Designing a Home Gym

Designing a home gym is important if you decide that working out at home makes the most sense. The first consideration of your home gym will be the location. You may choose the basement. But if it is dark and damp, this is not an inspiring environment.

Another consideration for your home gym is an extra bedroom or part of a family room or den. You want an inviting location for your home gym that is well ventilated and provides sufficient light.

For those that like to keep up with the latest news or the soaps, a room with a television would be appropriate for your home gym.

If lack of space is a consideration, there is fitness equipment like a folding treadmill or compact home gyms that minimize required space.

Selecting the Proper Equipment For Your Home Gym

In determining what fitness equipment to purchase for your home gym, you need to define your goals and consider the type of exercise machines that can help you reach those goals. Numerous homes are littered with unused exercise equipment that substitutes for clothes hangers.

Too often people buy informercials equipment that is that latest fad. This is a common mistake when designing a home gym. They discover that the exercise bores them, and that the equipment is poorly built and does not deliver on the promises.

Another common mistake is buying cheap fitness equipment for a home gym that provides an unsatisfactory workout and frequently requires repair. This is particularly true when purchasing a treadmill. A cheap treadmill is unstable, noisy and can be a shock to your joints.

Here are some valuable tips on buying various types of fitness equipment for your home gym:

Treadmills

For walkers and runners a treadmill is a logical choice for a home gym. And the good news is the recent models are built for endurance and a pleasurable cardio experience. A Treadmill is the most efficient equipment to burn calories and lose weight, that is why they are the most popular piece of fitness equipment for a home gym.

You'll want a treadmill with a motor that is continuous duty with a rating of at least 2.0 HP. Continuous duty motors give you constant maximum power. Non continuous motors are unable to run smoothly for an extended period of time.

Select a treadmill for your home gym that accommodates your stride with an adequate length and width. The deck should be at least 18" x 53". If you are a runner and tall, you may want to consider a "stretch" model. The deck should have a reasonable amount of cushion for minimal impact on your feet, ankles and knees. Several manufacturers offer extra thick cushioned treadmills as an option.

For the variety of different family members that use the home gym, you'll want a treadmill with incline control and computerized programming. Incline control simulates an uphill climb, while the electronics can be programmed to create a diversity of running or walking experiences.

Home Gyms

Multi-station home gyms provide health club quality strength training in the comfort of your home. Depending on the model you can get over 50 exercises. A home gym offers a complete strength building workout for the entire body. And as the name implies, multi-station home gyms allow for more then one person to workout at once.

Look for fitness equipment that has a natural resistance feel. The quality of the cables and pulleys will make the difference and will guarantee longevity. That smooth feel is usually lacking on so-called home gyms that rely on bands or bows rather then actual weight racks. In addition, you want a home gym that has ergonomic features. The shape and location of pad, pop pin and pivot point should feel natural.

Elliptical Trainers

Elliptical trainers offer a no-impact workout that exercises numerous muscle groups and are becoming the must-have piece for a home gym. This no-impact workout is achieved through the dual cross-trainer arms combined with the foot pedals. Elliptical trainers provide the following advantages:

Time Efficiency - The dual action of arms and legs optimizes energy expenditure. Requires less time to achieve more results. That's why they are quickly becoming so popular for home gyms.

Weight Bearing Exercise - Builds bone density and burns calories more efficiently. Inhibits the onset of osteoporosis.
No Impact - Safe for joints. Ideal workout for people with back, knee, hips and joint problems.
Low Maintenance - Less impact means less wear and tear.
Small Footprint - Does not take up valuable floor space.

As with treadmills, elliptical trainers vary from K-mart specials to health club quality. It is important to find a motorized machine that has a natural stride and is built to last.

This is a just a short list of potential home fitness equipment for your home gym. It can be supplemented with stationary bikes, free weight, steppers, aerobic videos, rowing machine and countless other products.

Determine your goals (lose weight, build strength, etc.), then narrow your search to the appropriate equipment for your home gym. The selection needs to be based on what will work for you, not what will be the best for hanging laundry.

You can purchase Treadmills, Elliptical Trainers and Home Gyms Factory Direct at Smooth Fitness

Order online and have your own fitness equipment delivered to your home.

There's No Place Like Home

Fact: When it is convenient you'll exercise more often.

Do you ever blow off exercising because of the hassle of driving to the club? Or if you're an outdoor enthusiast, how often do you miss your workout due to weather that sucks? Not just freezin cold, but also blistering hot and humid days.

At Smooth Fitness you can purchase a factory direct treadmill, and have it delivered to your home. You won't have any excuses not to look hot. All treadmills come with a 30 day money back guarantee and industry leading warranties.

Get in shape, lose the extra pounds and just feel great
without leaving your home.

We make it easy at Smooth Fitness