is a crop tank top length. It’s also made of recycled plastic. Hiiiiighly recommend.
Athleta: Athleta clothing is a certified b-corp which means they design their business structure in a way that considers the environment. I would search specifically for their eco-friendly items on their site. Not everrrrrrything is great, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how eco-friendly Athleta is for such a big corporation!
lululemon: I tryyyyyyy not to shop at lulu too often as I know there are more ethical places to shop—however, the few items I do have from them (mostly leggings) have held up SO well. I always shop from the “we made too much” portion of their website that has alllll the sneaky sale prices. I love their high-waist fit. Again, not a brand that I will shop from all the time, but every so often when I need to replace a pair or something, their pairs really do hold up for the long haul!
Shoes: There are a lottttttt of variance in shoes and what is best for your feet, but I typically opt for New Balance or Brooks running and workout shoes!
alllllright, that’s a wrap!
Okay, after months + months of planning to write this post, here it is! I just wanna say wherever you are—I am so proud of you for taking the next step in your fitness journey. I know it can seem intimidating, overwhelming, or perhaps time-consuming, but i’m here to tell you that the at-home gym is the perfect place to work out: on your own time, in your own space, in your own way!
Any questions? Let me know below! As always—thankful for you, friend!
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