Home Fitness Gym Resources

Building a home gym can help you achieve you fitness goals.

For those who strive to create a strong fitness regimen, one of the biggest hurdles to overcome is having to go to an offsite gym to complete a workout. It can be difficult to find the motivation to go on a regular basis. Fitness enthusiasts can put together an effective home gym by choosing the proper equipment.

Exercise Mat

Exercise mats are an important staple of any home gym, and are among the most inexpensive exercise items. Mats allow you to do stretches, as well as exercises such as crunches and push-ups without having to sit on a hard, uncomfortable surface. In general, exercise mats can be purchased for as little as $20.

Bench

Weight benches are necessary for certain exercises. The bench press works the chest and arms. The bench unit also is used to perform dumbbell flys and seated dumbbell curls. A weight bench can also be used as a platform for doing abdominal exercises such as sit-ups and crunches.

Treadmill/Exercise Bike

A home gym might also incorporate at least one cardio machine. Cardiovascular exercises help to strengthen the heart and lungs, and can be a major factor in helping to lose weight. Choose a cardio machine that you will be likely to use on a daily basis; depending upon your preferences, this could be a treadmill, exercise bike or elliptical machine.

Weights

A complete home gym has at least a few different types of weights available. Dumbbells are easy to use for multiple exercises, while barbells are useful for lifting on the bench. Choose a well-rounded assortment of weights.

Exercise Balls and Bands

Exercise balls (or stability balls) and resistance bands are extremely versatile and useful for a variety of different stretches and exercises. Push-ups, floor crunches, leg lifts and more can be performed with an exercise ball, as can post workout stretches. Exercise bands are ideal for strength and resistance training, and are easily portable. Exercise balls and bands are relatively inexpensive additions to your other home-gym equipment.

References

• StrongLifts.com: How to Build a Home Gym: A Buyer's Guide to Gym Equipment
• MuscleHack.com: Building a Home Gym
• HomeGymAdviser.com: Building a Home Gym on a Budget