As I was going through my program in the gym today, I started thinking about how much I love this gym, and that led me to think about my other favourite pieces of fitness equipment that I use very regularly and couldn’t do without.
Home Gym
Regular readers will know that I have a home gym which was purpose built, and is fantastic to work out in. I realise how very fortunate I am, to be able to do my workouts in a gym that is quiet, and set up as I would like it to be. On these cold winter mornings, it’s a huge plus to be able to walk out my back door, up a few steps and there I am, at the gym. We are 25k from town so going into town for gym everyday wouldn’t really work. The photo below shows just one corner of the gym, but what it does show are my two of my most used pieces of equipment in the gym – the weights station and the rower. Parts of the weights station are used in most of my strength workouts. I really couldn’t do without it. I use the rower most days, whether it is just to warm up or for cardio. The rowing machine is great for both strength training and cardio. I love to combine both occasionally.
Garmin Vivoactive 3
I recently upgraded my five year old Garmin, and am having a great love affair with my new Vivoactive 3. I’m able to record all my training including gym workouts, and connect to the Garmin App. There are challenges on the app which really have me hooked. Every week I participate in a Steps Challenge that is set up by Garmin. It usually has a goal of 75000 or 100000 steps in a week. Through the app you can follow your progress and the progress of other participants. I’ve even won this challenge a couple of times. It’s also possible to set up a challenge of your own with any of your friends. My partner and I have a bit of fun with our challenge. Actually it’s more than fun, as we both take it very seriously and love to have a win. Now that I have this particular Garmin, I don’t need to use any fitness phone apps. I used to use apps for mapping and interval timing mainly, but the Garmin has those functions.
Kettlebells
I only use the kettlebells once each week, as a variation from my usual weights program. My kettlebells program is the Michelle Bridges video which came with her branded kettlebell kit. There is also a great Michelle Bridges Kettlebell routine on Youtube. I find the kettlebells challenge my muscles a little differently to the weights I regularly use. They are a great addition and variation to a strength training program.
Outdoor Bike
I have a road bike and a trail bike. I really love cycling and it’s a fantastic calorie burner. I’m not able to ride as much as I’d like these days due to work and a recent injury, but watch out when I retire. I will be out there on that bike most days. At the moment, my exercise time is spent in training for The Bloody Long Walk Melbourne. As soon as that is over I will be back seriously on the bike, training for my retirement days of cycling.
Spin Bike
As well as using it as a warm up to strength training, I usually do two Les Mills RPM classes each week, on cardio days. There are many cycling classes on Youtube of all types, so it’s just a matter of what you prefer. We are in the middle of a very cold winter, with short days which don’t leave much time to get outside on the bike in daylight hours. The spin bike is perfect for winter training.
Hiking Boots
These hiking boots walked 1000k with me across Spain, in 2014, and have walked many ks with me since. Amazingly they are still showing no signs of wear. The pink laces were put in for Spain, and I haven’t gotten around to changing them back to brown. In Spain, pilgrims had to put their boots on boot racks at the accommodation. I put the pink laces in so I could easily identify my boots, in case there were others the same. They were also a great talking point, when walking and the perfect conversation starter.
Do you have a favourite piece of fitness equipment? I’d love to hear about it, so please join in the discussion. I promise to reply to all comments.
I am so jealous of your home gym, Jennifer. I’m not sure I have a favourite piece of equipment. I do love boxing though so perhaps some boxing gloves would be what I would choose.
I love boxing too Sue. But havent been ablet to do it for a while since I broke my arm. Hoping to get back to it soon
Hi Jen, just popping back to thank you for linking up and sharing and #MLSTL. I’ll be sharing on social media. Have a great week!
Thanks for sharing Sue. Enjoy your weekend.
Kettle bells are great. I find they are so much better on the body than the traditional weights.
I agree Leanne. Kettlebell workouts are great.
Hi Jen, love your gym too! Do you subscribe to YouTube for cycling video’s or use free ones?
Hi Carmel, thanks for visiting. I only use the free Les Mills or Spin workouts on YouTube. Have never subscribed as I find the free ones are enough. Not all of them are great of course, which is why I mainly stick with Les Mills. I’ll post my favourite up in the next few days. Carmel, one of my biggest regrets is that I didn’t do the PT course with you.
I have no understanding of people who love gym equipment Jennifer – I have great admiration for them, but no comprehension of how you can love exercise and all that goes with it. I wish I could say that I love our gym room, but I think of it more as a torture chamber!
Thanks for linking up with us at #MLSTL and I’ve shared this on my SM x
Thanks for giving me a laugh Leanne. It’s great that we’re all different. Thanks for visiting and sharing.
Hi Jennifer,
I have a home gym as well. I’m not as committed as you are, but there are several pieces of equipment that I love. My Precor treadmill is terrific, as are the wireless headphones that let me easily hear whatever movie I’m watching while I walk – even over the treadmill noise. I love my BOSU, medicine ball, and especially my Precor stretch trainer because it automatically puts my body in the correct positions for the different stretches. Before the trainer, I tended to shortcut stretching because I was never sure I was doing it right.
The one piece of equipment I’d love is a Pilates Reformer. That’s the workout I do with my trainer now and I absolutely love it. Unfortunately they are expensive. #MLSTL
Thanks for visiting Karen. I love that your favourites are entirely different from mine. I’m fairly sure I’d love the stretch trainer even though I’ve never used one. I love a good stretch.
Every time I read one of your posts, I am more encouraged to step out of my comfort zone and start a lifetime exercise routine. This shouldn’t be so difficult … but somehow I make the first step insurmountable. Thank you for the constant nudge to move forward…
Just start with baby steps Molly. Everything big starts with something small. Happy to keep nudging. Thanks for visiting.
Okay, I promise to use my elliptical more often next week. Honest! 😉
#MLSTL visitor (shared on SM)
That’s good to hear Donna. Check back in and let me know. Thanks for sharing