Building
a Home Gym
With
the hectic scheduled that most people maintain, buying home gym equipment makes
sense. Not only can you save money over expensive gym memberships, but also your
valuable time. We all know getting to the gym can be challenging.
The
bottomline is when exercising is more convenient you will do it more often. That
is why over ½ of all households in the U.S. have some sort of home exercise
equipment. But determining which home gym equipment is right for you can be difficult.
Here are several suggestions:
Purchasing
the Right Home Gym Equipment
Define
your goals and consider the type of exercise machines that can help you reach
those goals. Numerous homes are littered with unused exercise equipment that substitutes
for clothes hangers. Too often people buy infomercial products that are that latest
fad. They discover that the exercise bores them, and that the equipment is poorly
built and does not deliver on the promises.
We
recommend home gym equipment that will give you both an aerobic and strength workout.
With aerobic exercise you burn fat and raise your HDL (good cholesterol). In addition,
you strengthen the heart and lungs. Popular cardio equipment includes treadmills,
elliptical trainers and exercise bikes.
With strength training you build muscle, strengthen bones, boosts your metabolism,
and lower your LDL (bad cholesterol). Home gyms and free weights are excellent
for strength training.
How
Much Should You Spend on Home Gym Equipment?
First,
and foremost, you want to purchase equipment that you will actually use. A $2,000
treadmill can be an expensive clothes hanger, but if you are committed to using
your home gym equipment, then buy quality. Otherwise you may be replacing your
bargain equipment in the near future.
Set
a budget before shopping. A good entry level home gym setup with a treadmill
and a workout bench will cost about $1200. If you budget $2000 to $3000, go for
a good piece of cardio (treadmill or elliptical) and a home multi-gym that serves
your fitness goals..
We
suggest you do your homework. Talk to the experts at your local specialty fitness
store. Their knowledgeable staff can help you match your needs to equipment.
In
addition read reviews, testimonials, third party endorsements. Avoid the hype.
Most important, don't get fooled by the promises of infomercial products.
Getting
the Right Fit
Home
gym equipment can be space hogs. This is particularly true with home gyms. Determine
how much room you have and allow adequate space. Measure your home gym space.
Be sure to measure the floor space in the room you plan to place your new equipment.
Leave enough room between pieces of equipment, and don't forget ceiling height. (Click for reviews on popular home gyms.)
For
those that are space challenged consider a folding treadmill. For strength workouts
you can go with a bench and weights, but you can also get one-stack home gyms
with small footprints.
Once
you set up your place with home gym equipment you will find that you significantly
increase you level of physical activity. Having the convenience of a workout facility
in your home can make getting and staying in shape a pleasure. And don't forget
that extra bonus at the end of your workout: Your very own steaming hot shower
awaits you.
Also see a Buyer's Guide to Elliptical Trainer Mats.