Anonymous wrote:I have $400-500 worth of kettlebells from Amazon. Yes4all powder coated ones. I’m able to do all my strength training at home. Saves me a massive amount of time going to the gym.

Why kettlebells over normal weights? Where do you get workout plans/exercises designed around a kettlebell-only home gym?

If you do this, it would still be a good idea to check in semi-regularly with a trainer to check your form. Those big gym mirrors are more expensive than the weights, and just as important.

Yes. I have done some form of strength training for about 8 years- anything from at home programs to traditional gym to OTF to Pure Barre back to home . I really love the Madeline Moves app- you get access to 7 different programs created by personal trainers and physical therapists and pelvic floor experts for maximum impact . You can choose the 30 or 60 minute version, swap out move variations based on mobility/equipment, track the weights you use to ensure progressive overload. It’s amazing honestly. You will see great results with it even with basic at home equipment + light to moderate cardio 4-5 times a week. It’s $20 a month.

I’ve had great success with this, and it’s so much easier to be consistent when the weights are right there! I use my peloton app for strength workouts and have gradually added dumbbells as needed. I don’t need a squat rack etc but if I did I would stick with the gym because of limited space.

Anonymous wrote:It's generally cost prohibitive to buy the weights need to actually "lift heavy."

It’s an investment. I bought a new squat cage, a bar and training bar, and 45- 25- 15- 10- lb bumpers, plus 5, 2.5 and 1.25 lb plates, for about $1500 from Rogue.

It’s been in daily use for nearly ten years so far—it’s all cheaper than a gym. You do need space for it and moving the stuff is expensive.

I did this! First, my personal trainer and I recored every exercise I did, so I have a notebook of daily workouts I go through each time. Second, I bought a variety of kettle bells, dumbbells, and bar/weights (we have the space), so when I needed to go heavier, I could. I absolutely hate going to gyms, so this has been great.

I posted a “want” on my local but nothing group for weights and was easily able to get a variety including several heavier weights. No cost to me and I vastly prefer working out at home than at the gym.

Anonymous wrote:Do you have money? Because the Tonal is outstanding!

Second this. Have had it for 4 years now and still love it and use it several times a week. I’m really strong now!

I have $400-500 worth of kettlebells from Amazon. Yes4all powder coated ones. I’m able to do all my strength training at home. Saves me a massive amount of time going to the gym.

Do you have money? Because the Tonal is outstanding!

If you have the $$$ and space, it's a great idea.

A friend of mine has such a setup and it was a real lifeline when gyms were closed in 2020.

We bought a set of weights and for the average lifter, it is more than enough. For our power lifting young adult sons, they need to go to a gym to get the amount of weight to keep building muscle.

It's generally cost prohibitive to buy the weights need to actually "lift heavy."

Why not go back to the personal trainer and say what you want?

I have worked with a personal trainer and then have been doing OTF for the last 1.5 years. I am definitely stronger - but feel like I need / want to lift heavier and more consistently. I am thinking about buying weights and starting strength training at home - my concerns? Consistency? Boredom? Loneliness? Motivations? Also consistency, more flexibility in routine (though I will need a routine).

ANyone make a switch like this? I am definitely in the routine of exercising and really love it for heart mind body, and looking to level up.