Eliza Peabody has several pieces of equipment in her home gym, but it didn’t happen overnight. “It’s really evolved over time. It started with a kickboxing setup during COVID since that was the main workout I was doing then. During my first pregnancy, we added the Peloton, then a rower and weights,” the Hampton resident explained. “Going through two pregnancies since COVID changed the ways I work out, so the equipment has expanded with that.”
The home workout space makes it easier for Peabody to stick to an exercise routine in her otherwise busy schedule. “There’s nothing more efficient than being able to work out right in your own house. I don’t always have an hour or more to work out, especially since having two toddlers and working a demanding full-time job, but I know I can at least get in something if it’s right at home,” she explained.
Like many people with a home workout space, Peabody also works out at another location—MOVE Power Yoga in Seven Fields. “I love fitness classes, and that is really always my number-one choice when it comes to working out because I love the community. I’m someone who does workouts so I don’t have to think. I love having a teacher tell me what to do,” she said. “I don’t do any of my own programming at home either; I mostly do lifting classes via the Peloton app. It’s a great mix because I can get the group and community vibe, but if one of the kids is sick, or I just want to do something quick in between meetings, I can go downstairs and do it.”
Hannah Barber, owner of MOVE Power Yoga, has an extensive background and education in sports medicine and exercise science. “I have always had a passion for fitness and really enjoyed incorporating yoga and lifting into my athletes’ rehabilitation programs. I decided to complete my 200-hour yoga training and fell in love with guiding others on their wellness journeys. This has evolved into my and my family’s lifestyle. We understand the importance of promoting healthy living through daily activity,” she said.
Starting small and adding to your home equipment, as Peabody did, is smart, Barber said. “People need to consider their goals when setting up a home gym. Understanding the purpose of the gym and when they plan to use it is important,” she said. “Putting together a gym that supports you and your goals is vital. Keep it simple and incorporate items that are essential to you. You do not need to go overboard with equipment. You know what works best for you and your body.”
The location of your home gym is also important. “Only place the gym somewhere that will support your schedule and your family’s schedule. Think about the environment you want to create. The environment has to help you find convenience, consistency, and physical and mental benefits,” Barber said.
As a business owner with two small children, Barber finds her home gym is important for her own fitness. “It allows me to be flexible with my schedule whenever I can’t make it to the studio. It also complements my yoga routine by incorporating additional strength training and cardio,” she said.
Barber added, “My advice is that if you’re interested in adding a home gym to your space, always weigh the pros and cons. Assess your home space, define your personal fitness and wellness goals, start with the basics to get you going, create a motivating space, and invest in yourself.”
Rachel Berry, personal trainer and certified exercise physiologist at Steel City Fortitude Fitness with a B.S. in exercise science and a master’s in public health, also suggests planning before establishing a home gym. “There are several things to consider—budget, how much space you have, and your goals,” she said.
Knowing your goals is extremely important. “If you want to build muscle, you need equipment to load your muscles. Strength training is contracting your muscles through resistance. In order to build muscle, you will need enough resistance to make the exercise challenging, and the goal would be to increase your weights for the sets and reps,” Berry said.
Berry suggested starting slowly when purchasing equipment, then adding as you go. “I would recommend having a couple of pairs of dumbbells if you are thinking of making a home gym. You can do a full-body workout with the dumbbells and have a few weights to be able to increase the difficulty. As you get stronger, you can always buy a heavier pair so you don’t have to invest all your money at once,” she said.
For those on a budget, Berry had some pointers on what to avoid. “Impulse buys or buying too much at once. If you are starting a new routine, buy a few things and make sure you stick to your routine before buying too much and never using the equipment,” Berry said. “Check resale sites like Facebook Marketplace for people selling used equipment that has barely been used.”
Nicole Hoffman is one of Berry’s clients who has a home gym to supplement her workouts. “I chose equipment that I could store easily in my office space. I have a few dumbbells, a kettlebell, resistance bands, and a mat that I can tuck away in my closet. I am still able to get the benefit of a full-body workout using these items,” she said.
“I work out with Rachel once a week. She helps keep me accountable and ensures that I am doing my strength training with the correct form,” Hoffman said. “For me, knowing that I will see her each week helps me keep up with my workouts in between, because I know she will ask me what I have done in between sessions.”
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