Home gyms have both benefits and drawbacks. The two major benefits of home gyms are money and time savings. The major drawbacks are the lack of spotters and a support system. Another drawback is that it's easier to give up at home than at the gym, where you have the push of those around you. Before you decide to create a home gym, examine the pros and cons to see if it's worth the expense of setting one up.
Cardio Machines
Quality is essential for cardio equipment, and treadmills are versatile and apt for everyone, no matter their fitness level. However, a cheap treadmill might have poor shock absorption that can take a toll on your knees over time. It might be better to buy a second-hand, quality piece of equipment than a cheap brand-new one. Other options for cardio equipment include vertical and recumbent stationary bikes. Elliptical trainers, rowers and steppers offer tougher workouts but require more space and can be more expensive.
Weight Training
You have two choices for weight training: machines or free weights. If you choose free weights, you will need dumbbells or barbells with adjustable plates, a rack and a bench in order to work out all muscle groups. The other option is a multi-station home gym. This is the home-version of machines like leg presses, triceps extensions and leg curls. Multi-station gyms often allow you to perform 10 or more exercises on a single machine, including arm curls, lat pulldowns, bench presses, squats, triceps presses and shoulder presses. The downside of these machines is that they cost thousands of dollars and they are difficult to assemble and move.
Accessories
If you plan on bringing heavy equipment into the house, you will need something to protect your floors. Rubber mats, plywood or a lifting platform are all good choices, depending on where the equipment will be located and whether you plan on leaving it in the same place or moving it. You might need other accessories depending on what type of exercise you plan on doing at home, such as mats for crunches or yoga. A stepper, jumping rope, resistance bands, tubing or medicine balls are all possible options. Invest in a large mirror as well, so you can watch your form and correct bad posture as you exercise.
Considerations
What you buy for your home gym depends on a number of factors. Maybe the most important is budget. Home workout machines can cost a few hundred to thousands of dollars, so you will need to research machines based on how much you can spend. Another consideration is space. Treadmills require more space than stationary bikes or steppers. Some treadmills can be folded and rolled away, however, so they might a good choice if you want to work out in the living room and then move the machine out of the way afterward.
Member Comments