Welcome to the Kim Gym

All is fair in fitness and fun. While my "home gym" is pretty bleak in comparison to some, it gets the job done. 

After all, it's not about a fancy-schmancy set-up, or an elaborate mass of equipment. It's about commitment to your own well-being. And, a little bit of creativity never hurts.

C'mon, step inside. I'll show you around and make some introductions.

First off, let just say that I've never been one to go elsewhere for my fitness fix(es). While that works well for many, and their own fitness goals and aspirations, I have found a way to get it done at home. My way is not perfect, nor is it an ideal option for everyone else...but it works for me.

Shall we begin our tour?

First off, here's the basement, where Ellie and Sebbe reside. By the way, Ellie is the elliptical, and Sebbe is the stationary bike. These two devices don't see much (if any) action in the warmer months, but they certainly come in handy during the many cold (and dark) days of winter.

 

Have I ever mentioned my love of stair-climbing? The thing is, I actually have two staircases at my disposal in the "multi-level" facility in which I reside. I probably utilize the upper-level stairway the most, and not just for stair-climbing alone. I also incorporate a lot of HIIT and strength workouts on those stairs.

Every year, I do the Fight for Air Climb, and both stairways are the main source of training. Stair-training, though, is also a great means of cardio and strength work. And, all those stairs mimic the act of running hills...we all know hills are speedwork in disguise, right?

There's also the patio. I, often times, take my workouts outdoors. The patio (on the north side of our house) has a rounded porch (suitable for step-ups or box jumps), as well as a prop for tri-dips or a "bench" for bent-over strength moves. There's also a full-size glass door, which acts as a mirror, so I can monitor my form. These outdoor workouts are kept simple and relatively low-maintenance...I just use a couple sets of dumbbells that I can either do multiple reps with or even double-up (holding both in one hand) for extra resistance. 

 

...and let's not forget the deck. This is located on the west side, just off of our mudroom. Similar to the patio, I sometimes take the hand weights out there as well, for a change of scenery. The deck is also a nice option for my yoga mat.

 

I suppose I should give a shout-out to my treadmill, Milly. Currently, Milly has been on an extended sabbatical, due to a probable retirement (she quit working in early March, and has not come back to life). I have been procrastinating on finding a replacement. Since I seldom use the treadmill, even in the cold of winter (or the heat of summer), I'm at odds on how much I'm willing to spend. 

 

...and huge props to the "little people" who play a big part. While I don't have an elaborate bench, barbell, or extensive set of hand weights, the ones I do have are well suited to my needs. These include 8-pound and 12-pound dumbbells and a 15-pound kettlebell. I also have some exercise bands (of various resistance) and a jump rope.

So, there you have it. It's not much, but it's what I got and I've done quite well with making it work for my fitness needs and goals. Besides, this at-home "facility" allows me 24/7 access, so I have zero travel time and zero excuses to get there.

A few related posts:

5 Ways to Intensify Your Workout

Stuck Inside - No Need to Hide

At-Home Workouts: Options Aplenty

HIIT'ing at Home

Taking it to the Stairs

How about you? Do you have a home gym or a designated workout room? If not, are you able to make the at-home workouts work?  

 I'm linking this with Kim and Zenaida for the Tuesday Topics Link-Up

I'm also linking with Debbie, Deborah, Lisa, Laura and Jenn for the Runners' Roundup

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