Setting Up Your Home GymFor the majority of beginning exercisers, a home gym doesn't have to be complicated OR expensive. A set of adjustable dumbbells (or a rack of different weight dumbbells), a workout bench, a fitness ball, and a spot on the floor are adequate for your home gym. However, due to boredom or the need to incorporate more advanced exercises, you may wish to add to this basic set-up, especially after you've been following a regular exercise routine for a while. Oftentimes I am asked which types of equipment should be purchased for a home gym, and where to find it. Unless you're willing to spend a significant amount of time looking around your local stores hoping for a good deal on the equipment I'm recommending, and have the means to bring the item(s) back to your home, your best (and least expensive) bet is to purchase fitness equipment factory-direct online. Here are some pieces I recommend for rounding out your home gym, based on the exercises I've found to be most effective for my clients. I've continued to be impressed with MegaFitness for purchasing these items. #2 Powertec Leverage Leg Ext Curl Bench This piece is essential to work all of the hamstring muscles (if you don't have a spotter around all the time to help you with manual hamstring curls or dumbbell hamstring curls). The leg extension also allows full development of the quadriceps, which is one of the largest muscles of the body and therefore important for the overall body metabolism. #3 4 in 1 Chin Up/Pull Up Bar This apparatus allows you to perform chin-ups or pull-ups from a full hang (harder) or from a lower position (easier: modified for a beginner). You can also perform push-ups (for the chest) at a variety of angles, as well as bicep and tricep work. An inexpensive essential for the intermediate or advanced home exerciser. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you don't want to buy the pieces #1, #2, and #3 (eventually--not necessarily all at once) you might want to purchase a universal machine like #4 or #5. My personal recommendation to get in the best shape (and the less expensive option and less space-hogging option, it turns out) is to purchase pieces #1, #2, and #3, although piece #4 might be preferable to those three pieces if you're planning to work out without a spotter much of the time. #4 Cage Rack with Lat Hi Low Pulley and Dip Knee Raise Station (This is my preference for a universal machine over #5--but keep in mind you will need to purchase extra weight plates with this machine, which does add to the cost). This plate-loaded unit (better than cables in my opinion) allows you to perform literally hundreds of different exercises. This machine is great if you don't have a spotter on hand for every workout, because the spotting devices built in allow you to go to your limit safely even if you're exercising by yourself. #5 Mega Smith System Loaded w Attachments This home gym unit also allows you to perform hundreds of different exercises. It's not essential to have this machine, but if you get bored easily doing the same exercises over and over, it will be a godsend. A bodybuilder would find this machine useful for finishing work muscle-shaping. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you will need them, I recommend purchasing iron weight plates at your local retail store such as Wal-Mart, Target, Olympia Sports, Omni Fitness, or a wholesale club to save on shipping expenses. Used sporting goods stores can also be a good bet (or, alternately, a friend that bought a set of weights with good intentions...) If you're interested in finding out what to look for in home cardio equipment, please click on one of these links:
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