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There’s a significant and proven correlation between physical and mental health! Regular exercise not only maintains and strengthens your body, but also releases endorphins and provides a sense of growth and accomplishment. This is why most therapists will also recommend you exercise regularly, and we at Azevedo Family Psychology are no exception.
But with COVID-19 still raging, heading to your local gym might seem unappealing. Not to fear: creating a home gym can be done for relatively little money in an existing space.
Cardio
Your best option for cardio at home is a stationary bike. Modern stationary bikes can fold away when not in use, and even basic models feature electronics to track your mileage, speed, and calories burned. You may be tempted to splurge on a Peloton, a fancy bike with classes and online competition built in. But if you want the experience without the cost, you can also just buy the app to get the core experience without some of the online features.
Treadmills are more cumbersome to set up, but those who work from home can consider an under-the-desk treadmill. Not only do these units let you get some exercise while glued to the computer, they’re also more compact than traditional treadmills.
Want to gamify your cardio? If you have a Nintendo Switch, RingFit Adventure is a great way to add some fun to your workout. Using the console’s motion sensing controllers and a special peripheral, RingFit integrates both strength training and cardio into its fun and colorful game world.
Strength
An ideal home gym would have a squat rack, barbells, and a bench. But most of us simply don’t have the space for such equipment. The TRX is an interesting solution: it’s a simple strap that hooks to a wall or ceiling mount. Instead of weights, the TRX uses your own body weight as resistance for a wide range of exercises, all for a low cost and almost no space.
The TRX has a few downsides, shoulder and leg workouts. You can easily supplement these with resistance bands or an EZ-bar with plate weights. Both options take very little space and can be set up by the average user.
Therapy and exercise are a powerful and proven combination for better mental health! If you think you could benefit from therapy, contact Azevedo Family Psychology today.
