Fitness
How I set up my Sh350,000 home gym
Busy schedules, competing priorities and lack of self-confidence are among the top reasons why people do not go to the gym even when they want to. These are just a few obstacles people face when trying to find the motivation to exercise in communal gyms.
From navigating the traffic—that is commonplace during peak gym hours—to lacking social energy to exercise in crowded spaces, to queuing for gym machines and locker rooms, achieving your body goals can seem like an unattainable dream for many.
Except that it does not have to be. If this is you, home gyms are your saving grace.
If you have the space and a small starting budget, you can put together a gym that works for you. So, what does it take to set up a gym in your house and what are the benefits? BDLife spoke to Eshuchi Lumumba, a longtime fitness enthusiast who works as a teacher, recording musician and interior designer in Nairobi.
“The idea to have a gym in my house came from the inconveniences I faced about two and half years ago after I moved from Nairobi’s Lavington to Ruaka. Going to the gym meant I would have to detour at least four times a week—the number of times I work out weekly,” he says.
Eshuchi Lumumba does a dumbbell bench press exercise at his home gym in Ruaka, Kiambu County on September 3, 2024.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
The detours meant he would spend up to two hours in traffic jams just to get to the gym for a one-hour workout session.
“The time spent on the road did not make sense to me and when I looked around, I didn’t find a gym that had the right equipment to suit my workout needs,” he says.
He quickly did the math and concluded that, if he put together the monthly subscription fees as a lump sum amount, he would save the money in the long term and have his equipment to himself.
“As an interior designer, planning and designing the space was a no-brainer, I installed a floor-to-ceiling mirror—just to transpose the communal gym to my private space. I mounted a few of my photos on another wall to complete that feeling. I added some downlighters to boost aesthetics and also provide ample lighting for my photography (he is big on that),” he says.
His research before embarking on this process helped him to make informed purchases.
Eshuchi Lumumba works out on an ab roller at his home gym in Ruaka on September 3, 2024.
“When I went shopping, I knew what I could do without. For example, I don’t have a treadmill. It is bulky and takes up a lot of space. I can easily achieve similar results by setting up another station that doesn’t eat so much space,” he says.
When building your home gym, functionality and effectiveness are key drivers of the decision-making process. Unlike in the case of public gyms, you might not have the space, money and need for some equipment. What works for you depends on what you are trying to achieve with your body.
Strength training
To optimise his gym’s functionality, Lumumba first installed a rack cage. He then bought enough plates for his strength training and hired a metal fabricator to build a rack for his dumbells.
“Most, if not all, types of equipment that need installation in the gym will come with a manual. To cut costs, you can read the manual and install them yourself. This also helps you familiarise yourself with what you have in case there is a need to disassemble or fix loose nuts.”
He fixed the floor himself as well.
“It would have cost me about Sh10,000 to arrange the interlocking floor mats. This would have been an unnecessary cost since this is something that anyone can do easily.”
Eshuchi Lumumba works out at his home gym in Ruaka, Kiambu County on September 3, 2024.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
Does it make economic sense in the long run? “Yes, it does. Over time, I have spent less on putting up my gym than I would have spent on subscription fees over the last two and a half years,” he says.
He has spent Sh350,000 this far. Money, he says, is a fraction of what he would have paid for a decent gym subscription.
“When you think about it, it is a save for me,” he says.
Having a gym at home encourages laziness, many would argue. It could be one of those things you are extremely psyched about when setting up but only getting to use once in a while. Lumumba disagrees.
“I have to remind myself not to go to the gym more than my body requires. To my advantage, I can use it any time I want. Additionally, having it here means I don’t have to wake up earlier than I should in the morning to beat traffic both on the road and at various stations in the gym,” he says.
Eshuchi Lumumba works out at his home gym in Ruaka, Kiambu County on September 3, 2024.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
Besides saving on time and costs, a personal gym enhances your privacy. Some people lack the confidence to train in spaces with strangers or might have depleted social batteries. Public gyms become a great hurdle in their fitness journey—a contranym by any definition but a valid reason not to show up for the reps or any gym activity. Others demand privacy for religious reasons.
“Your own space guarantees you maximum privacy from any people or energies you don’t want to interact with. It also pulls you back from the pressure of doing things in the gym because either a trainer or a fellow gym user is doing them. It saves you from a crowd’s workout guilt when you can’t reach certain levels as your other gym compatriots. It reminds you to do things at your own pace,” he tells BDLife.
What about maintenance? “Treat your home gym as you would any other room. It requires regular cleaning and sometimes, specialised cleaning. Just like the public gym, disinfecting surfaces should be routine. Additionally, having good aeration in the room ensures you keep the gym and the rest of the house fresh,” he says.
