Your Gym Advice

With the busy lifestyle we all live these days, making the time to travel to and spend at the local gym on a weekly basis can often be simply impractical. If you’re serious about getting fit and healthy, building a home gym may be the recipe to get into shape.

When looking to build a gym, you need to think seriously about exactly what exercises are right for you before investing in expensive gym equipment.

Write down a clear plan for your new gym, what you need, and how much to spend. Start your search with second hand gym equipment, this can save literally thousands of dollars, often for near new fitness equipment.

So What Should Be Included In Your Gym?

- Free Weights

Free weights are one of the most diverse pieces of equipment to purchase for your gym whether you’re a serious body-builder or just getting started. Free weights can include basic dumb-bells, a bench press machine, barbells or weight plates. Free weights can also be used with stand-alone exercises to add resistance. One advantage of buying free weights is that you’ll use them the first day you use your gym, and you’ll still be using them three years down the track. When purchasing dumb-bells, it is a good idea to buy a set that includes a bar and separate weights, rather than molded dumb-bells. This means you can simply add heavier weights as you progress.

You should also think about getting a bench with your weights. There are a wide range of benches available, from fully adjustable benches to basic stationary benches. Although benches seem to be a very basic aspect, spending a little extra can expand your options for a range of muscle building exercises. I suggest choosing at minimum a bench with a basic incline option.

- Multi-station Equipment

Another good option is going with a multi-station gym center. These can be costly, but are an excellent option for simulating popular free-weight exercises, while keeping your gym compact. Before committing to one piece of equipment, discuss your goals with a fitness expert and make sure you will take full advantage of the machines features.

- Variable-Resistance Equipment

What are variable resistance machines? Think Nautilus® or Bowflex®. These are some of the more popular variable resistance machines providing a controlled alternative to free-weight training.

The main benefit of variable resistance equipment is the constant resistance in the range of movement for the particular muscle group you are training. Another advantage over traditional weight training is that by working with constant resistance, you make the muscle stronger and you do it much faster than traditional techniques.

This type of training also allows you to work as much or as little on specific muscle groups to reach your goals. There is the benefit of working that resistance through a greater range of movement that it is one of the most time-effective workout methods.

Adding variable-resistance equipment to your home gym is a good way to add structure to your workouts, working on tone as well as building muscle.

Portability is another major bonus of variable-resistance equipment. These pieces of equipment tend to take up little space and can often be easily dismantled for storage.

As far as which is best, free weights or variable-resistance, each has it’s own advantages depending on your specific fitness goals.

Home Gym Space

Now we’ve covered basic equipment, it’s time about to think about where you’re going to setup your home gym. Ideally you want to find a space that can get plenty of fresh air, a room with a view if you choose. If space is an issue, you may decide to go with a portable home gym, maybe a spare room that can be cleared when guests come. If you are going to be moving your gym equipment in and out, it’s a good idea to stay away from multi-station equipment, as these can be a recipe for disaster when moving. Garages can also be a good place for a home gym as the space is out of the way, generally well ventilated, and a good private place to work out.

Adding a television or stereo to your gym can also be a good idea. Many people soon find the motivation slipping, boredom setting in, and the gym being used less and less. Televisions and stereos are a great way to keep entertained while working out and keep progress on track.

When you exercise at home, you save cash and time. When you work toward improving health maintenance it often pays off tremendous benefits. We all should exercise at least three times each week for 20 to 30 minutes. Your life will feel richer when you exercise, many people have found this to be true, that is why so many are turning towards building their own home gym.

You can build a gym with just about anything in it. If there is a specific machine that you cannot get enough of at the gym then chances are you can find one for your home as well. The only thing that may stand in your way is the price of home gym equipment. You can generally find some affordable options but some machines are expensive no matter where you buy them from. That is why so many people look for their home gym machines in places like the Buy and Sell, buying used is a great way to save.

And don’t forget that you can get your walking in regardless of the weather by picking up a treadmill at a local yard sale too. The newer treadmills will provide you with the distance, heart rate, and even calorie counting that you need to know just how much fat and calories you are burning as you work. Treadmills are great home gym equipment pieces that give you alternatives in losing weight, toning up, and so much more.

Dumb Bells are bargain basement gym equipment that help you with weight resistanceand toning in a big way. You can buy dumb bells cheap, get them in many sizes to help tone the upper arms, and build strength. Dumb Bells will help you build a stronger and fitter body from your own home. They are easy to store as well and they take up next to no room whatsoever.

Aerobics are fun to do when you have a friend over. Get in a few laughs as the two of you learn the new steps of aerobic exercises. Learn to do aerobics’ and raise your heart rate by picking up an old CD or display from the local thrift store. Enjoy yourself and have fun doing aerobics in your living room right there in front of the TV.

