Home Gym Guides

Having your own home gym and spending your hard-earned money for it is unfortunately not a guarantee that you’ll be using it faithfully everyday. If you want your home gym to help you achieve your fitness goals, you need to have the right motivators working for you. Here are a few to get you started and help you on your way to physical fitness.

Design it the way you want it.

There were sure to be a few things that you didn’t like in your old gym but had no power to change, weren’t they? But now you have the chance to do things your way! This is your very own home gym after all so whatever you say goes. This is the time to make all the necessary changes to ensure that your home gym is the best place you want to exercise at!

Invite your friends over.

Unless you’ve built an extremely small and literally one-man home gym, surely what you have now can accommodate a few of your friends? There’s nothing more enjoyable than exercising with your friends. Misery loves company, after all, and you definitely won’t mind sweating blood and tears at the treadmill if you see your best friend experiencing the same thing over the weightlifting area of your home gym. After that, celebrate with a delicious but health-friendly meal and you just might have given birth to a new routine for you and your friends.

Read a new book.

You definitely won’t mind working your guts out in your own home gym if you’re reading a new book. Since every page commands your attention, you probably won’t notice how long you’ve been exercising. If you can’t buy a new book for your home gym session, drop by the library and buy a new one.

Watch a new movie.

Head over to the video rental store and borrow any old movie you haven’t seen yet but you’ve always been interested in. Just like a new book, a new movie can make you temporarily forget the physical torture you’re enduring and focus instead on the story unfolding in the screen.

Monitor your progress.

Hang a calendar on the wall then cross out every box corresponding to the dates you’ve exercised. Seeing all those crossed out boxes are guaranteed to make you feel extremely proud of your achievement and at the same time motivate you to keep up the good work.

Regularly check your weight as well because nothing, and yes nothing, can make you feel better than seeing for yourself that your weight’s slowly decreasing.

Pat yourself on the back.

In other words, don’t forget to give yourself a reward for a job well done. If you’ve just attained a considerable feat then don’t hesitate to treat yourself because this can only encourage you to work out even longer and harder in your home gym. Don’t cheat though! If you do, the rewards would soon lose its meaning and significance and you’ll be forced to go back to square one.

Consequently, it’s important that the other end of the coin is considered as well. If you’ve reneged on your word, punish yourself accordingly. For every day of exercise missed, you should compensate it with twice as much exercise on the next day.

Have a role model.

Choose someone you’d like to be or look like with the help of regular exercise at your home gym. If you’ve chosen one already, have a life-size photo of your role model made then post it in your home gym. Every time you’re feeling lazy, just look at that photo and remind yourself that you need to exercise if you want to look like him or her.

Get things right.

Last but not the least, make sure your home gym has all the necessary equipment to give you a fun and complete workout. You must have exercise equipment that can help build your stamina, flexibility, and strength. Make sure they’re also easy and comfortable to use.

Your home gym must also be regularly cleaned because no one would be inclined to work out if they have to do so in a pig sty – or something close to it.

But ultimately, the motivation will still come from you. If you’re truly serious about your intentions then you’ll just a reminding nudge once or twice to get you back on track.

If you want to get the best from your own home gym, it has to be housed in the right room and with the right equipment. But most importantly of all, you need to have adequate perseverance in order to attain your exercise goals.

Where to Build Your Home Gym

Your home gym must first and foremost be properly ventilated. Windows are a must, especially if you don’t want to use the air-conditioning unit. Air in the room must be properly circulated to prevent your home gym from smelling of sweat. Your home gym must also be well-lit. If possible, acquire lights with dimming controls because there may be times you’d prefer to work out in the dark like when you’re watching a scary movie and you want an appropriate atmosphere for it.

Space requirements are also important to consider. Make sure there’s enough space for all your exercise equipment, gym furniture, and free space for you to perform freestyle exercise routines.

Choosing the Right Exercise Equipment for Your Own Home Gym

There are three types of exercises vital for your physical health and fitness: stamina, strength, and flexibility. Stamina exercises improve your endurance and make you last longer. Strength exercises build and hone your muscles while trimming you fat at the same time. Last but not the least, flexibility ensures that your body remains agile and mobile, focusing on keeping your muscles and joints fluid and responsive. If you want to get the best from your own home gym, you need exercise equipment that can help improve your stamina, strength, and flexibility and all in all providing you with a full-body workout.