Does having a personal gym mean one stops going to the public gym? “I go to my local gym when I want a change of environment. There is no guilt in going to places you once frequented,” he says.
Fitness
Adults hop on viral ‘rebounding’ trend to make exercise fun again — ‘I feel like a kid’
Forget boring home workouts, on-demand HITT classes and cold winter runs.
The latest wellness trend bouncing around TikTok involves a workout you might not even realize you’re doing, and that’s the point. It’s called rebounding. This low-impact exercise involves jumping on a mini fitness trampoline — called a rebounder — to get your heart pumping and support lymphatic drainage.
On Amazon, this best-selling model is currently on sale for just $129. It measures in at just 40 inches, making it ideal for small spaces while still offering room for an adult to jump, squat and jog in place. Users swear it gives them a seriously effective full-body workout, and many remark that it’s “so much fun” to use.
Clinical trials also back the benefits: a 12-week rebounding program for overweight women showed significant improvements in body composition as well as a decrease in diastolic blood pressure.
Ready to jump on the rebounding trend, too? You’d better hop on this Amazon deal fast.
This sleek rebounder by BCAN is sturdy and easy to set up, thanks to pre-assembled bungees and simpel video tutorial.
Reviewers say it’s completely changed their workouts, with one remarking they “feel like a little kid again.” Others have also noted it’s much easier on their joints than higher-impact exercises.
“It absorbs impact well and allows for a nice, smooth rebound that is gentle on the joints, making it perfect for a low-impact cardio workout,” one person explained. “Whether I’m doing high-intensity intervals or simply bouncing for fun, the movement feels fluid and responsive.
The BCAN model features an upgraded handlebar for added stability. It’s 8mm premium bungee — with a durable woven outer layer and a 350-strand natural latex core — delivers smooth, quiet bounces, so you can enjoy your workout without disturbing others.
This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Writer/Reporter. As a health-forward member of Gen Z, Miska seeks out experts to weigh in on the benefits, safety and designs of both trending and tried-and-true fitness equipment, workout clothing, dietary supplements and more. Taking matters into her own hands, Miska intrepidly tests wellness products, ranging from Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint Longevity Mix to the viral Oura Ring to Jennifer Aniston’s favorite workout platform – often with her adorable toddler by her side. Before joining The Post, Miska covered lifestyle and consumer topics for the U.S. Sun and The Cannon Beach Gazette.
Fitness
Fitness trainer with 18 years of experience shares why exercise is crucial for kids: ‘Not just about health and fitness’
Exercise is often spoken about in the context of physical fitness – stronger muscles, better stamina and improved overall health. But its value, especially for children, extends far beyond the body. Regular physical activity can quietly shape character, teaching lessons about effort, patience, discipline and resilience that mirror how the real world works. From learning to cope with discomfort to understanding that progress takes time, exercise can become a powerful training ground for life itself.
Also Read | Chennai fitness trainer with 18 years of experience shares 5 simple things to focus on for long-term fitness
Chennai-based fitness trainer with 18 years of experience, Raj Ganpath – founder of the Slow Burn Method, co-founder and head coach at Quad Fitness, and author of Simple, Not Easy – is shedding light on why exercise is important for kids, with the benefits going beyond health and fitness. In an Instagram video shared on February 27, he explains how the impact of exercise extends far beyond physical wellness, shaping resilience, discipline and long-term character development.
Embracing discomfort
According to Raj, exercise is one of the healthiest ways to help children learn how to sit with discomfort in a safe, structured and sustainable way. Life inevitably brings challenges and unease – something adults understand well – but many children today are shielded from situations that test their resilience.
He explains, “Exercise is a great way to experience this discomfort in a safe and sustainable manner. Lifting weights, holding a plank, doing cardio, repping till it burns, all of these things are opportunities to embrace discomfort, opportunities to put themselves in a place where they’re not comfortable and learn from it, opportunities to practice physical and mental resilience.”
Learning hardship
The fitness trainer emphasises that hardship is an inevitable part of life, and meaningful success often requires pushing through moments of difficulty. While most adults recognise this truth through lived experience, children may not always have the same exposure to challenge. Raj believes exercise can bridge that gap.
He elaborates, “It will teach them that they need to do hard things if they want to accomplish something. Getting through a very hard workout, setting a goal and achieving it, completing a task. All of these things are not just random chores. These are incredible opportunities – opportunities to experience hardship and build fortitude.”
Delayed gratification
In today’s fast-paced world, the desire for instant gratification is stronger than ever – and children are growing up at the centre of it. With technology, streaming platforms and 10-minute delivery services, almost everything is available at the tap of a screen. As a result, the ability to wait, persist and work steadily towards a long-term goal can easily take a back seat. Exercise, notes Raj, offers a powerful counterbalance.
