At-home workout equipment is a fitting solution for those on a budget
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to go to the gym more, but another is to save money, there is a solution to the problem. Investing in equipment you can use at home, that stores easily and can be used while doing other things will save you time and money.
1. An illustrated yoga mat
If you’re new to yoga but don’t have time for classes, an illustrated mat can get you started.
The mat has 70 yoga poses printed on it – from easier beginner’s poses such as downwards dog and cow, to advanced positions including crow and headstand. Although there aren’t step-by-step instructions of how to achieve the poses, when used with free online tutorials, the images give an idea of the position that needs to be achieved.
The 173cm-long, 5mm-thick mat can also be used for everyday workouts and stretching. ▶ NewMe Fitness Yoga Mat, Dh209, www.amazon.ae
2. The Chopper
The Chopper comes in two weights – 1.81kg and 3.17kg – and lets you workout in a way that moves your whole body.
It comes with access to 60 circuit workouts, multi-day challenges, the Chopper exercise movements library and a dashboard to track your progress, and can be used to complement existing strength and cardio training.
▶ $199.95 for 1.81kg, $259.95 for 3.17kg, www.chopfit.com
3. The Booty Kicker
If you’ve been bitten by the barre workout craze, the Booty Kicker lets you do it in the comfort of your own home.
Grip the barre and move through a range of low-impact movements that improve flexibility, strengthen muscles and build core strength.
At 96.5cm wide and 94cm tall, it is not adjustable, so consider your height before you buy.
It folds flat to be stored under a sofa or bed and features a dumbbell holder that fits two 0.45kg, 0.90kg and 1.36kg weights.
▶ Booty Kicker, Dh669, www.desertcart.ae
4. A doorway punchbag
The Quiet Punch is the ideal way to get back into boxing or to keep up your training between gym sessions.
Easy to set up, it fits doorways 71.12cm-91.44cm wide and comes with two adjustable bars. Simply attach the punchbag to the bars and get working on your jabs, uppercuts and crossbody punches.
It’s available with or without a tracker that follows your progress and sets speed and punch challenges. There’s also an app featuring videos showing the correct form for punches.
▶ Quiet Punch, $140 without tracker, $170 with tracker, www.quietpunch.com
5. Push-up bars
Callisthenics, using your own body weight as resistance, is the easiest and cheapest way to work out. One of the most popular of these workouts, push-ups, are a great way to build upper-body muscle strength and improve core stability.
Invest in a pair of rotating push-up bars, which are nonslip and come with handles that allow for a firm grip.
▶ Adidas Swivel Push Up Bars, Dh339.68, www.amazon.ae
6. Weighted fitness hoop
This weighted belt can easily be used while catching up
on the latest TV shows. This low-impact workout burns calories and also helps strengthen the core. Easy to use and with instructional videos available online, the hoop can help reduce overall body fat.
Showlovein Weighted Hula-Hoop, Dh214, www.desertcart.ae