Exercise Bike

For the last year or so, I've been becoming more interested in the idea of building up a home gym. As I learn more about weight lifting, I feel more confident in my ability to put together a workout on my own. And it would certainly save time and money if I didn't have to actually go to the gym. But there are obstacles, too. For one, a home gym is really expensive. Mostly because of all the different dumbbell weights you need. But mats, foam rollers, and exercise balls don't come cheap either. There's also the fact that I lack motivation at home. Just like getting dressed and going to an office helps me focus on my work, being in a gym surrounded by other people helps me focus on working out.

All that said, we've taken a first, tentative step in this direction with the purchase of a stationary bike. A bike is something Kevin and I will both use a bunch, especially in the winter. We have it set up in front of the TV, so it should theoretically be just as easy to hop on the bike as it is to sprawl on the couch. Though we haven't really put it to the test yet.

Since getting the bike, I've managed to use it every day. The plan is to continue this, even if it's just for twenty minutes. Getting up half an hour early to get on the bike before showering shouldn't be too much of a hardship, especially since I was able to get up early for physical therapy this time last year. And pairing it with a sitcom (New Girl for now) should make the time go faster. I just hope the Thanksgiving house guests don't throw me too far off  my routine, assuming I managed to actually establish one in the next week.

Now the trick is going to be getting into the gym to lift weights. Especially on weekends, it's a lot easier to just hop on the bike at home for an hour. Which is fine if that's what I was planning to do anyway. And I could always do pushups, situps, and squats at home. I just need to get my mind to frame that corner of the basement as a workout space.

And maybe one day (in the next house), I'll be able to acquire enough equipment and motivation to do everything I want to at home. For now I'll just focus on cycling every day that I can.