These days when health is a major concern, there really is no excuse for anyone not to keep fit. That explains the increasing appeal of home gym equipment as a means for people to improve their fitness levels, trim off excess fat and simply feel good. If getting fit and healthy is one of your top priorities, the best time to start is now. Here are ways to incorporate your health needs into a working home gym:
Consider your fitness level
Never ever invest in a home gym that is too complicated for your fitness level. If you’re a beginner, a multi-gym may look like a very impressive machine but it can do more than what you’re presently capable of doing. The machine offers 40 exercise variations and you can only do 5. The equation just isn’t right.
True, with time, effort and patience, you can probably progress from there. The problem is, you’ll be spending too much money on equipment you won’t be using a lot. Best invest on a home gym that offers you the basic workouts necessary to meet your fitness level. If in the future you’ll need more challenge, you can purchase additional equipment progressively.
Get cardiovascular training.
If you’ve read articles on fitness magazines, you’ll inevitably come across the word ‘cardio’. That is short for cardiovascular. It refers to exercises that help you increase your heart rate. This will encourage your blood to get pumping to help you burn more calories and lose the excess fat gradually. These exercises will require you to move faster and exert more effort.
Generally, you will need home gym equipment that allows you to perform cardio exercises. In fact, in nearly all home gyms, you will find cardiovascular machines. They are the core of the gym, the basis upon which all exercise routines are founded. Some of the equipment that serves this purpose includes:
the stationary bike
the Rowing machine
the treadmill
the Elliptical
the Stair climber
Build your strength.
Although people of average health needs will do well with regular use of cardio equipment and exercises, many opt to extend their routines to include strength-building. For this purpose, a good set of weights will do. Dumbbells, weighted vests, ankle weights and kettlebells are good choices. Lifting heavy weights help build muscle mass and trim off fat while burning calories at the same time. Plus, they’re excellent for toning muscles and eliminating ‘jiggles’ such as those found in the upper arms, butt and thighs.
Consider weights starting at a low 3lbs. for women and teens and 5 to 10lbs. for men. Graduated weights are often sold as sets so you should have sufficient choice for different fitness and health needs. Remember to start your routines using lighter weights. As your strength builds, you can progress to heavier weights.
Weights are very affordable (you can purchase dumbbells starting at just $0.35 a pound) and easy to find. Sporting goods stores and supermarkets carry them.
If you don’t want to spend more on strength training equipment but want to build your muscles, consider the rowing machine. It’s an excellent cardio equipment and also works out and fine tunes different muscle groups such as those found in your arms, butt, thighs and legs.
Toning
If your fitness goal is to tone your body, you can purchase home gym equipment that allow cardio exercises and then go for those that offer resistance training. Toning exercises are excellent for people who want to trim fat but don’t want too much muscle. Light weights can help, so do resistance bands, yoga and Pilates workouts.
Determine the number of users.
The number of people in your household who will be using the home gym will also determine the kind of equipment you should buy. Remember that each member of your family will have different health needs they want to address. You might need abs training, for example while your spouse requires strength training. Your children, on the other hand, may require cardio training.
Consider the health needs that your ideal home gym equipment will have to meet  lose weight, trim off fat, increase muscle mass, tone muscles or burn calories more efficiently. Once you understand what people who will be using the home gym require, you will be able to identify which equipment to purchase.
See your doctor.
Before starting a home fitness routine, it’s a good idea to get your physician’s green light. Having your doctor check your health conditions will help you identify the types of exercises that will be helpful for you. This will then guide you on which equipment to buy for your home gym. Furthermore, your doctor will help rule out any health conditions you may have that may hamper your performance.
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