Now that your cardio is nailed, it’s time to get down to business. No home gym is complete without free weights. For starters, you need to consider a dumbbell rack, Dumbbells are amongst the most versatile pieces of gym equipment you can buy. For most goal orientated gym owners versatility is useful but specificity is essential. Read on and look out for our other articles to learn more about Barbell types, Benches, Pull Up Bars, Kettlebells and everything else you might consider for your personal or home gym.
Let’s look at some of the variations.
Dumbbells
Dumbbells are the most versatile of all exercise equipment. There is likely no weight lifting move that can’t be performed with a set of dumbbells. Dumbbells form the foundation of any weight-lifting routine, from bicep curls to overhead presses to variations on a deadlift. We highly recommend looking at a Dumbbell set that goes from 5 kg to at least 25kg.
Your Dumbbell Discovering Guide
When it comes to weight training, there is no piece of exercise equipment more versatile than the dumbbell. From overhead presses that target the shoulders to basic curls that target the biceps, almost all muscles can be trained with a…
Fixed Rubber Dumbbells
More so seen in commercial gyms as opposed to home workout spaces, these dumbbells have a rubber coating around a fixed weight. This type of dumbbell offers the very best in stability. However, you’ll need a rack and a decent amount of space to store all these weights.
Adjustable Dumbbells
Probably the most ubiquitous of all dumbbell types in a home gym. These dumbbells use plates on a small bar. Although you sacrifice some stability, the ability to adjust and stack weights means these are a real space-saving solution.
Studio Dumbbells
Usually used with cardio movements, these bright and colourful dumbbells are not suitable for a significant weight lifting regime. However, they are great for increasing the difficulty of body weight exercises.
Barbells
Barbells Types and Which Exercise You Should Perform With Each
You know, a barbell should be simple. After all, it’s a steel bar that you put weight plates on. It’s hardly a massive feat of engineering—a tube-shaped bar with a decent grip strong enough to support heavy weights. Easy, right?…
An essential piece of kit for anyone considering a weight lifting regime, the barbell can be used for compound lifts like back squats and isolation exercises like bicep curls. Like all exercise equipment, not all barbells are the same, and there are some variations to be aware of.
Standard Barbell
The bar you see on squat racks and bench presses. The standard bar is an essential part of a home gym. Great for building muscle through compound lifts like deadlifts and suitable for CrossFit style cardio workouts. The standard barbell is indispensable and should be one of your first home gym purchases.
Trap Bar
What the trap bar loses in versatility, it makes up for in function. This bar allows you to stand inside the bar making it perfect for deadlifts and heavy-weight farmer walks. These bars are expensive and should only be considered by the experienced weight lifter or power lifter looking to diversify their routine.
EZ Bar
It’s no accident that the EZ Bar is often referred to as a curl bar. The EZ bar’s crooked design makes it comfortable to hold while doing curls or triceps exercises. Unlike the other bar options, the EZ bar isn’t suitable for compound movements. Instead, it’s used to isolate muscles in the arm.
Final pieces of Exercise Equipment
Comparing the Different Types of Weight Benches
While hardly the most exciting exercise equipment, a weight bench may be the most important. Any weight training regime will require the services of the humble weight bench. Everything from chest presses, one-arm dumbbell rows and Bulgarian split squats use…
The Pros And Cons Of Different Ab Exercisers
You know Brad Pitt has a lot to answer for. Ever since he peeled off his shirt in that famous scene from Fight Club, six-pack abs have become the most coveted body feature. Chiselled physiques adorn fitness magazines, Instagram feeds…
A Complete Guide to Kettlebells
Is there a more under-utilised piece of exercise equipment than the kettlebell? Almost every commercial gym will have a few kettlebells gathering dust in the corner. While dumbbell competition is fierce, during busy gym times, the kettlebells rack is often…
The Ultimate Pull-Up Bar Discovering Guide
What is the best test of upper body fitness? Powerlifters and free weight enthusiasts worldwide will point to the chest press as the best gauge of a person’s strength. Of course, compound moves like the barbell clean and press also…
By now, you should have your cardio machines set up. You will have also decided on a dumbbell set, a barbell and maybe even an EZ bar to target those biceps. However, we’re not finished. All home gyms should include extra equipment to help mix up workouts.
Weight Bench
For any weight lifting regime worth its salt you will need a decent weight bench. Great for bench presses, one-legged squats and dumbbell rows, a weight bench makes exercising more comfortable and safer.
Pull Up Bar
As any strength aficionado will tell you, the actual test of pound-for-pound strength isn’t in your max bench. It’s in how many pull-ups you can do. Pull ups remain the simplest and the very best back exercise. There are countless options for a pull-up bar, from self-installs in door frames to wall-mounted pull-up bars or even rack-mounted bars.
Kettlebells
Kettlebells are a truly ancient piece of workout kit. Variations of the kettlebell shape have been used since the time of the ancient Greeks. Used to add variety to a weight lifting regime or as part of a cardio circuit, kettlebells can add some much-needed diversity to a home workout routine.
Ab Exercisers
Not only does a six-pack look great strong abdominal muscles are also crucial for all types of exercises. A powerful core protects the lower back during squats and deadlifts. A developed abdominal is also vital for creating the kind of explosive speed required for sporting performance. Items like exercise wheels are inexpensive ad exercisers.
There you have everything you need to create a high-performance home gym. When discovering weights online, be careful with delivery charges. Most retailers charge by weight, so while a 20kg barbell set may seem like a bargain, always check the delivery costs before making a purchase. Alternatively, why not save on delivery by shopping local. GetLocal makes comparing exercise equipment between local retailers easy. Save yourself money and support local businesses with GetLocal.
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