5 Sure-Fire Tips To Save You $1000s On Your Home Gym

It always amazes me when people say "Home Gyms are expensive! I just don't have $1000's of dollars lying about" These people obviously haven't looked very hard because nowadays home gym equipment doesn't have to cost 2, 3 or even $4000 dollars.

Below are 5 great alternatives that won't cost you the earth but can do just a good a job as many of the commercial fitness equipment found in local gyms.

1. Dumbbells

For resistance weight training you can't go past dumbbells for their practicality and versatility. You can perform any number of exercises with dumbbells that even the more expensive weight machines can't do. These days you can get adjustable dumbbells which allow you to use add or remove weight from a single dumbbell with a simple pin, just like with traditional pin loaded weight machines.

This feature means you don't have to buy different weight dumbbells for different exercises and you save on floor space which can be used for cardio equipment like ellipticals or treadmills.

You can easily get a good quality quick change dumbbell set for less than $500. At that price you'd be silly to spend money on larger, muscle specific equipment even if you did have extra cash floating around.

2. Remanufactured

A lot of people these days are buying remanufactured exercise equipment, and for good reason. Remanufacturing involves taking a used machine and completely restoring it with new parts to make it look, feel and function like a new machine. Often the only part of the equipment that is not brand new is the frame.

By buying remanufactured or refurbished fitness equipment you can realistically save 50% off the normal, new retail price.

3. Used

Buying used or second-hand equipment can be a cost effective way of setting up your home gym. The only problem is you don't know how the previous owner treated the machine and if it has any problems. The last thing you want is for the machine to breakdown 6 weeks after buying it and finding out that it's not covered by warranty.

Sometimes the actual machine may seem like a bargain but future unforeseen expenses may make you regret your purchase. If at all possible get to test drive the machine and ask about the warranty.

4. Buy direct from the factory

Some online stores offer factory direct fitness equipment. By doing this you cut out the middle man and save big time. Remember just because it is cheap doesn't mean its poor quality. With so much competition online these days online suppliers are cutting costs to get market share. That means more money in your pocket!!

5. Added bonuses from reputable online suppliers

Some online suppliers will include free shipping with their products. This can greatly reduce the cost of piece of equipment if you add delivery to it.

Also make sure you check out the machines warranty. You can save yourself a lot of heart ache down the road if you make sure you're covered by a decent warranty which included motor, parts and labor.

Look for at least 6 months for parts and labor and 1 year for the motor for remanufactured equipment and 1-2 years parts, labor and motor for new equipment.

Now that you are armed with this information go and have a look around yourself you'll be surprised at what you find!

Dean Iggo is a keen fitness enthusiast and home gym user. He is also the webmaster of home-gym-buyers-guide.com. A website providing unbiased home exercise equipment tips and reviews.

In The News:


Children Tell Researchers: We'll Get Fit if It's Fun
MarketWatch - 4 hours ago
Fifty children aged 11 and 12 were asked to use exercise equipment combined with video games provided by a company called Gamercize. ...

LifeSpan Rowing Machine Wins Award in Best Fitness Equipment Review
MarketWatch - Nov 25, 2008
In its annual review of fitness equipment, ShapeYou.com awarded the top rated LifeSpan Rowing Machine a Seal of Excellence in the best fitness equipment ...

Push-Ups: 'It's Horizontal Jogging'
MarketWatch - 8 hours ago
Although the fitness industry may not want to hear it, but push-ups are free, require no equipment, are totally portable and there are no gimmicks. ...

New fitness center opens
The Times and Democrat, SC - 13 hours ago
Garvin invites the public to come in to try out the equipment. Fitness Pros offers non-contractual agreements and flexible payment plans, Garvin said. ...

PR Web (press release)

Tempe & Scottsdale Fitness Equipment Dealer, Fitness 4 Home ...
PR Web (press release), WA - Nov 26, 2008
Fitness 4 Home Superstore, Arizona's premier supplier of home and commercial fitness equipment, is extending special financing options to consumers in a ...

Precor Names New England, New York Metro Home Fitness Dealer
MarketWatch - Nov 20, 2008
HEST currently operates a successful chain of 14 fitness equipment stores throughout Texas. "We're looking forward to collaborating closely with this new ...
Precor Selects Sport Chalet for California, Arizona and Nevada PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung)
Precor Selects Sport Chalet for California, Arizona and Nevada MarketWatch
Sport Chalet Teams With TM Advertising MarketWatch
all 28 news articles

Standing up for fitness
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, HI - 7 hours ago
The latest fitness rage in Hawaii has slipped the bonds of the ball court and gymnasium. It requires no gears, pulleys, special shoes or fancy equipment. ...

Rec center gets new exercise equipment
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Towers Online, KY - Nov 25, 2008
Students should make an effort to work exercise into their weekly routine, he said, because physical fitness usually translates into increased mental energy ...

Local districts push to pump up gym class
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, NY - 5 hours ago
The Churchville-Chili district also plans to use a grant to buy exercise equipment that will help those with short- and long-term medical issues stay fit. ...

IDEA Health & Fitness Association Reveals Top Tips for Selecting ...
Emediawire (press release), WA - 2 hours ago
... than 23000 members in over 80 countries, continuously polls its members, to identify the latest trends in fitness programs, equipment and facilities. ...
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