At-home gym essentials

[Ally]

I’m not sure about where you live, but in Ontario, a fourth wave of COVID is looming on the horizon, and I’m nervous the government will shut down gyms again. Thankfully, this time, I’m prepared. My partner and I invested in a bunch of at-home gym equipment last fall/winter. We have a bench, adjustable weights, yoga mats, a kettle bell, a jump rope and some stretchy bands. (We also have a foam roller that sadly spends most of its time collecting dust.)

Do you have a home gym? What do you consider essential for your home gym to be functional, equipment-wise? Do you have any advice for purchasing equipment that is affordable and doesn’t take up too much space?

[Heidi]

I’ve collected a lot of minor equipment over the past year and a half.  Except for the walking poles, most of the items were fairly inexpensive and purchased over time.  I already had hand weights in several sizes plus a big exercise ball,  I added resistance bands and tubing,  balls for the Power for Parkinson’s Youtube classes, Urban Walking Poles, boxing gloves for Rock Steady Boxing classes, a balance foam dome, jump rope, pool noodle (cut in half, used for Rock Steady Boxing), yoga mat, exercise mat, and an 8 lb medicine ball.

[Ally]

Sounds like you have a lot of great equipment on hand, Heidi. Do you think you’ll ever return to a conventional gym?

[Sandy Harnagel]

I have a stationary bicycle and an elliptical, w2hich are great machines. We have a mounted TV to watch. NOW comes the news: making yourself exercise. We do every once in a while.We go to a exercise — EOS. If you haven’t tried it __DO.

[cass]

Bought a good stationary bike Schwinn IC4 which sadly is on sale now, $200 less than what I paid.  The whole family is using it and the footprint isn’t bad.  Still feels like a good purchase.  I haven’t been to the gym since March 2020 🙁

[Ally]

Hi Cass, have you decided to return to the gym since you wrote this reply? Do you prefer exercising at home?

[Krukar]

Hi Ally,

Fraya and I use our  Ipads with the different work-out programs. I use the Blessings Health Care website they have several LSVT programs that are specific for Parkinson’s. Fraya does a program called Grow Young almost daily. We  purchased an exercise bike which I try and use often. We also have several hand weights which are useful. Our cats love it on our decks. It is so important to just keep moving. Good question. Blessings, Mike

 

 

 

[Dave Green]

I have a garage gym–a product of the pandemic. We have some flexible free weights, lots of bands, a stationary bike stand for our road bikes, and a rowing machine. The last is my favorite, but I’ve had a rowing machine for decades. It is a great exercise for the whole body.

 

[Mark]

I dont think it matters what you have or where it is. I have no equipment.

What matters is that we keep fit: I walk the dogs, swim 2km daily,box, run, cycle. Combine that with Tai Chi and yoga where possible. I hope this slows degeneration.

Mark in Kenya

[Author]

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