Tuesday, August 3, 2021

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:

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, DeborahLisaLaura and Jenn for the Runners' Roundup

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29 comments:

  1. Love it! Your home gym has everything you need! And it isn't even that small, especially with your outdoor options.
    We live in a very small apartment (1 bedroom, 1 front room) and our home gym consists of a mat, dumbbells and loop bands.
    I don't think you need a replacement for Millie. Most of the time, you run outdoors (the best!) and if it gets really cold you always have Ellie and Sebbe.

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    1. I actually don't mind walking with Milly in the winter, believe it or not. Running is a whole different ball game LOL

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  2. I also enjoy working out in my fitness room. :) I am also quite happy that my husband was able to revive my treadmill again. For us it's almost always been the controller. Dr. Treadmill apparently sells them, so much less to fix it than to buy a new one.

    Of course I use mine a bit more than you. ;)

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    1. I might have to look into that! Milly is at least 20 years old (we got her before we moved to Iowa...but I didn't really do much treadmill time in the first few years). I don't know iif she is beyond repair or not LOL

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  3. Yes, having a home gym is the way to go. Ours is a small room in our basement plus a pull up bar upstairs and we have everything that we need. It's quite a step up from my apartment days when my "gym" was two sets of dumbbells.

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    1. Right, it doesn't not have to be big or extensive to get the workouts done!

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  4. I love all the different areas you use for your workouts. And I agree with Catrina, I don't think you need to replace Millie if you run outdoors most of the time anyway. I wish I had space for a treadmill (because I'd love to run on the tread in the winter time when it's cold/dark outside), but I only have space for a bike right now. So all of my runs have to happen during daylight hours.

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    1. While I have not missed treadmill running the past several months, I do appreciate having it as an option during the winter. It's crazy brutal in Iowa with the cold temps, wind chill and ice.

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  5. I always love that you take your strength workouts outdoors when possible!

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    1. Outside is my favorite place...I'm glad I'm able to utilize the great outdoors on many occasions ;-)

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  6. The convenience of a home workout is definitely a 'pro' though I do like joining a friend occasionally for an in-person class to switch things up. We recently purchased a bigger weight set for the basement (the adjustable Bowflex ones) but sometimes I just use my old dumbbells as they just easier to transport! I am sure non-runners need a lot more elaborate gyms :) 75% of the time, the great outdoors is my gym...though we know that sometimes the ice is too much and the indoors has to happen for running!

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    1. I've been looking for a set of 15-pound dumbbells...but those are hard to find! I"d like a few more "weight" options, for sure, but I have been able to work with what I have by double-holding the ones I do have on occasion.

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  7. I like how you take advantage of everything you have at your disposal to do a wide variety of workouts.

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    1. Variety is key for me! I believe in mixing things up, from time to time, to keep it interesting. Taking some of my workouts outdoors has been a fun option ;-)

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  8. I do have the back room for my equipment, but I share it with the shoes and my hubs' closet. Fortunately, I'm not back there too much. BTW, I got my TM replacement for a very reasonable $600. No bells and whistles, but for the little that I use it, it's perfect.

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    1. I need to do a little research on TM's to see what's out there. I don't need any excess bells or whistles either, but I do appreciate having it as a back-up in the winter when it's just too cold and dangerous to run outdoors.

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  9. I love being able to work out at home! I dont think I'll ever join a gym again. The only thing I wish I had was a rack for my heavy barbell. Its been tricky to get it up for things like chest presses on the bench.

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    1. Yeah, I've never been a gym gal, and I know just enough to get it done at home. No desire to go elsewhere LOL

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  10. Your home gym is perfect, you have many options to stay fit.
    In the past I had a workout room with a treadmill and many instruments but now I don't use it anymore for many reasons: here the weather is always good so I prefer to run outside; after the incident on my right shoulder I cannot do anymore many exercises and, last but not least, if I didn't pay attention the treadmill became our cats' w.c.

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    1. I much prefer to be outside as well. Especially in the summer, I keep the strength training pretty low-key and in more of a maintenance mode since I'm usually training for Fall races (and the running needs to be more the focus).

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  11. Yep, you have everything you need! I prefer working out at home for the convenience, but am a little more limited than you. We don't have stairs, and I don't have a designated workout space (I just move my mat and weights around to whatever room is convenient.). I"ll probably end up back at the gym at some point, but for now my "poor man's home gym" is working for me.

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    1. I have learned that a true gym (at home or in an actual "real" brick and mortar location) is only as useful as the athlete's motivation. I think one can get in many effective workouts at home, with minimal equipment or accessories...so that's the mindset I have LOL

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  12. Well this is a timely post - I did use my home gym today! First time in a very long time. I had considered just napping on the floor because the cleanness and organized look of the space was wonderful (compared to the rest of my house!), but I did a short weight workout. I don't ever do my strength workouts outside at my house. Maybe I should try it! Your set up looks great!

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    1. Yes, do try taking a few sets of hand weights outdoors sometime. Also, body weight exercises are just as effective on cement as they are on carpet LOL

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  13. I would love to come work out with you at your house, or better yet, have you come to my house and whip me into shape...lol. I do have a dedicate workout room with a bike, treadmill, and Bowflex, but it doesn't get used much. I prefer to be outside! -M

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    1. Why thank you!! It would be fun if we lived closer to each other ;-)

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  14. This is awesome1. Over the years I've read about the various exercise equipments you have at home. However, now it is nice to see everything in one post. I love it! For sure you do not need a gym membership since you have everything at home.

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  15. "It's about commitment to your own well-being."
    YES YES YES
    Sometimes I hate how the weights, yoga blocks and mat get "in the way" but they're just as useful as the books, which I never think of as in the way. Glad you have so many workout spaces. Your house sounds a lot like mom's in having a porch, deck and patio. Oddly that's a rarity in this area, or seems to be

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  16. You've got everything you need and like you said, "It's about commitment" and you've certainly got a big dose of that!

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