I like the idea of getting fitter for cheap, Fit4Less in Canada is a great option among budget friendly gyms. BUT I would like to pay lesser! So I have purchased some fitness equipment that is small, cheap, light in order to keep them in a duffle bag. That’s right, my home gym can stay at home, but also get carried anywhere I go!
I have purchased few items over time(probably for some years), and here are the most useful ones!
1. Yoga mat
You can find them from any dollar stores or get nice ones like lululemon, but I’m cheap so I got one for $10 CAD. It was actually my wife’s, but I took it because she doesn’t use it… then it’s FREE!
I can use it for stretching, bodyweight exercise, knee pad for ab wheels, sound proofing mat for cardio, nap pad, etc. One of the best $10 purchase in my life.
2. Ab wheel
I believe I bought it at Canadian Tire for $15. It looks very similar to this one, and it’s great. It will make your whole core work! I cannot even do a standing rollout yet so that’s what I would love to try.
3. Jump rope
When I learned boxing, skipping was the most effective way to keep my cardio than running because you are constantly stepping in and out, changing angles. If your calf muscles are weak, you get tired, your legs get slow, you lose balance easily. I’ve bought several PVC jump ropes from dollar stores but they never lasted long so I bought this steel wire one for $17CAD. I got a timer app on my phone for 6 rounds of 3 minutes, 1 minute break in between. it’s only 18 minutes but I do slow, fast skipping and double under as interval, so it’s hard!
4. Exercise ball
Another cheap purchase under $20CAD. It folds when deflated, light enough so that my kids can even hold up! I use this for stretching or relaxation but also for a lot of core workout. I’m trying to finish alphabet from A to Z while plank and squat on a ball at least 15 reps.
5. Shoes
I have 2 pairs of shoes for exercise, 1 for running and the other for boxing. My boxing shoes are about $50CAD including shipping from Korea but I got them from my parents, so FREE 🙂 They are light and the soles are thin, flat so they are great for steps. I used to have a pair of high top boxing shoes, but it just takes forever to put them on and take off 😦 So I love this mid top.
My running shoes are New Balance Men’s Fuelcore Quick, They were about $60CAD. They are like feathers, flexible but still supporting. I run 5-7K, 2-3 times a week, so far I had no issues.
6. Resistance bands
A bag of bands, anchor, ankle straps and handles for $50… I don’t use it often and I’m not fully satisfied by how those bands aren’t really same as real weights… but I do use it occasionally. They still fit in my duffle bag and I can use it anytime, anywhere. I use them for core workout, shoulder recovery movement, strength workout for swimming or punching. I didn’t snap any of the bands yet!
7. Boxing gloves
A fine pair of gloves costed about $50CAD. They aren’t Twins, Grant, Rival or any of named, but I don’t need them since I am not really fighting anyways. I’m old :). They aren’t worn out yet even though I hit tires… I’d say they are finer than I expected.
Quite a list of what I own, right? They still fit in my big duffle bag! The cost is about $300, but I gathered them for years… I’d say they are good purchase for a minimal home gym. Fit4Less costs about $3-400 a year so I had a sweet deal. To be honest, I can use my body weight and don’t need any of the items above and save more money, but they are nice things to have and I use many of them very often.
Now, there are equipment that doesn’t fit in a duffle bag.
1. 40lbs heavy bag
I bought it secondhand for $40 on facebook. I wanted a heavy bag to hit but I realized that 40lbs is a bit too light and the basement ceiling is a bit too low, so I use this as a weight for squats or press. I may add straps to be able to do some rows too.
2. DIY Balance board
My friend and I made this balance board with 3/8 inches plywood and a 4 inch ABS pipes you can find at any hardware stores. The plan is very similar to this blog post. It is fun to learn how to balance on it and do squats, push ups, plank. The cost was about $50.
3. DIY standing heavy bag
I’ve always wanted to have one but the price went from $200 to over $500 during COVID… So I made one! I got some old tires from local mechanic shops, drilled holes and secured with bolts, nuts and washers purchased from https://canadabolts.ca/. Make sure you get the right size, length bolts… My order was about $45 including shipping, so I saved about 90%!
4. Kids
Yes, that’s right. My 10 years old and 6 years old kids. I use them as weights and they love it! They aren’t certainly free depending on how much they eat and don’t forget about the education programs we do for them… they aren’t cheap!!! 🙂 But the joy of listening to their laughter while I do squats and press makes everything even. AND they grow too 🙂
5. Pullup bar
This doorway pullup bar was amazon returned product so I purchased it cheaper($75CAD) than the original price($120). It did have the original box and everything looked brand new. The most important part was that I was looking for a pullup bar that I can set up on the door frame quickly and it is elevated so that I don’t have to bend my legs up to 90 degrees. This is not the ideal pullup bar but at the same time I can just take it down and put it at a corner. I should do more of pullups!!
6. Staircase and door frames
My most expensive home gym equipment is….. the home itself!! I won’t leave any details how much the rent we pay but I use stairs to do some leg workout, end of finished floor(or fascia?) for my grip strength(I just hold onto the edge of fascia until failure) or hanging leg raises, door frames to anchor my resistence bands or set up the pullup bar.
pretty random archives 