Working out at home with your own home gym equipment has some serious convenience benefits. Home is a pressure-free zone to exercise.
That said, there’s a lot you can do with just a few cost-effective pieces of home gym equipment. In fact, you don’t have to spend any money at all—there are plenty of ways to get in cardio and strength work using just your body weight for resistance.
Having some essential equipment at your disposal gives you more exercise options, allows you to add resistance as you get stronger, and gives your workouts more variety, so you (and your muscles) won’t get bored of the same old routine.
Essential gym equipment for home
Here are the descriptions of some necessary gym equipment for home.
1. Dumbbell
The dumbbell is a type of free weight, it is a piece of equipment used in weight training. It is usually used individually or in pairs, with one in each hand.
Dumbbell
2. Exercise Mat
An exercise mat makes floor exercises way more comfortable, whether you’re doing abs work on your back or push-ups on your knees. Look for a thicker mat for more cushioning, especially if you’re working out on a hard floor.
Using a mat is a great way to make sure you’ve got at least one rectangle of workout-designated space. Exercise mats cushion the body to prevent aches and pains while people exercise.
Therefore, the type of workout a person is likely to do will determine the type of mat that will be most suitable for them.
Exercise Mat
3. Kettlebell
Kettlebells are a more versatile piece of equipment, and they’re great for working your muscles and getting your heart rate up.
You can do traditional kettlebell exercises such as kettlebell swings or Turkish get-ups, and you can also add them to traditional strength training workouts to switch it up.
Holding a lot of weight by a handle engages your arm, leg, shoulder, back, and abdominal muscles. The pull on your muscles helps to strengthen them.
The pull on your bones helps stimulate new bone cell growth. Using kettlebells can also improve your posture.
Kettlebell
4. Jump Rope
A jump rope is a fun throwback way to get your heart rate up and fast. Jumping rope works your arms, shoulders, core, and legs.
The Jumping rope can increase your cardiorespiratory fitness, build stronger bones and muscles, and also enhance your balance and coordination.
Jump Rope
5. A training bench
A training bench is a support system. You can lay on it for lifts, prop your feet and hands on it to angle your body, and use it as a step for step-ups.
Adding a training bench to your home gym expands your training possibilities. Your training sessions will benefit big time from owning a training bench, and so will your gains.
A Training bench
6. Resistance bands
Resistance bands are versatile, cheap, and very effective at building strength and improving mobility.
You may wish to invest in various strengths to perform a range of exercises. Piercy advises using them in squats, hip thrusts, bicep curls, and extensions, and also as an aid for stretching.
Resistance bands and tubes have been proven to improve the strength, size, and function of muscles in the elderly as well as those undergoing rehabilitation.
Resistance bands
7. Treadmill
The treadmill is still regarded as one of the best machines to test your cardio abilities and boost fitness. This is one of the essential gym equipment for home
Whether you are looking for an all-in-one cardio solution or simply an addition to the existing range of equipment in your home gym, you simply can’t go wrong with a treadmill.
If you like walking, jogging, or running, the treadmill can help you achieve your fitness goals quickly and efficiently in the comfort of your own home.
Treadmill
8. Punching Bag
You don’t have to be a boxer to reap the benefits of a punching bag. Incorporating a punching bag into your home gym or exercise space will give you a well-rounded workout focusing on stamina, strength, and working your core muscles.
They’re simple, they’re versatile and they’re incredibly effective from a calorie-burning perspective. You simply can’t go wrong with a punching bag.
A punching bag is an exercise tool able to improve your fitness level and overall health. When you hit a punching bag, it requires a lot of physical exertion and tests your strength and stamina.
For most people, this form of full-body engagement helps burn calories while strengthening core muscle groups.
Punching Bag
9. Foam roller
A foam roller is a lightweight foam cylinder that you use to self-administer deep tissue massage. Foam rolling releases muscle knots, relieves inflammation, and improves overall comfort.
