Starting out with a new exercise plan? Here are some motivating workout items to get you started!
A High-Quality Mat
Whether you’re a yoga junkie, rely on HIIT workout videos, or pay attention to your abs as often as possible in your workout routine, a high-quality yoga mat is the perfect workout companion. We might even go so far as to say it’s an absolute must!
After all, yoga mats aren’t exclusive to yoga workouts. In fact, there are many workouts that utilize a mat. If not for the workout itself, mats are still useful for the warm-up and/or cool-down.
If you do choose to invest in a yoga mat, just be sure to invest in one that’s high-quality. While you can buy any old mat for ten dollars or less, there’s a noticeable difference between an inexpensive mat and one that is built to withstand your daily workouts.
Small, Medium, and Heavy Weights
The next step here is to invest in weights, but there is no need to buy every possible weight available. Instead, look at your capabilities and make a decision accordingly. For example, if you are just starting to build muscle, a 3-pound, 5-pound, and 8-pound set are likely more than enough to get you started. However, if you’re already a weight-lifting champ, by all means, go for those heavy weights.
Exercise Ball
What kind of workout room is complete without the classic exercise ball? While exercise balls look like a throwback to a 90s infomercial, don’t underestimate their use in strengthening your core. You can use an exercise ball on your new mat, during a yoga sesh, or with those weights we mentioned previously to increase your endurance.
One perk is that they also make for a great chair if you’re ever in the need of challenging those abs while at the office, making for an added bonus. Keep in mind, you’ll want an exercise ball that is the right size for your height, so choose the size that fits your needs best.
Resistance Bands
As previously stated, when you are just beginning your workout journey, chances are you won’t need to get decked out with all of the fancy workout equipment of a seasoned athlete, so adding resistance bands to your workout can give you a harder workout as you move up. Another point worth mentioning is that there are workouts available that directly rely on resistance bands, and you may find you prefer this low impact exercise.
Whichever case is true, resistance bands are always a sound purchase when it comes to workout equipment. For one thing, they are compact and therefore easy to transport with the rest of your equipment. Secondly, they are also important for continually improving your workout routine.
Yoga Blocks
If you enjoy yoga, yoga blocks are the perfect tool for beginners. It’s important to note, however, that yoga blocks are not only for beginners. The muscle tightness in our bodies varies daily depending on many factors. This means that even the most advanced yogis can (and should) rely on yoga blocks from time to time.
Yoga blocks help to improve your flexibility, ensuring you always have proper form during your poses, regardless of whether or not you are able to complete them at an advanced level. So, yoga blocks ensure that you always get the most out of your yoga practice while simultaneously helping you do better the next time you visit the mat.
Foam Roller
Foam rollers are the perfect complement to any workout routine, as they provide a method for recovery that’s going to keep your muscles knot-free and help ensure you can exercise to the fullest without injury.
In addition to that tension-releasing muscle massage that you get from them, foam rollers are also great for your flexibility, which will improve all of your workouts, regardless of the type. If you’re looking for a better range of motion and improved flexibility, this tool will definitely help get you there.
There are plenty of workouts out there that don’t require equipment. That being said, spending a little money on the right equipment can help take your workout from good to great. While there’s no need to break the bank here, you’re going to see a return on even the smallest of investments when it comes to the right equipment.