Older exercises like ones where you recline on the floor and performance sit-ups, push-ups, etc are easier when you have equipment at home. You can watch the sporting programs on TV and enjoy extensive exercise shows to help you set up your own routines that work for you. Turn on the television and lay flat on the floor to workout with the instructor. This is a very cheap way to healthier living and all you need is a bottle of water for cool down!

When you exercise using your own home gym equipment, you will save money by not having to pay those expensive gym costs per visit and by driving less and wasting less gas. Having your own home gym gives you the advantage of working out more regularly too. When you have your own home gym, you can stay out of the cold weather and still workout.

Home gyms are becoming a rage these days. People are converting their study rooms and part of their sharing space in their house to accommodate a home gym. Home gyms are preferred because they cut down on time, are convenient and provide privacy. Before you zero in on a home gym of your choice, you need to consider your fitness need, the space available and then make a budget accordingly.

First and foremost do not cram your gym with all sort of needless equipment. For instance, if you want to lose weight or gain cardio resistance, then equipment like a powered cross trainer, a mechanized treadmill and a Swiss ball is enough. If you need to do strength training, then a Smith machine which costs $650 is apt. The cost of building a multi-gym to tone-up muscles can cost a cool $4800 upwards. This will include things like lighting, flooring, ventilation system, music and ambience.

The minimum area needed to build a home gym is about 150 square feet. There should be some area to move around too. If you have a 200 sq feet area, you can include a Jacuzzi as well. Apart from the main machines like the treadmill, the power plate machines; you should also keep dumb bells, resistance bands and an aerobic box. You should refrain from building your home-gym in the basement area.

Flooring is also an important part while building a gym. You can choose between rubber flooring or a vinyl flooring. Rubber flooring is good for cushioning any falls. One can be comfortable standing, running or walking freely easily unlike a tiled floor or carpeted flooring. Also rubber flooring can easily reduce the impact of any equipment fall. Rubber flooring is easy to maintain and clean as well. Vinyl flooring cuts down on the noise, is stain resistant, is hygienic and can be easily cleaned.

Light and air are two important factors in a gym. It is preferable to have a bold color on the walls to create the vibrant feeling. The lighting that is used should not hurt the eyes. You can have the lights hidden within concealed gloves. You can also use light fixtures that are shielded with frosted glass. This emits softer light which does not cause problems to the eyes while looking up at the ceiling. Dimmed lights are good for Yoga exercises or if you are relaxing after a workout session. You can also have lights concealed behind mirrors affixed on a well-lit wall.

Mirrors are an important part for your home gym because it helps to check your posture while you are working out. An exhaust fan and air conditioner also have a vital role to play when your body begins to generate heat and sweat. You can also keep your TV at eye level so that you don’t have to crane your neck while watching it. There is nothing like an invigorating music going on that compliments your workout style.

Iron Gym

I love exercising and I have been looking for looking for a bar that can help me in my pull ups. Most pull up bars cause problems in the door frames which is why I did not buy any pull up bars for a long time. However, when I saw the infomercial on the Iron Gym, I knew it was what I exactly needed.

Working out has been a part of my life from the very beginning. Weight benches, dumb bells and other gym equipments were a part of my home furniture till the time I got into this new job. Then the work pressure became so much that I simply gave up on exercising. As a result I developed a paunch and there was flab all over my body. I soon realized that I needed to get back to exercising if I wanted to have a good body and eventually a good life. Since there was a dearth of space in my new apartment, I could not get all my gym equipment. So all I did was to fix the Iron Gym Bar to my bedroom door! And I can tell you I am glad I did!

Iron Gym is one of the best things to happen to me! I am not exaggerating! The pull ups on this bar are worth every penny you spend on it. The pull ups help tone your chest, arms and back, in a single shot. Moreover, I have realized that doing abs crunches on a pull up bar is far more effective than doing them on the floor. They are more intense on the pull up bar so you achieve the same result in a lesser time and with lesser number of reps.

The Iron gym comes with Abs work out straps which cost an additional $7. These workout straps can help you get stronger. Though I don’t use them since I am already a seasoned player in this field, I recommend that newbies buy these straps since they can support you in the initial days. Whether you buy the straps or not, let me tell you that the Iron Gym is worth it! Just doing it for some time now and I already feel the difference in my abs! When I work out, I actually can make out my abs muscles working out. Obliques are also a lot of fun on this bar since all you need to do is twist and lift your legs.

Iron Gym is a great tool for your work outs. However, some people feel that the design of Iron Gym does not look very safe. I can vouch for the safety since I am 200 lbs and nothing has happened to me or my Iron Gym as yet.

So, if you want to build a body that’s lean and toned, Iron Gym should be able to help you in your quest. I have invested in Iron Gym and it’s helped my body to get fit and healthy!