TikTok’s Home Workout Hacks | Working Out On a Budget

Many former gym-goers have exchanged their in-person workouts for at-home set-ups. Working out at home can be super convenient, especially for those on tight schedules. But setting up your at-home gym can be quite the task, especially when it comes to your budget. Exercise equipment can get expensive, and when setting up a workout space at home, the goal is to be able to perform the same moves you can at the gym, at least, for the most part. Leave it to TikTok users to show us ways to do this on a budget. Yep, that's right. TikTokers have revealed some creative hacks that allow you to do your favorite moves at home without breaking the bank. Let's see what they found.

Foam Rollers

We have all heard of foam rollers. The tools are typically used to increase flexibility or remove tension or knots from sore muscles. But today, many are using the foam cylinders for entire workouts. The hashtag #foamrollerworkout currently has 7.6 million views on TikTok, with users taking the rollers to a whole new level. One thing at-home exercisers are using the tool for is pilates. TikTokers who want to do pilates at home are using foam rollers in place of a standard reformer. A foam roller can provide elevation and flexibility, just like a reformer, but without the heavy price tag. The rollers also don't take up much space and are perfect for taking on the go. Some common muscle groups you can work with a foam roller include quads, hamstrings, and calves. Just grab a yoga mat and a roller and see what you can do.

Resistance Bands

Resistance bands are one of those versatile items that can prove useful for many types of workouts. And because they are inexpensive, many are adding them to their at-home workout routines. Resistance bands work by adding extra force without any physical weight, and they can be super effective. In fact, a 2019 study showed that training with resistance bands was just as effective for gaining muscle as was training with traditional tools like weight machines or free weights.¹

Thus, resistance bands can be used in place of weights and exercise machines to work the same muscle groups. Some make use of their doors at home by placing door anchors either at the top, bottom, or side of the door, and then attaching a resistance band. This setup can be useful for working the arms, chest, and legs, among other areas. There are tons of great moves you can do at home with just a pair of resistance bands. Whether it's bicep curls, front or split squats, or tricep kickbacks, the possibilities are endless when it comes to this simple tool. With the hashtag #resistancebands accumulating over 291 million views on TikTok, these elastic helpers are still extremely popular for getting some strength training in.

Chair Workout

You'd be surprised how many exercises are possible with just a chair. The hashtag #chairworkout has 63.1 million views on TikTok, with users forming workouts entirely around household chairs. Some are using chairs as support in place of typical workout benches for moves like the Bulgarian lunge, while others are creating entire workouts that can be done while sitting. There are plenty of different types of workouts that can be performed using a chair, including cardio, core training, and strength training movements. Many users are focusing on upper body with movements like the chair dip (in place of the bench dip), which targets the triceps and chest. But the possibilities are endless; chair exercises can be utilized to essentially target almost any muscle group. Some users are even lifting water bottle weights to complete their at-home chair workouts. Now that's what we call exercise on a budget.

Take Home Message

TikTok has spoken, and if you're on a budget but still want to get on that grind, there are plenty of creative workouts you can try at home using foam rollers, resistance bands, and even a household chair. So if you don't have the time or extra savings to get to the gym, you can still get those gains right from the comfort of your home.