My Home Gym - Updated!

My Home Gym is always changing. As a shift worker, I find it increasingly difficult to commit to regular classes/sessions at a gym etc. Working out at home is easier and convenient. At least it means I have no excuse for NOT working out!

- Kettlebell - I've had "Brutus" for a few months now and really enjoy my workouts with him! Brutus is 8 kg which is a decent weight for beginners/intermediates. Suitable for swings, shoulder presses, snatches etc. But I will need to upgrade to a heavier one soon.

- Tennis Ball. A great tool for loosening up my Piriformis Muscle which is an ongoing problem for me. Rolling around on the tennis ball on the floor is incredibly painful sometimes but releases the knots in my Gluteals.



- Sandbag. I am loving my sandbag, especially if I can't make it to the gym for weight training. This is ideal for those home workouts. Fill with sand, kitty litter or gravel for a great full body workout. Suitable for squats, lunges etc. My plan is to tuck the empty bag into my backpack, jump on my bicycle, ride to the beach and fill my sandbag for a workout on the beach. Bring on the sunny weather!


- Foam Roller. Wow, I love my foam roller. It is an amazing tool for a warm up, a cool down and anything in between. It gets into all of the muscles and can hurt like hell! But I still swear by it for recovery. It's one of the best tools I have ever discovered!

- Medicine Ball. Awesome for planks, push ups and throwing against a wall. A Medicine Ball can do wonders for your core.

- Skipping Rope. I LOVE my skipping rope even more so now that I have a massive terrace to work out on. I love being outside in the sun and jumping my way to health! I'm quite proficient now at Double Unders! (passing the rope beneath your feet twice between ground contact).


- Fit Ball. I had a Fit Ball in the past but haven't had one for a while. I recently won one in a competition and can't wait to make use of it!

- Chin Up Bar. I recently bought my second chin up bar and have it set up in the doorway of the spare bedroom. I still have a LOT of work to do to be able to perform true chin ups let along pull ups, but at least I now have a chance to practice!

- Power Bands. One of the best items that can be packed away for travel. I use mine to assist with pull ups. Since injuring my collar bone and shoulder in a biking accident, these guys are helping me to increase my upper body strength. 

-Yoga Mat. Vital for my Yoga practice and stretches. I also love my mat for head-stand practice (I have a sensitive scull!)

There are still some items I would love to add to my home gym, a Box so I can perform Box Jumps, Elevated Lunges etc among others. I have an awesome outdoor space (a massive terrace which is unusual for a city apartment) that I love making use of in the summer months!

Speaking of which, I so CANNOT WAIT for summer! BRING IT ON!!

July Challenge - Chin Ups

I haven't been able to do true chin-ups since I was a kid. A while back I gave myself a challenge to perform perfect chin-ups. At the time I didn't even own a chin-up bar. Going to the nearest playground was my only option and not very convenient.

I now have my second chin-up bar set up in the door way of our spare bedroom. (The first one was damaging the door frame) I purchased one of those over the top of the door frame gadgets. It's easy to set up and easy to remove.

Needless to say I can now do one chin-up! (Yeah, just one at this stage)

So my challenge for the month of July is to be able to perform multiple chin-ups, whether that be five or two, I need to improve past just one rep!

Does anyone have any hints or advice as to how to successfully reach this challenge? Any help is appreciated!

:)

Chin-Up Challenge

So, I've set myself a challenge. Do complete 5 x true to form Chin-Ups in 8 weeks (at a minimum, more if possible)

Chin-ups are something I have failed to achieve since I was a child. I have tried many times and failed, but I'm determined to succeed this time.

Chin-ups are so damn hard. I've been going to the local playground and practising on the monkey bars (unsuccessfully). Today I tried a different approach. Instead of trying to pull myself up, I'm starting at the top of the move and lowering myself down as slowly as possible. Damn, I felt the burn, but I feel like I've achieved something.

When I was lifting weights in the gym, Bicep Curls were achievable, but again using your own body weight is so much harder yet much more satisfying.

Chin-ups use so much more than your Biceps to lift your body weight, I can feel my shoulder, lats and stomach muscles all working in unison. A much better workout than boring Bicep Curls!

So, in 8 weeks time I WILL be able to perform real chin-ups.......Who wants to join me on this challenge?