Exercise Equipment and Accessories When I first heard about Cross Fit workouts I wanted to know if it was possible to do Cross Fit workouts at home, or if to be able to do them it would be necessary to join a gym.
Since you are reading this, I assume you are wondering the same thing and I’m pleased to be able to tell you that yes, it certainly is possible to do Cross Fit workouts at home – – – but more on that later. First, let’s take a look at exactly what Cross Fit is.
When done on a regular basis, Cross Fit workouts are one of the most effective ways of developing lean muscle tone and achieving a very high level of fitness in a short period of time. This comprehensive exercise works by increasing and optimizing athleticism in the ten recognized areas of fitness, these being cardio and respiratory endurance, strength, stamina, power, speed, flexibility, agility, coordination, accuracy and balance.
Cross Fit workouts combine a variety of components which may include weight training using dumbbells, barbells and kettle bells, sprinting, climbing, throwing rubber tires, jumping rope, rowing, and using medicine balls, pull-up bars and gymnastic rings. While the workout is intense, each element is short with an entire session typically lasting just fifteen to twenty minutes.
Not all of the above components will be used during the one session. Due to the wide range of activities and equipment that can be utilized during a workout, no two need ever be exactly the same. Read on to find out more about Cross Fit and decide if doing Cross Fit workouts at home could be for you.
Who is Cross Fit For?
Cross Fit is for anyone who wants to build muscle tone and increase their strength, fitness level, balance and flexibility. Once the domain of fire fighters, members of the military and police force, elite athletes and others whose profession necessitates they be in peak physical form, it has gone mainstream in recent times with an increasing number of people in a wide range of age groups taking it up. These people like that the sport offers a varied workout that never gets boring. Challenging, yes, there’s no doubt about it, but most people who get into it soon become hooked.
What Does a Typical Cross Fit Workout Consist Of?
An example of a typical Cross Fit workout would be 50 lunges, 50 kettle bell swings, a 60 second sprint, 50 one-legged squats, 50 push-ups, 60 seconds of rope jumping, 50 box-jumps, followed by 50 hanging knees-to-elbows. Your next session might consist of push-ups, burgees, air-squats, lunges, sit-ups, Russian Twists, planks, and sprints or longer runs. Your next session would be different again, and so on and so forth. Exercising in this manner constantly challenges the muscles and, as a result, they tone up fast. While the thought of doing all of the above in quick succession may be daunting, the exercises can be tailored to suit an individual’s fitness level.
Whether you’re a beginner to Cross Fit or more experienced , it’s great to have the option of being able to do Cross Fit workouts at home. To do Cross Fit workouts at home, you will need some exercise equipment. While it’s always nice to have the proper equipment, if you are on a tight budget use whatever you have at your disposable that will do the job – more on this below.
If you can afford just one piece of exercise equipment for now, make it a jump rope. If you can afford a second piece of exercise equipment, go with a kettle bell. These two items will give you a good base from which to start, and you can add to them later as your budget permits. Meanwhile, with a little imagination and improvisation, you will be able to do Cross Fit workouts at home using furniture and other household items and fixtures that you can find in many parks. You can even make your own kettle bell if necessary. Keep reading to find out how.
Maybe you can’t afford to invest in Cross Fit equipment right now or maybe you want to test the waters before outlaying any money, or you just want get started right away. Whatever the reason, you can easily make your own exercise equipment to use in your Cross Fit workouts at home.
Don’t have access to a kettle bell? No problem! Fill an empty plastic milk or juice bottle with water or sand, and use that. Don’t have a barbell? Fill two empty plastic bottles with water or sand, secure these to either end of a metal rod, and there’s your barbell.
While a home gym will mean being able to do exercises such as triceps dips and pull-ups, you can still do these without one. A concrete ledge, the jungle gym at your local park or even a sturdy tree branch can be a great substitute for a pull-up bar, while a stable chair or a park bench is ideal for doing dips. Think outside the square and you should be able to find suitable substitutes for just about any piece of exercise equipment you will need while doing your Cross Fit workouts at home.