Regular gym workouts aren't for everyone. Some people prefer to work out at home, while others just don't have time for more than one or two gym sessions a week. A study by Peloton found that approximately 40 per cent of Australians prefer hybrid workouts, in which they exercise at home and the gym throughout the week. This has led many people to invest in home workout equipment.
Unfortunately, affordable workout equipment can be hard to come by, especially if you want to target different muscle groups, increase resistance, etc. The good news is that there are plenty of budget-friendly alternatives out there to take your at-home workouts to the next level. First, let's discuss the value of working out at home and the costs of standard exercise equipment.
Working Out at Home Versus the Gym
The high cost of most exercise equipment keeps a lot of people from working out at home. Others worry that home workouts are less effective than training at a gym — but this isn't necessarily true.
There's no absolute consensus, but many experts say home workouts can be just as effective as gym workouts. Are you motivated and disciplined enough to keep up with your home workouts? Do you know when to challenge yourself with more weight or longer sets? Do you have the right equipment? If so, your home workouts could be just as good if not better than your trips to the gym.
The High Cost of Workout Equipment
If you've ever browsed workout equipment, you know how expensive it can be. Everything from big bulky machines to free weights can put you out thousands of dollars. Here's what you can expect to spend on popular exercise machines in Australia:
- Treadmill - For a decent quality treadmill, you'll probably end up paying somewhere between $1,000 to $2,000.
- Elliptical Machine - Though there are some cheaper options at around $1,000, most elliptical machines cost between $4,000 and $11,000.
- Exercise Bike - Peloton is one of the world's top exercise bike brands. For the standard model, you'd be paying around $2,145.
- Rowing Machine - If you want your own indoor rowing machine, you'll likely have to spend between $1,000 and $2,300.
If you want large exercise equipment for your home, spending under $1,000 is pretty unlikely. Thankfully, there are much more affordable alternatives that can still offer a quality workout.
Save on Gym Equipment With Quality Alternatives
You don't have to spend a fortune to create a home gym. You can develop an effective home workout plan and spend under $1,000 with the right equipment. Here are some budget-friendly exercise equipment, including one machine that can work 90% of muscle groups!
1. Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are great for home workouts. They're affordable and transportable — perfect if you're looking for portable gym equipment. You can gain a lot of strength with resistance bands — they have a similar effect to training with weight machines. Use them to target various muscle groups, including your biceps, triceps, glutes, hamstrings, and more.
Cost: $20-$80
2. Medicine Balls
Build your core strength with a medicine ball you can easily store in your home. Exercising with a medicine ball can really benefit your posture and balance, whether you're doing medicine ball push-ups, squats, or mountain climbers. Medicine balls can be made from a variety of materials, including vinyl, rubber, nylon, and leather — though leather will be less budget-friendly than the others.
Cost: $50-$100
3. Skipping Rope
Looking to up your cardio? Treadmills are great, but a skipping rope is significantly more affordable. Skipping rope, or jumping rope, for even 15 to 20 minutes can improve heart health. You can easily adjust your speed and duration to match your fitness level. With a nice skipping rope, you can easily exercise at home, at a hotel, in the park, at a resort, or anywhere else life takes you.
Cost: $5-$30
4. Yoga Mat
More than 1 million Australians practice yoga and for good reason! Yoga can improve your strength, flexibility, and balance. That said, yoga mats are ideal for more than just yoga. If you don't want to exercise directly on the floor, you can use your mat for sit-ups, push-ups, and countless other exercises.
Cost: $15-$50
5. Full Pump
The gear listed above is good to have at home, but they can't compare to Unitree's Full Pump. The Full Pump is a compact muscle-building machine that uses an innovative robot tech motor. This motor ensures you have smooth and stable resistance for your workouts, which can range between 2-20 kg (up to 160 kg on heavy core lifts). Whether you want to work on your core, legs, glutes, arms, back, or chest, the Full Pump has you covered.
Cost: $749
Work 90% of Muscle Groups with the Full Pump
With five workout modes and smart weight selection, you can isolate and target any muscle. This is what separates Full Pump from other workout gear. It'll cost you much less than a bulky machine, but it's more versatile and challenging than a skipping rope or a medicine ball. Instead of doing one or two different exercises, you can get a full-body workout with just one 10x10x6 cm device.
Another unique feature of the Full Pump is the free Fitness Pump app. With the app, you can customise your workouts, track your progress, count calories, and participate in a supportive community. You can also access 17+ training courses and 100+ exercises to get you closer to achieving your fitness goals.
Give Full Pump a Try for 90 Days, Risk-Free
Why spend thousands of dollars on expensive gym equipment when you can invest in a more affordable all-in-one portable gym device? With the Full Pump, your home workouts will be more effective and perfectly supplement your gym routine.
If you're interested in the Full Pump, you can try it risk-free for 90 days. If you decide it's not for you, we'd be happy to provide a full refund. Have any questions? Please feel free to contact us at your next convenience.
