Article by Charles O’Neill, PTS
A home gym can help you build an incredible looking body, skyrocket your metabolism and cut years off your age.
If you choose wisely, you’ll have all the tools you need to accomplish these goals (and more). But not all knows where to start or how to get the most from a home gym.
When clients question me about buying home gym equipment, here are 5 things I tell them to get the most from their buy: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 low-priced home gyms you buy from a local department store have very narrow bases, so they tend to rock. Stay away from home gyms that do not have a excellent 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) Place 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 place 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 & small workout routine:
Don’t go making or using ‘Mr. Or Ms. Olympia’ home gym workouts. That’s the first huge 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 vital appointment, make an appointment with your home gym. You need to make the effort to place yourself, your body and your health first – especially at the commencement 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 simpler.
To help you stick to your exercise appointment, get loved ones to encourage you and make you blamed. Once you get past the 8-week mark, you’ll feel (and look) so fantastic 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. Just remember to look for a well-made machine with a solid brand name and excellent reviews. Take the time to find the right gym for your needs and it will pay off in huge dividends over the long run.
About the Author
Charles O’Neill is a certified personal trainer and contributing writer to Home Gym Reviews, a consumer oriented website offering brand reviews, ‘Best Buys’, buying tips and more.
For more home gym reviews visit http://www.home-gyms-reviews.com.