He explains, “Everyone wants everything right away today. This is true for us adults too, but it is even more true for our kids because this is the only world they know. A world where everything happens right then and right there, whenever they want it, wherever they want it. Exercise will teach them to wait, to be patient, to trust the process, to fail and still keep going, to work towards something larger that they will get much later. This is a very important character building quality and will serve them well for many, many years to come.”
The fitness trainer concludes, “Exercise is not just about health and fitness. It is a simulation of life itself. A ready-made character building tool available to you to help prepare your kids for life, the raw and real life that they’re going to have to deal with no matter what. So make sure they build the habit and make sure they embrace it.”
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
Fitness
What Are “Movement Snacks”? How To Try This Trending Fitness Hack
The World Health Organization says the average adult is supposed to get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity five days a week, which sounds somewhat doable until it’s 9 p.m., your kids are finally in bed, and you just want to fall onto the couch and dissociate. But more and more people online are talking about “movement snacks” — little bite-sized amounts of exercise you can do throughout your day to meet your 60-minute goal without having to make special time for one big workout. Because yes, we all want to be our healthiest, but sometimes a HIIT class at the gym is just not in the schedule.
We asked personal trainers and fitness coaches for their favorite movement snacks you can do in the office, around the house, and on busy weekends when everyone’s home.
How much exercise is a person really supposed to get?
While the WHO recommends 60 minutes a day, the CDC is a little more lax, recommending at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week, or about 30 minutes a day, five days a week. While it may feel like you’re the only one struggling to fit a workout into your daily routine, you’re far from alone. In fact, it’s always been hard for most Americans. So, while movement snacks may be a cute new term we’re all hearing for the first time, fitness pros have been promoting bite-sized exercise forever.
“I work with busy professionals, so I’ve been integrating micro workouts of two to 10 minutes into my clients’ lifestyles for almost 20 years,” says Andrea Marcellus, certified personal trainer and CEO of AND/life.
The most important thing for your health isn’t getting all your daily movement done in one big, perfectly curated workout — it’s about being consistent, Marcellus says. Movement snacks can help you stay consistent because you don’t have to budget a big chunk of time; instead, you can fit something simple into your day when you have three minutes to spare. Hell, you don’t even have to change clothes or go anywhere.
“Most people think movement only counts if it’s a workout. That mindset is what keeps people sedentary. In reality, your body doesn’t care if steps come from a hike, a gym session, or pacing when you’re on a call,” says Lindy Royer, physical therapist and balanced body educator. “This is where you win the game — by stacking movement into things you’re already doing.”
Movement Snacks To Try Throughout Your Day
- Set an alarm on your phone to chime every hour — that’s what women’s fitness coach Allison Kalsched tells her clients. When it goes off, stand up and do 10 bodyweight squats. Then go back to work. When you get tired of squats, mix in walking lunges, push-ups (it’s fine if they’re modified!), or dead bugs. Throw on 30 seconds of jumping jacks or high knees for bone-building benefits, which is important for women in menopause, she adds.
- Take a micro walk. “Five minutes or 500 steps is my absolute favorite,” says Dr. Milica McDowell, doctor of physical therapy, author of the forthcoming book Walk, and exercise physiologist at US Physical Therapy. “It changes mood, lowers blood pressure, boosts mental clarity, and can help you get your cumulative steps in.”
- Dance to your new favorite song with your kids or all by yourself. “Dance party was big with my kids after dinner,” Marcellus says. “It takes four to 10 mins and helps kids burn off dinner energy, while also giving parents a metabolic boost.”
- Stop and do 60 reps of any full-body exercise, like squats, lunges, or jumping jacks — this usually takes about two minutes, no matter which one you choose, Marcellus says. Or, hold a plank for one to two minutes.
- Pair walking with habits that already exist to get your steps in, like marching in place while brushing your teeth or doing a lap inside the house while your food is in the microwave. “This means you’re not adding time — you are upgrading your time,” says Royer.
- Count your housework. Sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, general domestic labor — these things totally contribute to your total exercise time each day, says Royer.
- If you go up or down the stairs at home, just… do it two or three times. That little extra here and there adds up, according to Royer.
The best advice is to focus not on “how can I move right now?” but “how can I do something that isn’t sitting right now?” Royer says. “The real truth that most people ignore is that sedentary time is the real enemy, not a lack of workouts. Focus on breaking up your sitting time. Build in frequent movement snacks. You’re not looking for perfection, just something more than nothing. You don’t need more time; you actually just need more conscious efforts to move.”
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