You do not need a gym to get a great workout. Maybe your budget is tight or you do not like waiting in line to use your favorite machine. Whatever the issue, a gym membership might not be the answer for you, but that is no reason to throw in the towel. Whether you yearn for a no-frills, basic workout room or a pricey home club, what matters is that you have the right equipment for your fitness needs. Your only limitation is your imagination, well, and your budget.
The Basic Budget Home Gym
Reliable cardio equipment can set you back nearly $1,500, so make sure you have access to walking/ jogging or biking trails to vary your cardio routine. You can download free workouts from Exercisetv.tv. For muscle toning, the best bet is a resistance band with handles (a.k.a. a "portable gym"). Thickness indicates level of resistance. They are widely available and inexpensive. Purchase a couple of good workout DVDs to start your library. One fitness DVD should address total body toning using little or no equipment, such as Kelly Coffey's "30 Minutes to Fitness: Body Training" or Gin Miller's "Everybody Steps." Buy a quality aerobic step, such as the original Step Reebok, $80, which is adjustable (for height) and features a non-skid, wide surface. Other equipment to complete your gym includes an inflatable swiss ball (about $24.99)---great for balance exercises, incline push-ups and abdominal crunches---and a jump rope. Total gym cost is about $165.
Mid-Priced Add-Ons
In the mid-range, you can supplement the above with a very good piece of cardio equipment. One of the best, yet least used, pieces of cardio equipment is a rowing machine. It works both the upper and lower body, does not take up nearly as much space as a treadmill, and burns nearly 600 calories per hour. A great pick is the Concept 2 Model D Power Rower, which you can buy online starting at $900, plus shipping and handling. Next are free weights or dumbbells. You can easily spend hundreds on rubber-coated dumbbells and a rack, or cram 15 sets of weights in one by selecting the Bowflex Selecttech 552 dumbbells. With the turn of a dial you can change your weight from a 5-lb. pair all the way to a 52.5-lb. pair, starting at $400. Ever heard of Balance Pods? These are small rubber "grippers," shaped like mini Bosu Balance Trainers, that are great for placing your hands or feet on during push-ups or squats for a balance challenge. A six-pack runs about $40. Total gym cost with above and add-ons checks in at about $1,600.
Your Luxury Home Retreat
Now that you have high-end dumbbells, it's not a bad idea to have a bench for serious weight training. You can work your body from every angle, key for maximum toning. A gym-quality adjustable weight bench costs approximately $500. Whether or not you decide to add yoga to your routine, you may want to invest in a non-skid exercise mat, for approximately $50. Another great piece of equipment that is inflatable and may fit under your bed is a Bosu Balance Trainer (about $100). It looks like a stability ball that has been cut in half. You can use both sides to double your fitness options. Try using it for increasing the intensity of your push-ups (balancing while pushing up) or stand on it for squats and/or lunges. The options are endless. Total cost for fantasy gym without another piece of bulky cardio equipment is about $2,300 give or take a few dollars.
References
- National Academy of Sports Medicine Essentials of Personal Fitness Training, 3rd ed; Michael Clark, Scott Lucett and Rodney Corn; 2008
- Consumer Search: Home Gym Equipment
- Rehabilitation Management; Fitness Equipment: Getting Your Gadgets; G. Thompson; July 2009
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