5 Ways To Get The Most From Your Home Gym

A home gym can help you build muscle, produce an attractive body, rev up a sluggish metabolism and shave years off your age.

If you choose wisely, you'll have all the tools you need to accomplish these goals (and more). But not everyone knows where to start or how to get the most from a home gym.

When clients ask me about buying home gym equipment, here are 5 things I tell them to get the most from their purchase:

1) Buy a well rounded piece of equipment:

Unless you have hundreds of square feet in your home to dedicate to multiple pieces of equipment, you should look for a home gym that covers all the major exercises (including the ones you don't like), such as chest, back, legs (hamstrings & quadriceps), shoulders, biceps and triceps.

2) Make sure your home gym is stable:

There's a saying, 'You get what you pay for.' Most of the inexpensive home gyms you buy from a local department store have very narrow bases, so they tend to rock a bit. Stay away from home gyms that do not have a good stable base.

For a basic rule of thumb, look at home gyms that are more 'square' or 'as high as they are wide'. As an example, you won't want a home gym that 10ft high x 2 ft wide x 2 ft deep, unless you are going to anchor it to a concrete floor.

3) Put your home gym in a place you will use it:

If you leave your home gym in a room you normally don't go into to, odds are high that you aren't going to use it. The more inviting the room where you place your equipment, the more likely you will use it (how many of us really want to work out in a dungeon?).

If there's only one place you can place your home gym, then work on the room. Maybe add a coat of paint or put up pictures that inspire you. Add a stereo system or a wall mounted television. By making the room inviting and inspiring, you'll ensure that workouts will be enjoyable.

4) Make a simple & short workout routine:

Don't go making or using 'Mr. Or Ms. Olympia' home gym workouts. That's the first big mistake that people make when they first get their equipment. Instead, start by making a workout that is only 30 to 45 minutes long. That's less than a 1 hour TV show.

Do this workout 3 to 5 days a week. Remember to work all your muscles (not just the ones you like) for optimum results. It helps to keep a record of your workouts on paper so you can see just how far you've come.

If you're stuck on what to do, don't worry. Many home gyms come with beginner workouts. But again, don't go all out and kill yourself the first few workouts ? start from where you are and build on it. Consistency is key for a killer body.

5) Write your workout days on the calendar:

Like any important appointment, make an appointment with your home gym. You need to make the effort to put yourself, your body and your health first ? especially at the beginning stages. Experts tell us it takes 3 to 6 weeks before actions become habit. Once you've built the habit of working out, it will get easier.

To help you stick to your exercise appointment, get loved ones to encourage you and make you accountable. Once you get past the 8-week mark, you'll feel (and look) so great you'll wonder why you didn't get a home gym sooner.

So those are 5 ways to get the most out of your home gym equipment. Enjoy and good luck!

Charles O'Neill is a certified personal trainer and contributing writer to Diet and Exercise Reviews.

For more free exercise tips and reviews, visit http://www.FreeToBeThin.com.

In The News:


Genesis donates outdoor fitness equipment
Quad City Times, IA - 23 hours ago
By Steve Trainor | Friday, September 5, 2008 4:21 PM CDT | () comments Sue Gerace of Davenport, Iowa, does push-ups using the outdoor fitness equipment at ...

Study: Only few Pinoys join fitness clubs
ABS CBN News, Philippines - Sep 5, 2008
Technogym was the official provider of fitness equipment in the recently-concluded Beijing Olympics. It will "open shop" through local distributor E-Sports ...

Success of the Olympics Sparks Sports Clothing Sales
Polo-Shirts News, UK - 23 hours ago
Consumers have been purchasing equipment such as bicycles and exercise equipment. They have also been purchasing fitness clothing including t-shirts, ...

Workouts Becomes A Gold's Gym
RedOrbit, TX - 14 hours ago
New equipment is due to start arriving in early October. He also plans to add a four-lane indoor lap pool, a women-only exercise room and a cardio-cinema ...
Workouts Fitness Center Leased To Gold's Gym RedOrbit
all 3 news articles

Germs at the gym: A few precautions will keep you safe
Austin 360 (subscription), TX - 4 hours ago
Castle Hill Fitness cleans equipment with an all-natural solution with tea tree oil and lavender, says manager Celeste Cyr. "Tea tree is a very natural way ...

