The Art of Having Fun

Happy & Healthy: How to Build a Home Gym

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7 years ago

With the arrival of the New Year (and with some extra sugary diet decisions behind us), we’re kicking things into gear and getting on top of our resolutions this month. And while we know it takes more than just a few fun purchases and some cute workout gear to really make those resolutions stick, we are firm believers that a little indulging (of the shopping kind) never hurt the cause! As the saying goes, “summer bodies start in winter,” and we’re feeling more determined than ever to get a head start. Let’s just say our first home gym essential is a classic GM beach aerial to keep us motivated! Besides, it always helps a workout when you have a pretty scene to look at, right? The essentials to build your own simple home gym | Gray Malin beach aerial inspiration for swimsuit season

In our opinion, one of the hardest parts of sticking to your fitness goals in the New Year is braving the crowded gym, and feeling regret on those days when we don’t make it there. So to make our fitness goals foolproof this year, we’re stocking up with the home gym essentials so we don’t miss a beat. Although the idea of a “home gym” can sound daunting and expensive, we can guarantee that all it takes is a few tried-and-true classics, your favorite workout playlist, and consistency to see change. (Trust us, a pair of dumbbells and a resistance band goes a long way!) So without further ado, here are a few of our favorite home gym essentials… Bellariva Beach, Italy - Print by Gray Malin The essentials to build your own simple home gym | Gray Malin

1.Metal Vent Tech Short Sleeve, $68 …Because every good workout starts with workout-ready attire!

2.Fitbit ‘Blaze’ Smart Fitness Watch, $179.95 Having a fitness tracker like this one is essential to tracking your progress, especially when working out at home. It keeps track of your heart rate, calories burned, steps taken, and more! And the best part? It comes with in-device apps that provide step-by-step workouts for you to train with at home.

3.Gray Malin Sydney Swimmers S’well Bottle, $42 Staying hydrated is paramount when you’re getting your sweat on, and this S’well bottle helps you do it in style. (It also keeps your drink cold for 24 hours, so what more could you ask for?) 4.Lululemon Align Pant II (Women’s), $98 Made from sweat-wicking material to help you breathe, and just flexible enough to let you move through all those killer workout moves!

5.Dynapro Exercise Resistance Bands, $19.99 Resistance bands are incredibly versatile, and an absolute must for any home gym. You can use them for everything from stretching, to bicep curls, to challenging crunches, to resisted push ups and more. Plus, you can get creative with them so you’re always challenging yourself with new exercises.

6.The Towel, $42 Sometimes you need a softer surface for those floor exercises, and this towel does just the trick. It’s perfect to place on top of your yoga mat for a slip-resistant layer to practice on.

7.Free People Good Game Tank, $58 Let’s just say sometimes a girl needs a tank with a confident, positive, and simple saying on it—even if the only record you’re trying to beat is your own.

8.The Reversible (Big) Mat, $78 Cushy enough for any floor exercise, and large enough that you don’t roll off moving from pose to pose, this BIG yoga mat is a must for your home gym.

9.Fitbit Charge 2 Special Edition Fitness Tracker, $179.95 Another fitness tracker option, except this lovely lavender variation is for the ladies.

10.South Beach Print, $249+ Every workout needs a little motivation, and what better motivation than dreaming of Miami beaches?

11.Free People Jump Rope, Neon Yellow, $38 Having a jump rope in your home gym is the perfect way to get in your cardio without any heavy equipment. You can easily get that heart rate up, no treadmill required!

12.Maroubra Bay Swimmers Print, $249+ Doesn’t that water look amazing? Hang it on your wall and think of it as your reward for a good ol’ sweat sesh.

13.B&O BeoPlay H5 Wireless In-Ear Headphones, $249 No workout is complete without some heart pumping tunes to keep those reps on beat… and these headphones are exceptionally great for your at-home workout because they are wireless, so you can set your phone to the side and sweat to your heart’s content.

14.CAP Barbell Color Coated Hex Dumbbells, $9.49+ A set of free weights is a home gym essential, and an investment that won’t go to waste. No more using the milk carton as your resistance… these pretty color coated dumbbells will serve you (and your workout) much better!

15.White Umbrellas, Amalfi Print, $249+

Sometimes we just need a print to take us away to summer, no matter what season we’re in. This one keeps our eye on the prize, all throughout our workout. These items are giving us a good dose of motivation… What about you? Will you be adding any of these pieces to your home gym this year? Time to sweat!

Xx Team GM

Photos: Nicholas Scarpinato, Gray Malin Save Save Save