Many gyms and fitness centers had to close in light of the pandemic. While some remain open with restrictions, most people are still uncomfortable with the idea of extended exposure to people in an enclosed space or sharing equipment with strangers.
Because of this, many have resorted to working out at home instead. But just how much does it cost to stay in shape during a pandemic? Read on to find out.
How to stay fit and healthy at home
Read on to learn more about staying fit and healthy in the comforts of your own home.
Finding your space
To start, you’ll need to have ample space to exercise at home. Depending on the type of workout you intend to do, the amount of space you need can range from a small 2.5m by 1.5m area to as large as an entire garage.
Total cost: FREE
Choosing a mat
A mat is necessary for working out at home, no matter the kind of exercise.
For those who want to get into floor exercises like yoga, pilates or even planks, a simple yoga mat will suffice. These can be as cheap as PHP 250. They are quite thin and tend to get sticky after some time, so you may need to replace them after months of constant use.
For more general workouts including push-ups, jump ropes, and HIIT exercise, you’ll want something with a bit more padding to absorb some of the shock. You can get 6 mm TPE yoga mats. This costs anywhere from PHP 1,000 for basic varieties to PHP 4,500 for pro-quality ones.
Total cost: starts from PHP 250
Buying weights
If you’re looking to do some weights, you can easily buy dumbbells by the pair, so it doesn’t cause a big dent on your wallet. Dumbbells generally go for around PHP 500 to PHP 1,000 per kilogram.
To get more mileage out of your weights, you may want to invest in adjustable weights so you can easily add or remove plates depending on your workout. A set totaling 40 kg will cost you about PHP 6,000.
Total cost: starts from PHP 500
Adding other apparatus
You may need other workout equipment to stay fit at home, such as blocks, medicine balls, jump ropes, and resistance bands. The good news is, with the rise in popularity of online shopping apps like Lazada and Shopee, you can buy any of these for a fairly cheap price. Foam blocks cost around PHP 200, while a jump rope will go for around PHP 500. A complete set of loop resistance bands is around PHP 1,500, while a medicine ball costs PHP 1,000.
Keep in mind that you don’t need to have all these at home. It depends on the workout you intend to do.
Total cost: starts from PHP 200
Stocking up on cleaning supplies
Don’t forget the cleaning supplies! You’ll be sweating a lot in your home gym, breeding a lot of bacteria and germs. You’ll want to regularly disinfect and clean your workout space to keep it sanitary.
Stock up on disinfectant wipes (PHP 40) or sprays (PHP 250), a rag (PHP 5) dedicated to your workout gear, and always have a towel nearby.
Total cost: Starts from PHP 40
Joining classes
If you find it easier to work out with a class, there are tons of options available for you online.
You can join a group class if this motivates you to work out. If you like the atmosphere of a class but don’t want to spend on one, there are also a lot of YouTube channels that simulate the effect of one.
Just keep experimenting and trying different ones until you find the one you like best. You can join online classes for as low as PHP 200 per session or if you’re on a budget, you can try out different classes for free on YouTube.
Total cost: starts from PHP 0 and can go up to PHP 1000 per session
Eating healthy food
Staying fit doesn’t just end with working out. To stay in shape, you also have to be mindful about what you eat.
You don’t need to subscribe to a fitness delivery plan or order expensive supplements to stay healthy. Make sure you eat whole foods and avoid fast food. This means opting for brown rice over white rice, eating a lot of fruits and vegetables, and loading up on protein.
Total cost: starts from PHP 100 per meal (home-cooked) or PHP 350 per meal (delivery service)
All in all, it may cost you anywhere from as little as PHP 250 for a yoga mat to over P70,000 for a fully equipped home gym.
Keep in mind you don’t have to build your home gym all at once. You can do it bit by bit, adding more equipment each month until you’ve completed the gym of your dreams.
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