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In August 2022, I embarked on a new fitness journey with Street Parking, an online program that redefined my approach to exercise. Born from the founders’ garage gym, Street Parking emphasizes daily workouts, most of which can be completed with a pair of dumbbells. As I approach my 365th programmed workout, earning the prestigious Street Parking 365 milestone (and a free t-shirt), I’ve realized that specific equipment plays a crucial role in enhancing the Street Parking experience.
In this blog post, we’ll delve into two categories of equipment for your garage gym – the essential and the optional.
Essential Equipment:
1. Floor Padding: Safeguard Your Space, Amplify Comfort
Protect your home gym space with foam or rubber padding, ensuring a comfortable and safe workout environment. While this could be considered an optional addition, its low cost and the substantial comfort benefit make it a wise and budget-friendly choice for enhancing your workout experience.
I use this style of floor padding: 1/2″ Interlocking Foam Floor Tiles for Home Gym
2. Dumbbells: The Core of Street Parking Workouts
Central to Street Parking’s philosophy is the use of dumbbells, making them indispensable for a diverse range of exercises. From the foundational 10 lb, 20 lb, and 30 lb dumbbells, these weights form the basis of strength training, allowing for scalability and progression.
I have these sizes: 10 lb Dumbbells | 20 lb Dumbbells | 30 lb Dumbbells
3. Plyo Box: Versatility in Every Jump
A plyo box is not just a piece of equipment; it’s a gateway to explosive exercises and dynamic movements. Incorporating the plyo box into your garage gym brings variety to your workouts, aligning seamlessly with Street Parking’s commitment to functional fitness.
I have a 20″ x 18″ x 16″ box: Plyo Box
Optional Equipment:
1. Resistance / Pull-Up Bands: Dynamic and Space-Saving Workouts
Resistance bands are compact, affordable, and perfect for toning and strengthening various muscle groups. They are excellent for adding resistance to bodyweight exercises and provide a full range of motion, making them an ideal option for home workouts. They can also be used to assist with pull-ups if you have a pull-up bar.
I have a set similar to these: Resistance/Pull-Up Bands
2. Kettlebell: Unleash Power and Improve Functional Fitness
A kettlebell is a dynamic addition to your garage gym, offering versatility for full-body workouts. The 35 lb kettlebell, a personal favorite, aligns perfectly with Street Parking’s emphasis on varied and functional movements.
I have a Titan competition kb in yellow like this: 16 kg (35 lb) Kettlebell
3. Adjustable Weight Bench: The Foundation of Street Parking Strength Training
As you progress in your fitness journey, an adjustable weight bench becomes an essential component, supporting various strength-training exercises. Street Parking’s emphasis on functional strength training makes a weight bench a valuable asset to your garage gym. You can also use this instead of a plyo box for several functional movements like alternating step-ups.
I have this adjustable bench and love it: Adjustable Weight Bench
4. Pull-Up Bar: Elevate Your Strength with Vertical Mastery
The pull-up bar is the latest addition to my garage gym, bringing vertical strength training to the forefront. As Street Parking introduces dynamic movements, the pull-up bar enhances upper body and core engagement, contributing to a well-rounded workout routine. Used in conjunction with the pull-up bands, I’m able to do assisted strict pull-ups. 🙂
The type of pull-up bar you buy depends on your installation options. I have this joist-mounted pull-up bar: Pull-Up Bar
5. Schwinn IC4 Indoor Bike: Pedal Towards Cardio Fitness
For those seeking an added cardio element, the Schwinn IC4 Indoor Bike provides a low-impact, high-intensity option. Its versatility complements Street Parking’s varied workouts, offering a dynamic way to boost cardiovascular health.
My research found this was the best budget bike designed to work with popular cycling apps such as Peloton and Zwift: Schwinn IC4 Indoor Bike
Conclusion
As I celebrate my upcoming 365th programmed Street Parking workout in a few weeks, I can attest to the transformative power of consistent, varied, and challenging workouts. Whether you opt for the essential equipment or choose to enhance your garage gym with optional additions, these recommendations will not only complement your Street Parking journey but also make every workout a step toward achieving your fitness goals.