Treadmill – This is a staple in home gym and helps improve your stamina. Treadmills may be manual and electrically powered. The former is naturally more affordable but comes with fewer features. It’s best to work with an electrically powered mid-range treadmill model with adjustable inclination to give you a variety of workouts. If possible, look for a treadmill that lets you read a book, drink water, or listen to your MP4 player while exercising.

Weights – Dumbbells are approximately a dollar each. You should get several pairs of assorted weights because you’ll be working yourself up. Also, there are a number of combination exercises which will require you to use dumbbells of a prescribed weight. Having at least one barbell in your home gym is especially important for men. They cost twice as much as dumbbells like weight plates cost a dollar each. Again, consider investing in a set of increasingly heavy weight plates since you’ll be working yourself up with them in time.

TV Set and DVD player – It’s very important to have a TV set in your home gym. A TV can keep you entertained for hours while exercising. If there’s nothing good on TV then that’s when your DVD player comes in. Both are also important if you like watching and following exercise and workout videos. Make sure that your TV set has a screen big enough for you to see everything clearly from whichever part of the room. Keep the TV set in a safe area.

Mats – Even if your home gym is carpeted, it’s still better to have several mats handy as they’re cleaner, safer, and more convenient to use when you’re lying down and performing exercises on your back.

Exercise Ball – Have at least one included in your home gym. There are a lot of things you can do with an exercise ball but its greatest benefit is making it easier for you to perform flexibility exercises. And no, before you even ask, exercise balls are not exclusively designed for women. They can also be used by men and without lessening their testosterone count.

Adjustable Bench – This is important when you’re using your barbell and when you’re doing lunges and combination exercises with your dumbbells. Adjusting its inclination will help tone all muscles in your body.

Full-Length Mirror – This is very important not because it helps assuage your vanity but to ensure that you have the correct form and posture for whatever exercise you’re performing. The wrong position could cause unnecessary strain on your body.

Weighing Scale – Last but not the least, have a weighing scale handy in your home gym to keep track of your progress. Good luck!

Home gym workouts need not be any less effective than workouts done in a gym, provided certain basic principles are observed. A home gym is unlikely to have the same professional equipment as a commercial gym, so some adjustments will be necessary. Here is how to get the best results from a home gym workout.Cardio It can never be quite the same at home. Gym workouts often commence with either running, or exercises using a treadmill or elliptical trainer. If your home gym is especially well equipped, you may well want to start in the same way. Most will not be so lucky, and will need a different type of exercise to warm up with. You could just go for a run outside, or you could use something like a small trampoline to get your blood moving.

Chest Here again if you have a weight bench available, it is ideal for this stage of your home gym workout. Use bench presses, either with dumbbells or barbells. Dumbbells will allow you more freedom to develop your body evenly. Not many will have access to this facility, however, and in this case you will need to improvise. Try some declined pushups. They are hard work, but if you feel that you are not getting the necessary work load, try raising your feet. That will be much harder, but if you need it harder still, try using one hand.

Legs Legs are not the easiest part of the body to build using home gym workouts, but with a bit of ingenuity, a lot can be achieved. It will, of course, be easier if you have a bench. You can then employ basic leg curls. Using weights, try squats as they are very effective in developing the thighs. Calves are more difficult to deal with, but if you can stand on your bottom step with one foot, without your heel touching the step, then you can raise yourself using that one foot. This is a very physically demanding exercise, and will yield good results.

Arms The arms are much easier to make part of a home gym workout. Although professional gym equipment is always a help, to develop your arms you only really need a set of dumbbells. Perform basic curls to build the biceps effectively, and work your triceps by doing easy seated triceps extensions. As well as these, make use of the dumbbell kickback, as this is a proven workout for those just starting.

Hopefully this guide will have illustrated what can be done with home gym workouts, and that you can get a lot of results from them.

Not many people can afford to find the time to go to a gym every day, and not many people can afford to make lifetime down payments on gym membership fees.  But many people would in fact love to lose some extra weight; and even better, many people would love to lose that extra weight from the comfort of their own homes with the flexibility of times that are most convenient to themselves.  Investing in home-gym equipment therefore seems like one of the better choices to make in such a situation.  Deciding on the most flexible piece of gym equipment is just as simple — the treadmill is one of the most popular pieces of gym equipment since it affords one both cardio exercises as well as more vigorous aerobic workouts.  It is in effect the most flexible of all the types of gym equipments, and is best of all least specialized — anyone can use the treadmill.Choosing the right treadmill therefore becomes quite as big an issue as losing the weight is, for with the right treadmill you would stand to benefit from great service with the least hassles or worry about regular maintenance and poor quality products.  The last thing you would want after all is to invest in a treadmill only to find six months after that the belt is no longer good or that the motor is on the verge of giving way.

