With gyms across New Zealand currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you might be looking to create your own setup at home to keep your fitness levels up!
If you were planning on splashing some cash to kit out your home gym you might be in trouble – fitness stores are running low on a lot of home fitness basics such as weights, dumbbells and gym mats.
However, fear not! You can still get a great workout at home with our ultimate DIY garage gym tips.
1. Give yourself some space
The first step is to give yourself some space to work out! If your garage is full of boxes, bikes or tools, it can be a hazard for your workout. Make sure you’ve got enough space to run, stretch and jump without anything in your way. You can also use floor matting to provide some support and comfort while working out.
2. Create your own weights
If you’re used to carrying sandbags for strength training, you can fill an anti-burst exercise ball about halfway with water to create an intense training tool! You can also create a medicine ball by making a hole in a basketball, filling it with sand, and then patching it up with some duct tape. Simple right?
Hand weights are becoming hard to come by, so filling up some durable water bottles with water or sand is an easy way to make your own hand weights. You can also use laundry detergent jugs or soup cans for a killer arm workout. A large water bottle with a handle can even double as a kettlebell for squats or swings. The garage is the best place for these types of workouts; it’s got enough open space and can be easily cleaned in case of sweat or spills!
3. Step it up with a chair or bench for leg raises, tricep dips and step ups
A chair or bench can make an excelled addition to your workout. Use a sturdy chair to do some tricep dips or sit on it with your legs out straight for an intense core workout!
4. Use your body!
You don’t need any sort of equipment to do a great workout. Body weight exercises can be done for all types of strengthening, cardio and toning exercises.
Pilates and Yoga are great places to start. If you’re looking for a workout plan to keep you motivated, Thor’s Chris Hemsworth is offering six weeks free of his workout app that uses no equipment (though we can’t promise you’ll get Thor abs afterwards!).
All you need is a little bit of free space, so the garage is perfect!
For more information on how to maximise your garage space with Merlin’s range of garage door openers and accessories, visit our website or call 0800 653 667.