Let’s face it – training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu isn’t cheap, and adding a gym membership on top of that makes it even more expensive, especially in New York City, where gym memberships can sometimes cost over $200 per month.
Realizing that my workouts primarily focus on functional movements designed for injury prevention, I realized that I could get in an excellent workout in the convenience of my own home, and for a fraction of the cost of a gym membership.
Kettlebells
The first item in my gym was to purchase a set of kettlebells. I’m a huge proponent of Pavel Tsatsouline’s approach to kettlebell training, especially his Simple & Sinister program. As kettlebells form the nucleus of my training program, I picked up four of them: 1 x 12kg, 2 x 16kg, and 1 x 20kg. Something like this AmazonBasics Cast Iron Kettlebell will work just fine. It’s economical and is well balanced.
Exercise Mat
I also needed a gym mat so that I could have a solid surface for my feet to grip, and for a bit of padding. I find that this Gxmmat Large Yoga Mat works great and is very reasonably priced.
Pull-Up Bar and TRX Suspension Trainer
Living in a New York City apartment, space is always an issue. I purchased this AmazeFan Pullup Bar and it has worked great. It installs easily, takes up very little space, and hangs very securely.
On the pull-up bar, I hang my TRX Suspension Trainer, which I use for some recovery exercises when my shoulder acts up or simply to vary my strength training routine.
Summary
I also keep around a foam roller, my white belt (for assistance when stretching), and my Withings Body+ Scale. The scale is extremely helpful for tracking progress and for making sure I on track to make weight when preparing for competition.
Altogether, my home gym cost about $500 and has everything I need. I love working out from home and my workouts are incredibly focused. I highly recommend a home gym to everyone.
To view the AmazonBasics Cast Iron Kettlebell on Amazon, click here.
To view the Gxmmat Large Yoga Mat on Amazon, click here.
To view the AmazeFan Pullup Bar on Amazon, click here.
To view the TRX GO Suspension Trainer on Amazon, click here.
To view the Withings Body+ Scale on Amazon, click here.
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