Regular exercise is not just for the pro or amateur athlete. It is important for a person to work some exercise into her life for many reasons. It is no secret that regular exercise has many benefits to one’s overall health. So, what exercise equipment should the serious workout artist have in her home gym? Take a look.
What's Wrong with a Fitness Center
Not everyone can afford a costly gym membership. Even if a membership is in the budget, often a person has to wait in lines to get to use the equipment, especially on crowded days. This can really set a workout routine out of kilter.
Without proper sanitization, sharing exercise equipment can increase the spread of colds, flu and even warts. Not everyone wants to feel as if she needs to buy a “workout wardrobe” or be in a public place while working out. With most busy schedules today, leaving home to drive to the gym is a hassle, weakening the chances of keeping up the routine.
Basic Home Gym Equipment
Why not make an exercise room in the home? There is a huge array of equipment available, making it somewhat confusing when trying to purchase what is needed to stay fit. What is absolutely necessary? How much is too much? Will that “thing” really do any good?
Start with the basics. A home gym needn’t be expensive or take up tons of space. A few carefully chosen pieces in place, and it is time to begin exercising. A personal trainer and physical therapist, and experts from the American Council on Exercise and American College of Sports Medicine have compiled the following list of equipment necessary to get you started [At Home Workouts: 5 Essential Items for a Home Gym, Colette Bouchez, WebMD, 2009].
Dumbbells
For a proper workout of arms and upper torso, dumbbells are the first thing to buy. There are fixed weight dumbbells, and those with adjustable weights. Fixed weight dumbbells are convenient and easy to use, but one may need several sets in different sizes for a complete workout.
Barbells
This piece of equipment is larger than dumbbells, giving a person a more vigorous and widespread workout (working the larger muscle groups). These can be purchased as fixed weights or adjustable weights.
Exercise Bench
A reclining, adjustable, sturdy exercise bench is recommended, as it will provide better support than some cheaper models. A good quality bench will also ensure safety. Consider possible attachments for working arms and legs.
Chin-up Bar
Chin-ups are excellent for a strength-building workout. It is easy to install the bar, so long as it is secure.
Jump Rope
Jumping rope for just a few minutes a day is as good for your heart as a 30-minute walk. It can be a nice break to a regular exercise routine.
Growing the Home Gym
For a person with the room and the budget, she may wish to add the following items to the gym. Some may help one get in shape faster and easier, others just make it more fun.
For cardiovascular workouts, add a stationary bike, rowing machine, stepping machine, or treadmill. Exercise to music or videos to make the time more fun.
Strength training gear could include an all-in-one gym. Though larger and more expensive, they reduce the risk of injury when working out, especially without a personal trainer present.
Balance equipment challenges a person while exercising. Stability balls, exercise pads, wobble boards, and balance beams are all intended to make the body work to balance as weights are being lifted.
Quality Versus Quantity
Make sure that any equipment purchased is of good quality. Even if the “top of the line” equipment is not feasible, get the best that is affordable. Inspect it to check for safety, stability, and special features. Inquire about a service warranty.
It is possible to use some common household items as exercise equipment. These items include:
- A broom can stand in as a balance bar.
- Books can form a small “step” on which to work calf muscles.
- Soup cans substitute for dumbbells or free weights.
- A chair helps to perform any number of seated exercises.
Magazines and videos are widely available demonstrating exercises that can be done at home without special equipment. Extreme caution is necessary when using household items in place of professional equipment.
With a little space planning, a few small purchases, some ingenuity and motivation, a person can have a complete, total body workout center in her basement or spare room. Consider stacking some towels nearby for the end of an exercise session. Keep water bottles handy, and save the time it would have taken to get to the gym. Add those minutes to a workout routine instead.
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