starter equipment help

[Kenneth Patelli]

So here's the deal.

 

I started Gymnastics as a young adult. I was too old to compete but I had a coach who let me train with the kids regardless. I was able to perform in mock exhibitions where i actually comlpeted level 3, 4, 5, 6, and was on level 7 when my time in gymnastics came to an end. My coach was leasing space from a girl's gym and they determined the boy's program wasn't profitable enough and we got the boot. after that, i tried to go to the weight room and stay in shape for a couple years. i eventually moved from california to connecticut and could never get the fire back. I haven't stepped in a gym in a few years. i have a belly. i can barely do 10 pull ups. i'm ashamed. luckily my lady got me the foundation 1 and handstand 1 series package for christmas this year. i'm now in my 30's and ready to dive in.

 

so I logged in to the courses. I set up a workout plan. I noticed the 3 day foundation plan was a little off from what i was looking for so i modified it. one half on one day (same setup as default), one half on another day (same as default), and the 3rd day all 7. then i spaced them out so i could do handstand series between. a perfect little 5 day plan.

 

now i have everything ready. i want to get started. but i'm browsing the videos to get an idea of what's to come and i'm quickly realizing i need equipment. does anyone have a list of equipment (as all encompassing as possible) that i'll need to get? I have a pullup bar and i have adjustable rings but that's it. i feel like i may need a mat of some kind to roll out of handstands? i'll need a stall bar? i'll need a weighted bar for mobility exercises?

 

what is recommended overall. I remember back at the gym there were these large red and yellow p-bar training blocks to practice swings with and we would use them for handstand pushups and other things. but all of my memories are in a gym with real equipment. what is logical to start with at home? maybe for a spare room to build into a mini gym? i'll get started right now but want to buy equipment and take this as seriously as possible. any recommendations help.

 

wish me luck.

Ken

[Joshua Slocum]

First of all, start right away - when you run into something you can't do, make a note of it and then come back to that later. Don't let lack of equipment be a reason to not work out at all

 

A good place to start would be:

 

adjustable rings

soft floor (grass, a carpet or a yoga mat on top of a hardfloor works well)

~4' wooden rod or broomstick

5# weight plate that fits around the broomstick

 

You can do ~80% of the exercises in F1 and H1 with just this. Many other exercises you can find a way to do with some clever substitutions. Later on in Foundation you'll need a set of stall bars (or to get particularly clever with the substitutions) but that's the only other major equipment hurdle I can think of.