If you've ever bought a gym membership and then scolded yourself for rarely crossing the club threshold, don't worry. Manufacturers have created compact home gym products for people who get motivated by equipment right before their eyes. Work everything from your lats to your triceps, your chest to your legs, and your shoulders to your abs with a convenient, multi-station home gym. Evaluate home gyms based on the number of stations, range of exercises, form of resistance and overall quality/comfort. You should choose the unit that offers the range of resistance you need to meet your strength training objectives.
What to Look for
Your gym will most likely include metal weights or another form of resistance, bars for pull and push down moves, equipment for leg extensions and curls, and a well-padded adjustable bench or seat. The weight stack combined with a cable and pulley system is the most common form of in-home, contained gym. In the product detail listing, you will find the maximum amount of weight or resistance available. Systems can add their own unique pieces to the fitness fun, such as folding benches, pectoral fly capabilities and even chin-up bars. There are also compact units where the resistance is made by a flexing band. How about gyms where your own body weight generates the resistance? These last two options may feel different if you are used to a weight workout, so be aware of moving smoothly through the motion and pay attention to the speed that gives you the best workout.
Pads, seats and benches should be covered in a comfortable material or you will have an easy excuse not to use it. The more expensive home gyms with numbers of stations and 100 exercise choices will be the more costly way to go. If you are at an advanced fitness level, you could spend $2,000 on one of these units, yet beginners can pay much less and get what they need.
Common Pitfalls
In addition to meeting fitness needs and goals, your home gym has to fit your place! Measure the area, remembering to consider ceiling height. Depending upon where your gym rests, you may want a mat under it to protect the floor. It could take a matter of hours to install, and for a complex unit take a look at installation services. All-in-one units should come with some type of instruction guide that covers exercise techniques and safety tips. The user instructions also may be placed right on the frame. Watch out for units that feel shaky or jerky. Listen for excessive rattling. If a friend has a multi-gym, ask if you can work out with him to check out the model. With compact units taking up little space and offering at least 30 exercises, most anyone can have a stronger body for improved health.
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