It can also increase your range of motion, flexibility, and mobility while boosting circulation and lymphatic flow.
Exercising regularly from home can sometimes lead to muscle tightness or pain, particularly if you don’t warm up your muscles well before a workout session.
Foam roller
10. Rowing machine
Rowing is a total-body workout. It will strengthen major muscle groups in your arms, legs, and core and increase cardiovascular endurance.
If you consistently use the rowing machine, you will notice that you will become stronger and less out of breath. A rowing machine is a great piece of equipment if you have got a bit of extra space and looking for must-have machines.
Rowing machine
Conclusion on the Essential gym equipment for home
Whether you are just starting to create your own home gym or planning to upgrade your existing equipment or workout space, it’s important to carefully consider every aspect of the fitness environment.
If you take your time to curate pieces of equipment over time, you will end up with a gym that is uniquely yours and also pretty cool. We hope the list of the essential gym equipment for your home helps you make the best decision.
It is possible to get routine gym workouts for busy professionals who rarely have time for themselves. We all know how life can become so fast-paced, and we almost can’t stop to catch our breath—juggling many activities in other to make ends meet or keep up with our current lifestyle. Yet, we keep looking for means to improvise and try to find a balance between these activities.
In the middle of it all, many busy professionals begin to overlook the vital aspect of life: their health. And as such, they unconsciously start losing out on the pillar that supports their core being.
For this reason, this article intentionally targets some gym workouts for these busy professionals to regain their health and inculcate these routines into their busy lifestyles.
Therefore, if you fall into this category, we have put together an easy workout that will be highly effective and won’t stand in the way of your busy life; hopefully, not having the time will no longer be an excuse not to stay fit and healthy.
Anyone unsure about this line of discussion can join in comfortably as we first break down what gym workouts are.
What is a gym workout?
Gym workouts are different types of exercise programs done routinely; it may be daily or weekly to build muscles, shed unnecessary fat build-up, and generally promote health and fitness. In proper definition, we will break the sentence into two: gym and workout.
Image by Ryan McGuire from Pixabay
According to Collins Dictionary, a gym is a large room or a building housing various equipment people use to exercise to get fit. According to the same Collins dictionary, a workout is a period of physical exercise or even training for both women and men.
Some busy professionals may have never worked out in their lives or have done that a very long time ago. Not to worry, when it comes to physical exercises, everyone can be included. This means there are gym workouts for beginners, yet they will show results before you move to more advanced or tasking ones.
Also, gym workouts can be target specific in the sense that these physical exercises can target different parts of the body where they work especially.
For example, someone may decide to burn their excess tummy fats or go the extra mile to build their abs. Another person might wish to build stamina, upper body, lower body, or even go for a full body workout. All these goals have specific exercises that can help you attain them.
Excellent time-saving workout tips for busy professionals
One all-time workout-saving tip that can save you time as a busy professional is bringing your workout routine home. Active people may find it very difficult to include visiting a gym in their schedule. This is understandable, especially when the closest gym is miles away and totally off your route.
So what do you do? You have to improvise and convert a portion of your house to become your gym. Perhaps there are no extra spaces for this; you can get a few pieces of equipment that can fit into your home naturally and begin from there. This way, as a busy professional, you can incorporate physical exercise into your schedule.
Also, take advantage of the internet. There are numerous workout videos on the internet, like Youtube or Instagram, that you can join without as much as handling gym equipment and still get desired fitness results. Still, it will not tamper with your busy schedule.
Types of workout equipment that can comfortably fit into a home and save you gym time
See below;
A treadmill
This is a Cardio exercise equipment that you can use at home at your convenient time. It comes in different sizes and does not occupy a lot of space. It comes with running or walking settings and is very beginner-friendly.
As a busy professional, you can revise your presentation or speech or even think about your next business proposal while getting fit on the treadmill.