Boston Globe

A treadmill designed for kids? A debate over fitness takes shape.
Boston Globe, United States - Sep 3, 2008
My Treadmill children's fitness equipment at Henry Bear's Park in Brookline Village. (Globe Staff Photo / Pat Greenhouse) By Beth Teitell Treadmills and ...

'Unbelievable deals' at Gold's Gym auction
Honolulu Advertiser, HI - 23 hours ago
By Dave Dondoneau Hundreds of pieces of exercise equipment, from commercial treadmills, elliptical machines and Stairmasters to squat racks and 45-pound ...

A technological 'stride' for exercise equipment
Jamaica Observer, Jamaica - Aug 27, 2008
Thursday Tech discovered the Pro Form Perspective ES treadmill - from Pro-Form Fitness who claims that it is the "most advanced treadmill on the market. ...

Planet Nutrition's Subsidiary IM & M Exercise Equipment Inc ...
CNNMoney.com - Aug 21, 2008
The retail value of the Extreme Fitness Brand equipment purchased is in excess of $250000.00. All of the company's Heavy Duty Strength Training Equipment is ...

Home Fitness Equipment For Every Exercise
Corsavoo.com, France - Aug 30, 2008
Although some of the equipment makes be a little bulky, home fitness equipment usually stores always nicely. You can find equipment that costs some money or ...
fitness equipment - Google News

Amazing Kettlebell Workout Produces Superior Results

Russian Kettlebells are amazing! These kettlebell workouts may be the... Read More

Elliptical Workout vs. Treadmill Workout

An elliptical workout differs from a treadmill workout in a... Read More

Top 10 Reasons for Buying a Home Treadmill

Why are treadmills becoming so popular? Why does everyone have... Read More

Octane Elliptical - Product Review

When buying a trainer it's important to first figure out... Read More

Gazelle Cross Trainer Pro

Fitness guru, Tony Little, designed the Gazelle Cross Trainer Pro.... Read More

Cardio Zone Elliptical Trainers

CardioZone makes a number of similar elliptical trainers, falling into... Read More

Why Smooth Treadmills are Among The Best

Smooth is one of the better-known brands of fitness equipment.... Read More

Schwinn Ellipticals Are a Great Ride

Schwinn Ellipticals live up to the name Schwinn. Everyone is... Read More

Heart Rate Monitors - an Overview

A heart rate monitor is a device that allows users... Read More

Buy Cheap Treadmill: Learn How To Make Optimum Use of a Treadmill

Treadmills serve your purpose 24/7 and 12 months a day... Read More

Tanita Body Fat Monitors

An ordinary scale can tell you your weight, but what... Read More

Balls That Could Be The Remedy For Your Workouts

The attic door swings open.Behind the ancient bumper pool table,... Read More

How to Pick the Right Pair of Running Shoes

Are you ready to start a new healthy habit of... Read More

Treadmill Reviews ? Get The Most Value For Your Dollar

As the number one fitness machines available, treadmills are very... Read More

Machines vs Free Weights

I am often asked, what is the best machine for... Read More

Want To Compare Treadmills? Have You Done Your Homework First?

Buying a treadmill can be daunting experience. Aren't there a... Read More

Wheel Chair Ramp

Some people order fomr various companies when in need of... Read More

6 Advantages of Free Weights Over Exercise Machines

Meet Sarah.About a year ago, Sarah saw an infomercial about... Read More

Elliptical Trainer Benefits

Considering an elliptical trainer? Wondering how an elliptical trainer can... Read More

Elliptical Exercise Machines Provide Low Impact, Total Body Workouts While Improving Cardiovascular

Elliptical Exercise Machines Provide Low Impact, Total Body Workouts While... Read More

Cracked Up Glossary Of Common Gym Terms

If you've ever had occasion to visit a gym, you've... Read More

Get A Gym Exercise Equipment Now

Now is a good season for the health conscious to... Read More

Choosing Fitness Equipment

Finding the perfect piece of fitness equipment can be a... Read More

6 Features Found in All the Best Treadmills

Are you just plain fed up? If you have spent... Read More

?So You Want To Build A Home Gym?

I walked into the commercial gym yesterday after a long... Read More