How to Buy a Personal Home Gym

A home gym allows you to work out in private without the inconvenience of commuting to a health club. The basic exercise recommendations for healthy adults from the American College of Sports Medicine suggest 20 minutes of intense cardiovascular exercise three days a week, and strength training twice a week. Individuals with a preexisting health condition should consult a health professional before starting an exercise program.

Budget: The type of fitness equipment you buy for your home gym depends on your budget. The cost of buying your home gym starts at around $50, but you could also spend more than $10,000. Exercise machines like the treadmill and weight machines you see at the gym, along with home workout stations, cost more than exercise balls, dumbbells and resistance bands.

Fit Your Body: Home gym equipment comes with varying maximum weight allowances. Read the instruction manual and consult with a sales professional or the manufacturer to ensure the piece of fitness equipment you plan to by supports your weight and height.

Considerations: Before you invest in a home gym, think about several factors, as recommended by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Consider your level of self-motivation. If you currently exercise regularly at home with an exercise bike, videos or dumbbells, building a home gym makes sense. If you need the motivation of a personal trainer, fitness instructor or the watchful eyes of the members of your health club, a home gym might not suit your needs. Evaluate the space you select for your home gym for ample space, lighting and ventilation. Avoid purchasing home gym equipment too large for the space in your home.

Cardio Equipment: The intensity and duration of your workout, along with your fitness goals and the activities you enjoy, help decide which piece of cardio equipment is the best investment for your home gym. If you prefer walking and running, treadmills offer you a cardiovascular workout even in inclement weather. Walking on a treadmill serves as an appropriate exercise for individuals new to working out and those, under supervision of a doctor, building strength and endurance to prevent or recover from illness or injury. Stationary bikes, ideal for individuals with a penchant for cycling come in both recumbent and upright styles. ACE recommends a stationary bike for those with lower back pain because it places less stress on your joints than a treadmill. An elliptical machine allows individuals to walk and run without placing stress on your joints, as well as workout your arms on machines with an upper body component.

References:

ACE: What's the Best Piece of Cardio Equipment to Use
American College of Sports Medicine: Physical Activity and Public Health Guidelines
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Selecting Home Exercise Equipment
Weight-Control Information Network: Active at Any Size
Fitness: Build a Home Gym on a Budget