Of course the biggest factor for most people when shopping for a treadmill would be the price issue.  The best equipments do not necessarily have to be the most expensive, but at the same time be wary of purchasing cheap stuff.  Check out the manuals and buyer ratings, and it is a good idea even before you go shopping to read some unbiased treadmill reviews to determine which are the best treadmills for sale on the market.

Another thing that you should be wary about when buying a treadmill is the size of the treadmill.  If you have a small home or a small working place where you plan to do your workouts then it makes absolutely no sense to buy an overly large piece of equipment.  Additionally it is very convenient to have a treadmill that can be easily disassembled in the event that you need to put it away after each use.  Likewise, it should be just as easy to assemble for use — if it is difficult to mount up and down then it is less likely to be used as often.

Finally, when buying a treadmill, make sure you get your money’s worth.  The treadmill should be comfortable to walk on, should have the ability for inclined slops for greater flexibility, and it should have a motor which can both function effectively and quietly for long periods of time on end.  Finally, and probably the most important, make sure that your treadmill has a good warranty.  This will save you a lot in the long run.

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Making the perfect choice of an elliptical machine can be quite a challenge. There are just too many models with differing features available in the market. And as their prices vary greatly, one can easily be confused with all the advertisements on print and TV.But in picking out the best elliptical machine for yourself, you must, obviously, gear it towards meeting your resources and requirements.

o ADVANTAGES OF AN ELLIPTICAL MACHINE:

The biggest advantage of an elliptical machine, and the reason for its popularity is the fact that it combines the features of a treadmill, a stationary bike, a stair-climber as well as a cross-country skiing device.

They also tend to minimize friction of the joints as they contain a low impact feature. This is particularly helpful for people who have complications regarding their joints. They can continue to burn the required number of calories using the programmed fitness levels of the machine.

o SHOPPING FOR AN ELLIPTICAL MACHINE

PERSONAL PREFERENCES For those who are hooked onto gym-training, selecting the best elliptical machine won’t be a problem at all. Just pick out the one you find is best suited to your needs from among the gym’s equipment.

However, if you’re too busy to find time to visit a gym to workout, but at the same time, don’t want to sacrifice your exercise regimen, your best option would be to invest in the machine best suited to your requirements and use it to workout at home.

LOOK BEFORE YOU BUY You will want to conduct careful research into your elliptical machine before actually buying it as you would understandably, be looking for a high grade machine as well as maximum savings from the purchase so you don’t dent your bank balance!

Try jotting down the special features you’re looking for in your machine in the form of a list. If you want to make your purchase online, the best idea would be to first hop down to your nearest local sports goods store and look around at the available models before finalizing your selection.

BUY ACCORDING TO YOUR NEEDS High priced elliptical machines such as the Quantum Fitness or Life Fitness, Precor and SportsArt Fitness should be bought only if you are within a maximum weight of 400lbs. Such branded equipment costs between 41200-$5300. If your weight is within 250lbs and price is a consideration, you might consider opting for some of the lower priced models which usually retail for less than $1000.

Once you have a good idea of the various features you’re looking for in your ideal fitness machine and have a fixed budget in mind, buying an elliptical machine shouldn’t be too hard. But you should try and be aware that you are not forced to dole out extra for unnecessary features in your machine you may never use.

In conclusion, if you’re a little careful in the buying of it, and are aware of what you want, you could soon possess a great piece of equipment in your elliptical machine, one that’s all the rage right now!

The elliptical trainer is fast becoming one of the most popular pieces of exercise equipment. You’ll see them in every profession health club and they are increasingly being bought for use in the home. Here are some of the benefits of using elliptical machines as part of your exercise program.All Round Fitness

An elliptical trainer will work both your legs and your arms. This can help burn off more calories and tone the muscles in both of these areas. It also provides a great cardiovascular work out that builds stamina and endurance.

Low Impact

The gentle circular motion does not cause undue stress on the joints. Using equipment like a treadmill can cause stress to the knee and foot joints. This can lead to discomfort and in some cases injury.

Variety

A home elliptical trainer is easy to use but there is enough variety to stop you getting bored. You can add variety to your exercise routines by concentrating on using your arms for 2 minutes then your legs for 2 minutes and alternating this through your work out. You can also take advantage of the ability to go backwards. Most of the new ellipticals have built in programs on their computers, which will add another interesting dimension to your exercise routines.

