If you currently have a home gym, or are contemplating building one, there’s a huge benefit to working out from home. No crowds, you can workout when the mood strikes, and you never have to listen to bad music! But, you might think, especially when you see the ads on TV for discount health clubs, that building a home gym isn’t cost effective. And, you’d be wrong. Actually, buiding a home gym can truly pay for itself over time. Let’s say your membership, with initiation fee and montly dues, runs an average of $50 / month. That’s $600 per year! Add in towel fees, locker fees, travel costs, a stop at the smoothie bar – and it’s even more than that. Isn’t the convenience of being able to work out, when you want, motivational to help you get the body you want? And, what if you could build that home gym at a cost that didn’t seem that extravagent? Here’s the essential pieces you need to start with to help create that ultimate home gym!
Your Gym’s Centerpiece – the Power Rack!
You should start with that one, foundation piece of equipment for your gym – the Power Rack. You can do body weight exercises with a power rack, along with giving you a mounting point for suspentiona trainers like the TRX System. A great power rack to consider is the Body Solid GPR378 Pro Power Rack.
Weights! The Olympic Bar and Bumper Plates
The best choice here is a standard, 45lb, Olympic Bar – perfect for squats, deadlifts, and bench presses – and it can handle heavier loads as you progress, unlike cheaper, standard bars that may weigh less than 30 lbs. And, bumper plates not only can keep you from damaging your floors, but their rubber coating is also good for if you bump into them as well.
Kettlebells
Swinging a kettlebell not only works additional stabilizer muscles in ways different than normal weights do, but you’ll quickly build your core as well, giving you additional stability for other workouts. You can either look at getting a number of kettlebells in different sizes, or look at a set of adjustable kettlebells, like the PowerBlock KettleBlock 40 – saving you space and money.
Cardio Machine – a Spin Bike
Long, agressive cardio workouts are great for building endurance, as well as burning fat. Going with a spin bike, like the Precor Spinner® Shift Indoor Cycle , gives you a workout just like you get in your local gym, while taking up very little space in your home.
Suspension Trainers
A suspension trainer is a great way to get you fit using your own body weight and strength. The TRX Home Suspension Training Kit gives you a great workout in very little space, and is portable so you can also take your workouts on the road when needed.
Dumbbells
Dumbbells are incredibly versatile. You not only get a great strength workout, but you build stability and power! Short on room? Save money and space with adjustable versions such as PowerBlocks adjustable dumbbells, which can replace an entire rack of conventional dumbbells for about half the price.
For more information about how to make your home gym a reality, whether you’re a local here in Phoenix or live in any other part of the country, contact Fitness 4 Home Superstore today and we’ll be happy to match you up with the perfect piece of exercise apparatus – cardio, strength, core or flexibility.
