How to Setup a Home Fitness Room
Everything to Create a Gym at the House – From Treadmills to Weights
Nov 28, 2008
For some of us the notion of stepping foot in a public gym is an unwelcome idea. A well disciplined person can find great comfort in establishing a fitness routine in the house. Setting up a home gym requires evaluation of space, fitness needs and goals, as well as budget allowances.
Choosing the Exercise Room
Use these tips to choose the best room in the house to devote a corner or area to your new fitness equipment:
- Avoid setting up a treadmill in the master bedroom; choose the guest bedroom or basement instead.
- You’ll want plenty of ceiling clearance for bigger items such as an elliptical trainer, stationary bicycle or treadmill – these make the workout user much taller than he/she is when standing.
- Choose a room that doesn’t get a lot of family traffic so you aren’t interrupting other household members’ routines.
Picking the Right Home Fitness Equipment
Deciding on home gym equipment depends on space, fitness needs and abilities and of course your budget. Ask your doctor about starting an exercise program and get his or her feedback on what is appropriate for your health needs. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, or AAOS, recommends weight bearing workouts of thirty minutes in length four or more days a week for women. Swimming and bicycle riding do not count towards weightbearing activities to help prevent bone loss or osteoporosis.
Once your fitness goals have been determined by you and your doctor or with guidance from a personal trainer you can choose your fitness equipment. Select from tools for both cardio workouts and weight training.
Cardio Equipment:
- Treadmill – from compact folding treadmills to more advanced machines that feature incline workouts and heart rate detectors
- Exercise bike – the stationary bicycle is a popular seated exercise machine but new variations include stairclimbers and seat-less workouts
- Elliptical machine – a two-part exercise machine, the elliptical trainer has the user moving both legs and arms for a different workout than the treadmill
- Rowing machine – a seated fitness machine that imitates rowing motions activating the arms and legs
- Kickboxing equipment – for kickboxing workouts at home
- Boxing equipment – might include boxing gloves, punching bags, speed bags or freestanding bags
Strength Training or Weight Lifting Equipment:
- Yoga mat – exercise mats help cushion the body when doing squats or mat-based exercises
- Exercise ball – a great tool for those with lower back complaints or for prenatal workouts
- Weights – includes kettlebells, weight bars, dumbbells barbells and burn machines
- Weight bench – comes in a variety of formats for upper body, lower body and full body workouts
Saving Money on the Home Gym
Once the preferred exercise routine has been determined saving money on purchases for home gym equipment will require research for the shopper. Big ticket items may be found on sale at fitness equipment stores. Sometimes a piece of exercise equipment can be found in resale shops or at yard sales. Choose used fitness machines carefully, checking for defects, rust and wear areas and potential hazards.
Justifying home gym purchases may be easy when compared to gym memberships that go unused. Be sure to check on warranties and factory guarantees in case of problems with the equipment later on.
Cardio machines tend to run the most costly so if you are already getting cardio elsewhere look for equipment for strength training for the home gym. Don’t underestimate the power of a good collection of fitness DVDs to settle into a workout routine. Aerobic exercises can help achieve heart rate goals and are less expensive than a treadmill.
References:
Weightbearing Exercise for Women and Girls, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, accessed online November 2008.
 |
 |
 |