Dumbbells
Dumbbells are workout equipment that does not occupy space in your home. It helps with weight training and comes in pairs. Dumbbells come in different sizes and types and can be used while reading or walking around the house.
Jump ropes
Jump ropes are handy workout equipment that is well-known and very effective.
Yoga mat
This can be rolled up as soon as your session is over; it is a special type of mat for Yoga meditation and exercise.
Indoor bike machine
It is an equipment that helps you work on the lower part of your body by cycling.
Many other pieces of equipment can fit into your home perfectly and save you the time of going to the gym.
Gym workouts for busy professionals
As a busy professional, your workout session can also double as a time for you to do other things. Hence, slaying two birds with a single sling.
Planks workout
The planks workout is a core strength training exercise for females and males. It targets the abdominal walls, the shoulders, and the back. You can include the front and side planks in your routine. Planks do not take much time while doing it, yet, it works effectively on various body muscles.
Jumping ropes workout
Jumping rope is a workout session that involves strength training and cardio exercise. It takes about 15 minutes to achieve the high percentage benefits of jumping rope.
There are intensive and beginner-friendly jumping rope workouts. Jumping rope will not make you miss your big business move of the day.
Push-ups workout
You are still correct if you refer to this workout as press up. Push-ups help you build various muscles in the body, especially the upper body muscles of the chest, shoulders, and arms. Your abdominal walls are not left out, including your spine and gluteus.
Pilates workout
Pilates is another workout session that targets the core. There are different types of pilates exercise, so you get to do many styles in separate workout sessions. Pilates helps care for your hips, back, spine, pelvic floor, rectus abdominus, and even lower back pain.
Squats workout
This is an excellent workout that improves your hip, joints, and leg bones. Squats can be done alongside other exercises, like lifting weights, dumbbells, or balls.
Jumping jacks workout
Jumping jacks can be done in a fast or slow mode. You can even freestyle and add other routines like squats while at it. Jumping jacks, among the other workouts mentioned above, aid in weight loss. For this workout, you can experience a significant amount of fat loss in the arm, legs, belly, and back.
To draw the curtain, busy professionals can include these easy do-at-home workouts to stay healthy while doing their best at work.
The fitness business is booming right now, making it the ideal moment to start one, as fitness and health have merged into everyone’s lifestyle.
When it comes to their health and wellness, people are becoming more aware and making informed decisions, and as a result, there is a growing need for personal trainers.
Practicing as a personal trainer without official certification is permissible, but it is challenging to get reliable work. You must pass the CPT exam to use the designation “Certified Personal Trainer” (CPT), which is one that gyms and clientele frequently seek.
Personal trainer certification programs prepare you to work with people in various settings, like fitness clubs, gyms, colleges, or rehabilitation programs. They also provide the knowledge you’ll need to pass this test.
To assist prospective personal trainers in selecting the finest personal training certification, we’ve compiled a list of our top picks and a list of the (mainly) objective standards that matter most to trainers.
What does a personal trainer do?
A personal trainer is a health and fitness expert who collaborates with customers to assist them in reaching their fitness objectives.
Based on their client’s unique needs and goals, personal trainers design personalized workout regimens for them. They also offer direction and encouragement to help their clients achieve their objectives.
Responsibilities and Duties
Depending on the environment in which they work and the demands of their clients, personal trainers’ obligations can change. The following are some typical tasks and responsibilities of a personal trainer:
Conducting Fitness Assessments
Developing Customized Exercise Programs
Providing Instruction and Feedback
Motivating and Encouraging Clients
Monitoring Progress and Adjusting Programs:
Providing Nutrition and Wellness Coaching
Maintaining Professionalism and Ethics
Categories of a Gym/Personal Instructor
Fitness certificates can be divided into the five categories listed below. The goal of your fitness certification and how it fits with your long-term career objectives must be considered;
Personal Training
The NCCA-authorized certification programs are the gold standard in the fitness and wellness business, so if you want to become a certified personal trainer, choose one of them.
