Equipment for home cardio on a budget
Cardio might seem like it’s gone out of style in the fitness world, but it’s still one of the best forms of exercise due to it elevating your heart rate for a sustained period.
With resistance training alone, most people won’t see the results they want because layers of excess fat cover their muscles.
Cardio burns calories however, helping to reduce excess fat, so it’s ideal to do in combination with resistance training.
Plus, no need to go hit up an aerobics class, there’s plenty of budget home gym equipment to help you feel the burn.
Jump Rope
No wonder boxers love them; jump ropes are one of the most effective cardio workouts you can do.
If you’re short on time, a 15-minute burst of skipping is as good at burning calories as 30 minutes of jogging!
It’s estimated that one person can burn up to 840 calories in one hour simply by skipping. Plus it builds agility and all-important endurance.
This rope is fantastic quality. It’s also easily adjustable, so no matter how tall or short you are, you can make it work for you.
Running
Rather than only skipping, mix up your cardio and alternate throughout the week by also going for a walk or jog. This will reduce the overall impact on the body and prevent stress in any one area.
How to boost recovery after a workout
One of the most important elements of performance and exercise is rest – but once you get into a regular routine, it’s also one of the hardest things to do.
To get better at a sport, or to enhance your personal fitness, you expose your body to a degree of ‘stress’.
The point at which your body adapts to that stress is the point that it becomes fitter and stronger.
Focussing too much on the stress and neglecting rest and recovery however, can lead to injuries.
Be sure to factor in rest days, even if you love your routine. Don’t fear that if you have a rest day, it means you’re giving up or are slacking off from your program. It’s essential to listen to your body and gauge how you’re feeling.
Your couch might be the best budget home gym equipment investment you make!
Hydrate with a good water bottle
Besides taking adequate rest, a big (and you can argue, the most important), part of recovery is hydration.
The most basic thing you can do on a daily basis is to drink more water. It’s just as good as the costly sports drinks you see advertised, and usually much better for you.
Once you start working out, you need to take in at least 120oz per day. – That intake will be a big change for a lot of people.
This bottle by Joseph Joseph helps you to reach your daily hydration goals by tracking how much you drink with a simple visual system.
The innovative lid records the number of bottles drunk by letting you make a new dot appear every time the bottle is refilled and the lid closed (1 dot = 1 bottle).
Plus its BPA-free, so it’s better for you and better for the environment.
Foam Roller
Whether you’ve been active for some time or are just getting started, even with rest days, working out effectively will take its toll on your body.
One of the best tools for safe recovery and injury-prevention are foam rollers.
Popular among elite athletes, they have a drastic and immediate impact on promoting performance and longevity.
Start by foam rolling your calves. They take a lot of punishment, not just from working out, but any time you move during the day.
This Grid foam roller by TriggerPoint is highly recommended. It’s compact enough to hide away in a small room, and there are many helpful Youtube tutorial videos to get you started.
Remember, although everyone can benefit from being more active, see your physician before you undertake any new exercise regime, to make sure there are no underlying health issues that you should be aware of.
The best exercise is safe exercise.
We hope this post helped you to see that there is plenty of budget home gym equipment to get a full workout anytime without the hassle of the gym.
If you’re interested in finding the best workout for you, then you’ll wan to check out this post.
Plus, take a look at this post if you’re looking to improve your diet.
What are your favorite home exercises? Let us know in the comments!
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