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We lead such busy lives that sometimes it seems every moment
of the day has a task assigned to it. Our jobs pull us in
one direction; home pulls us in another, and if you have
children, there is no “free time”! It seems that there just
are not enough hours in the day! So when, you may ask, do
you have time for a gym workout? Working out, or exercising
at home may never equal what a gym offers, but it can come
very close and it is much better than doing nothing.
For those who are serious about doing their 2 - 3 times a
week workout but don't have time to spend traveling to and
from the gym, a home gym is the answer. With a few basic and
well-chosen pieces of fitness equipment, you can create a
home gym that will suit your needs. Even those with very
limited space can find equipment for a good physical
workout.
Although you will miss the personal attention from your
gym's trainer, fitness and exercise videos can be an
excellent alternative. And you can replay portions of the
video as often as you need to. Try asking a trainer to
repeat his or her self 3 or 4 times or "show me that again"
2 or 3 times.
What
will you need?
The type of fitness equipment you will need for your home
exercise gym can be determined by:
1.
Your current level of fitness.
2.
Your fitness goals.
3.
Your budget
4.
Your exercise preferences
5.
The Space limitations of your home (where to use and
where to store)
6.
Last, but not least; how safe is the equipment
construction.
Types of equipment
Some of the different types of home exercise equipment are
free weights, resistance equipment, stationery bikes,
treadmills, elliptical trainers, and cross-country ski
machines.
Free-weights and
Resistance equipment
These require very little space to use and can be easily
stored out of the way. They are excellent for muscle toning
and strengthening.
Stationary bicycles
If you have been sedentary for a while these are a good way
to get yourself back into shape for more strenuous
exercising. Exercise bikes are a no-impact, comfortable way
to exercise, and are great for toning and strengthening your
legs while increasing endurance. You will need to find some
space for these; they can be heavy and cumbersome to move.
Because they are no-impact exercisers bikes are a good
alternative for runners with back problems.
Step Machines
An excellent way to get a cardio-vascular workout while
strengthening your legs.
Treadmills
This is a very popular piece of exercise equipment for home
use. Unlike stationary bikes they are high impact, but are
also great for legs and building endurance. A Treadmill with
only the basic functions can be purchased for under $200.
But remember you get what you pay for. When pricing a
treadmill check that is has solid construction, smooth
walking action, a wide belt, incline settings. If it is a
powered treadmill make sure it has an emergency power-off
switch.
Elliptical Trainers
Another non-impact piece of exercise equipment, elliptical
trainers have adjustable intensity and resistance settings.
This allows you to work with it at your fitness level,
changing the settings as you increase the intensity of your
exercise routine.
Cross-country Ski and
Rowing Machines
These machines are for
those who are already fit and want to increase their level
of fitness. They provide full body high intensity workouts
and are a great way to exercise at home.
Shop and Compare
Before making your purchases, determine which kinds of
equipment fit your needs. Clearly define the goals for your
workout routine. Carefully compare equipment prices and
consumer reviews. Make sure you understand how to use the
fitness equipment safely. Understand the warranty and
availability of replacements parts before making your
purchase |
