Budget-friendly Home Gym
The next time you see one of those expensive, high-tech exercise machines advertised on TV, keep in mind this: You can’t buy your way to fitness by spending your money on them.
I am sure that that gym-quality treadmill or multi-part weight machine may look great in your spare bedroom or den if it is made of gym-quality materials.
It might even be fun and motivate you to stick with a fitness routine even if it is not your favorite. You have to remember that in the end, your success depends more on you than on expensive gym equipment or steep monthly membership fees.
No matter how much money you have to burn or how tight your budget is, you can build an entire home gym for a fraction of the price of just one fancy piece of equipment.
The first thing you need to do is ask yourself some basic questions. How will you be working out? What kind of exercises will you be doing? Can you tell me how much space you have available to you? If you are purchasing a treadmill, for example, it will take up roughly 30 square feet of space.
Budget-friendly Home GYM
How much money can you afford? In addition to that, if you are a beginner, what is the most important thing to consider: are you physically ready to start working out? You should talk to your doctor before starting a fitness program, especially if you have any existing medical conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, or heart trouble, or if you are at risk for any of these conditions.
Make sure you come up with a plan and get your doctor’s approval before you begin.
Strength training equipment that is basic (and inexpensive)
As a next step, you will need to make a list of the fitness equipment that you will need. There would not be a gym that would be complete without something for doing resistance exercises in it.
There would be a new line of state-of-the-art resistance machines at a health club as well as some gleaming new weights at the gym.
In the case of your home gym, a little bit of improvisation can go a long way. As a beginner weightlifter, you can start by lifting large cans of soup, plastic bottles, or plastic milk jugs filled with water or sand if you are a beginner.
Be sure to use proper technique when you lift anything, no matter what you are lifting. There is no other way to get the most out of the exercise without getting hurt in the process.
Alternatively, if you don’t want to spend money on a personal trainer session, you can rent an instructional video or you can borrow one from a local library if you don’t want to pay for one.
If you are interested in learning more about the proper techniques for lifting weights, you might consider signing up for a free trial membership at the gym — some gyms even offer free trials.
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In time, you will probably be able to purchase real weights as your strength improves. Some weights are surprisingly expensive, but you can definitely find some bargains if you know where to look.
In your local newspaper or on the internet, you may be able to find used equipment listed in classified ads.
There are also some sporting goods stores that specialize in selling second-hand equipment as well. It should be possible for you to find hand weights (also referred to as free weights) for anywhere between $4 and $150.
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As well as weights, you might also want to purchase some exercise bands in addition to the weights.
It is possible to replicate the workouts that can be done with a Bowflex or other high-end weight machines with the help of these inexpensive elastic bands.
An instructional video can also help you get the most out of exercise bands if you want to learn how to use them effectively.
Stretching and getting your heart rate up
As far as cardiovascular workouts (also known as aerobic workouts) are concerned, there are a lot of low-cost options available to you.
There are stepping benches and training tapes that are available for about $150 that give you the benefits of a top-quality stair stepper without the sticker price of $3,000 for a set of benches and training tapes.
Make sure that you do not buy a cheap stepping machine for a few hundred dollars. It has been reported that inexpensive machines in general (not just stair steppers) are often low-quality and can wear out or break down before you get your money’s worth, according to the American Council on Exercise.
Don’t forget one of the cheapest options of all — the stairs themselves!
With a jump rope, you can also get a fun, effective cardio workout that you will enjoy. Make sure that your ceilings are high enough if you plan to jump rope indoors, and watch out for lamps and ceiling fans if you do intend to jump rope.
For those who don’t enjoy jumping rope, you might want to try renting some dance or workout videos instead if you don’t enjoy jumping rope.
In place of buying a stationary bicycle, you might be better off purchasing a trainer (a stand that allows you to ride a regular bike in place) to use with the bike that’s already sitting in your garage instead of buying a stationary bike.
You might even want to strap on a helmet and take your workout outside for some fresh air — it will be a lot more fun than cycling inside your house.
Are you on the lookout for bargains?
It goes without saying that there are many reasons that you may want to create your own mini-gym in the comfort of your own home.
A new baby, long hours at work, or children who need you until they go to bed may make it difficult for you to get any real exercise.
If that is the case, you may find that investing the money in a treadmill or a stationary bike — or both — is actually a worthwhile investment, especially if you are a seasoned exerciser.
There is another instance in which a trial gym membership may prove to be useful in this situation.
The advantage of doing this is not just that you get a chance to see which machines you like, but you will also be able to get some on-site instruction at a fraction of the cost of hiring a personal trainer.
You can cross-train if you own both a treadmill and a stationary bike. For example, if you own both, you can walk and ride the bike one night and run on the treadmill the next.
Having your own personal equipment means that you have complete control over the time you spend working out: You can run or ride your bike before supper after the kids go to sleep, or while you watch your favorite show while you exercise.
In order to stay within your budget, be sure to check the Internet for bargains among your local sports dealers to find good deals.
During some store sales, you may be able to find a treadmill that is of good quality for less than $600.
In addition, you may want to look for a reputable dealer that sells used equipment that has a good reputation.
I would recommend that you try the machine out before you buy it so that you will know that it works, what fitness benefits it offers, and if it is right for you to purchase.
When you like the exercise machine you are using, you are more likely to stick with it.
There is a newsletter produced by Cornell University’s Weill Medical College called the Food & Fitness Advisor, which recommends that you ask any seller about the equipment’s warranty and safety features before buying it.
A treadmill, for example, should have good shock absorbers in order to minimize the possibility of injury to the user.
It is also a good idea to find out how these safety features work before you take the machine home with you.
You can even have the equipment delivered and set up at your home by some sports dealers.
Also, don’t forget to stretch, as stretching should be as much a part of your workouts as building muscle and boosting your heart rate should be.
As a result of stretching, we become more flexible, prevent our muscles from tensing up and shortening, and maintain our range of motion.
The best way to learn the basics of stretching is to rent or purchase a good video to help you along the way.
Last but not least, you should think about where you will exercise. As per the Food & Fitness Advisor, creating a pleasant environment for your workouts, such as a room with no windows, a TV, or a good sound system, will make working out more enjoyable and more attractive for you.
There are a number of inexpensive items you can purchase to complete your home gym
You can add comfort and variety to your home workouts with the following low-cost items:
There is no doubt that a yoga mat will make it easier for you to do sit-ups, stretches, and yoga poses. (It will also help you protect your floor from scratches.)
If you have had the right training, then you might want to consider investing in a weightlifting bench.
There will be a greater range of exercises that you will be able to perform, and you will be more comfortable.
As a final note, I would like to suggest that you invest in a full-length mirror before you go shopping.
There’s no doubt you’re going to enjoy working out in your new home gym after a few months of using it.
References
There is an American Council on Exercise that encourages exercise. I am going to tell you how to design your own home gym in this article.
I am a member of the American Council on Exercise (ACE). According to a press release from the American Council on Exercise, Americans are most interested in getting a flat stomach, building muscle mass, and having the right exercise equipment.
Weill Medical College of Cornell University’s Food & Fitness Advisor newsletter is published quarterly. A home gym can be created right in the comfort of your own home.
Georgia State University is located in Atlanta, Georgia. Home fitness is a great way to get in shape.
It is the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons that is responsible for this. “How to select the right home exercise equipment for your needs”