You could choose from a variety of organizations, such as the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), or the Cooper Institute (CI).
Group fitness
The courses listed in the following paragraphs are for you if you have the energy and enthusiasm to instruct an aerobics class or any other fitness exercise.
When it comes to group fitness certification, there are some right choices. ACE, ACSM, NASM, and NETA offer reputable group fitness certifications.
Clinical
The ACSM certification program is the natural choice for those more interested in exercise from a clinical standpoint because it enables you to work with individuals with stable, medically-controlled health issues and healthy adults in general.
It would help if you were an ASCM Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CCEP) or ASCM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist (RCEP) to pursue a clinical career in exercise physiology.
Human Performance
When it comes to a certification that enables you to work with athletes at every level, the NSCA’s Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) program stands out.
The CSCS is the only strength and conditioning certification program for training athletes granted NCCA accreditation, although ISSA, NASM, and ACE also offer certificates in sports conditioning.
It’s a comprehensive core certification that requires a bachelor’s degree and has long been regarded as the best in the business for strength coaches.
Specialty
A specialty program is for you if you wish to work only with the young or elderly population, become an authority in women’s fitness, or gain knowledge in weight reduction or nutrition.
A vast selection of specialized certifications is available to complement your core certificate. You could select the prominent NASM or ACE organizations because they provide you with multiple certificates in various specializations.
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Nationally Accredited Gym Instructor Training Programs
Let’s look deeper at the Nationally accepted certification mentioned in the previous section to help you choose the fitness certificate that best suits your needs professionally and personally.
To survive in a cutthroat market, the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) believes giving its trainers the resources they need inside and outside the gym is crucial. You can study and sit for an open-book exam for the certification, which costs $799, in the convenience of your own home.
The ISSA personal trainer certification has a two-year validity period, during which time you must earn 20 CES credits to keep it current. Thanks to online conferences and seminars, you can finish the majority of them in your free time at home. They are confident you will land a job after receiving your fitness certification, so they offer a money-back guarantee.
The well-known NASM program emphasizes corrective exercise and equips students with the knowledge and abilities to become effective personal trainers. When it involves studying materials, it provides a variety of possibilities, including self-study, premium self-study, guided study programs, and all-inclusive solutions.
The all-inclusive version includes all the assistance that NASM delivers. At the same time, the guided study program features more than 45 lectures and instructional videos. For $649, it includes the online course, test cost, digital textbook, instructional videos, quizzes, and practice exams.
The other options range in price from $839 to $1484, including guided study sessions, extra study materials, a 90-day job guarantee, and the free retest option.
NASM is acknowledged by all major gyms and is accredited by the NCCA. Like every other NCCA-accredited test, it needs a high school certificate and AED and CPR certifications.
The National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF) is the best option for academics since it is a demanding and rewarding course that enhances your analytical skills, client communication, and training abilities.
People who desire to work in a health club or gym or create their own business might consider getting this certification.
More than 300,000 people have received an education thanks to the certificate, recognized in more than 160 countries. There are more than 8,000 exam centers globally, making selecting a location to take the exam simple.
The NCSF has relationships with reputable fitness clubs and gyms like 24 Hour Fitness, Gold’s Gym, and Equinox that help beginners succeed in their job search.
Each pricing tier offers a printed and digital textbook, study guides, quizzes to review material, teacher support, and exams.
The top two most complete alternatives include continuing education units (CEUs) that aid learners in fulfilling ethical obligations.
Any personal trainer wishing to advance their credentials or who is just starting is an excellent candidate for the ACE personal training certification. It shares many characteristics with NASM and offers a variety of options for study materials.
Its entry-level subscription, which costs $979, provides access to the exam, one practice test, a digital textbook, and study aids.
The extra options, which cost between $979 and $1729, include more study materials and assistance. You can repeat the test for $249 if you fail it the first time.