Quiet

Modern elliptical machines use magnetic or electromagnetic resistance and they are very quiet to use. This is ideal for the home setting where you maybe exercising in a room where others are also relaxing. Their quiet operation also makes listening to music or watching TV possible during your workout.

Value for Money

Home elliptical machines are available in all price ranges from budget machines right up to professional models. When you compare them to the price of an annual gym membership they work out at amazing value for money. And as a bonus, the whole family can enjoy using it.

OK, you know that you need to lose a few pounds, but where do you start? You could go jogging, but that’s a bit boring. Weights are another option, but you want to lose some inches not build muscle. Let me give you a tip. Using an elliptical trainer to lose weight is fun and suitable for all ages and levels of fitness.There are a number of reasons why an elliptical machine is one of the best pieces of equipment to help you shift some excess pounds. It has a smooth gentle action, so there is no pressure on the joints as with jogging or using a treadmill. The machine exercises the arms at the same time as the legs. This helps to burn more calories and is therefore more effective than an exercise bike.

If you are buying an elliptical for home use, you should get one that has a heart rate monitor. This will help you gauge the level of exercise intensity that you need to reach to get into the ‘fat burning zone’. If you are using equipment in a gym this will most certainly already be on the machine. The most common type has a handgrip sensor. But a more accurate type is a belt sensor that will fit around the chest.

To burn off the calories you should be aiming to use your elliptical trainer 4-5 times per week for a period of 20-30 minutes. This type of approach to exercise could be described as ‘little and often’. It’s much better than trying to do a one and half hour marathon once a week. If you have not exercised for some time, then ease yourself into it and build up the number of times that you exercise. You may need to check with your doctor to make sure that you are on the right track.

All but the very cheapest models have a variety of exercise programs built into their computers. This is one of the biggest benefits of using an elliptical trainer for weight loss. There is enough variety and enjoyment to make sure you stick with your exercise program and not abandon it after a few weeks.

1. Is there a certain system for getting the best abs possible? You can get great abs by doing crunches, deadlifts and heavy squats. In fact, you may even have great abs now. You just can’t see them because there is a layer of fat over them. This means that in order to get the best abs you need to be able to see them and that is done by getting lean. Cardio and a healthy, low fat diet are very important for getting the best abs that you can get. You have to do a combination of cardio exercise, healthy diet and weights and floor work.2. I work long hours and don’t have time for exercise. Is there a workout that is short but effective?

You can do quick workouts; it just may take you longer to see results. Work upper body one day and lower body the next with 20 to 30 minutes of cardio. Interval training can cut your workout even more.

3. I do hundreds of crunches a day but I still can’t see my abs. What’s going on?

If all you are doing are ab exercises, then you are only doing part of the task. You can do all the crunches that you want and have the best abs ever, but if you don’t do anything to lose the layer of fat that covers your abs, you will never see them.

4. I think I hit a plateau in my workout. What can I do to start seeing results again?

It is time to change up your workout. Do different exercises and different cardio. If you normally cycle or walk on a treadmill, join a kickboxing class. If you usually do cardio first, then your workout, try interval training.

5. I hate going to the gym. Is there something that I can do at home? You can do a workout at home and you don’t need any special equipment. You can purchase an exercise video or you can meet with a trainer and have him or her create a home workout routing that is custom made for you.

6. I am really uncomfortable and embarrassed working out at the gym. What can I do to overcome it?

You can talk to the people who work at the gym and ask them the times that the gym is the least populated. You can work out at that time. Your other option is to work out at home. You can purchase an exercise video or book and do your own routine in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

7. Are there any workouts that I can do at home?

There are many exercises that you can do at home. There are many exercise books and videos on the market. Find a couple that appeal to you and alternate between them so that you do not become bored. Look for ones that focus on getting you the best abs possible.

8. Do I need a personal trainer to workout?

A personal trainer can help you find the best workout for you, can help keep you motivated and teach you the proper form for doing the exercises. While it may not be exactly necessary to hire a personal trainer, it is a good idea if you have never worked out before or you haven’t worked out in a while. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to have them work with you for one or two sessions.

9. Is there a certain diet I can do that will help me get great abs? You want to cut fat but get enough calories for energy and enough protein for muscle building. Focus on lean meats, fish twice a week at least, fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains. You should also drink lots of water and cut out the sodas.

10. Why should I talk to my doctor before starting an exercise? Your doctor can advise you of any limitations that you may have regarding exercise. Also, if you have any medical condition that would be exacerbated with exercise or that would cause you to have problems if you exercised, the he can tell you and even tell you how to combat it and get the best abs ever.