Even while the cost of ACE’s recertification is more than that of other certificates—starting at $129 for one renewal—the range of additional certifications and CEU programs can help you advance your career and attract new customers.
The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is committed to improving fitness trainers’ abilities and educating them about cutting-edge techniques in the field.
Globally, the NSCA offers three certificates for fitness trainers, each tailored to the kind of professional training the user intends to pursue.
NSCA offers three certifications for Certified Personal Trainers, and numerous training-specific topics are covered in these certification programs. You can start a career in the fitness business by selecting one of the many specialist certificates offered by NSCA.
NESTA’s certification program for fitness is relatively new. They collaborated with the tech company Polar to create a curriculum for personal trainer education that utilized Polar technology. NESTA uses this technology to train its fitness instructors and issue them an online personal training certification to become certified Heart Rate Performance Specialists.
An average age of 18 is necessary, along with a high school degree and an up-to-date certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation or a Basic Life Support card. It costs $25 to sit for the short certificate examination with a polar heart rate monitor at a different cost.
You must pass a non-proctored online test with 100 multiple-choice questions and finish the course in 3 to 4 weeks for a year to receive the certification and graduate.
All personal trainers must accrue continuing education credits (CECs) to keep their credentials and stay current with industry knowledge, regardless of the certification scheme they pick.
The National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT) offers lifetime free access to these credits, which are frequently expensive.
There are three different class tiers available, and the CPT exam is the least price ($379); the intermediate tier ($499) includes learning materials but not videos; and the highest or “premier” tier ($1299) contains all learning materials in addition to videos, practice exams, access to NFPT specialist trainers, and other things.
This well-known organization offers fitness trainers a variety of courses that are recognized nationally and internationally.
Due to the AFPA’s remote learning strategy, fitness trainers from outside the US who are ready to join may also do so for its educational programs. Fitness, health, wellness, and nutrition professionals greatly benefit from these courses and have more employment options after earning an AFPA certification.
With the development of technology, an increasing number of programs have moved online, and the AFPA now offers most of its education courses online. They also provide a master certification that combines four courses into one, costing $1,899, among other options.
Applicants must be 18 or older to be eligible for the AFPA Personal Trainer Certification; there are no other requirements, and there is a $449 fee for the personal trainer course. All study materials and the test fee are included in this sum. The passing grade for the pupils must be 85% or higher; if they don’t meet this, they’ll have to retake the test, which will cost them about $75.
IFPA is approved by the NCAA and offers the opportunity to become a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT). A two-day class in a significant U.S. city costs between $399 and $459, but the entire IFPA Fitness program takes two to six months to complete.
The price of the IFPA fitness certification includes the cost of the exam. Examinees must take the test within six months of the workshop or pay $79 to retake it. The test consists of 100 questions that must be answered in 2.5 hours.
The ability to take specialized courses in particular exercise genres is another bonus of IFPA certificates. This program must also be recertified every two years for a fee of $339.
Final Thoughts on the Nationally Accredited Gym Instructor Training Programs
The NCCA certifying authority has approved all personal training certifications on this list, so you can be sure you’ll receive a valid credential that most fitness clubs and gyms will accept.
New trainers should strongly consider the National Academy of Sports Medicine while aspiring athletes should check out the International Sports Sciences Association.
National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association (NESTA) is a good option if you’re seeking a personal trainer certification program that is more reasonably priced. Although the program is well-regarded and offers a comprehensive curriculum, it does not provide ACE-caliber job placement possibilities.
FAQs about Nationally Accredited Gym Instructor Training Programs
What is the time commitment needed to become a personal trainer?
The time required to become a personal trainer can vary depending on the academic requirements and certification criteria of the particular company or institution in which one desires to work.
Should I pursue a career as a personal trainer?
Becoming a personal trainer can be a fulfilling career decision for people who are enthusiastic about fitness and health.
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