Home Gym Equipment HELP!!!!

Hi guys!

We are dedicating a room inside the house to use as our "gym" and I frankly don't know where to start with regard to the best equipment for our buck!

I've looked at so many units on line but haven't a clue what I need!

I'm hoping my FS buds will give me the direction I need!!!!

Thanks in advance for reading this post and responding!

Free weights and enough space to move around is by far the best investment. You do not need gym equipment to build muscles and burn fat. Go to YouTube or google for exercises that use your body weight. They are by far the most effective. If you really have to buy some equipment and have enough space and live in a cold or hot climate, i would invest in a treadmill or a bike, though mine is mostly collecting dust, as I prefer to walk outside.

I started off with a treadmill and then I added the elliptical and finished by getting a spin bike. I still have all three but don't use the bike as much as the 2 first but will not get rid of it!!! Try to keep space for Zumba or Taebo!!! They are fun exercises to do too and don't cost as much!!! Have fun!!!

Ingria and Frosty,

Thank you! I am thinking free weights and a treadmill. I've been looking at Zumba on Youtube too!

Thanks you guys for your response!

A great place to get some free weights and a treadmill are at www.homefitnessequipment.org. I actually work for the company and we are constantly researching the industry to give people the lowest prices and we carry the best brands. Also, if you are unsure still about what equipment you want our customer service rep is always available and frequently helps customers build custom home gyms! I've never tried Zumba before because I've been too worried I am going to embarrass myself, so maybe I will look it up on youtube, too and practice before I actually take the class!

buy a kettlebell,use it intensively

I went with an elliptical (you can find some good deals on Craigslist or Play it Again Sports from people getting rid of their clothes hanger ) and power blocks dumbbells

If you want a little variety with the resistance training, exercise bands are cheap. http://www.amazon.com/Black-Mountain-Products-Resistance-Exercise/dp/7245456313/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353189213&sr=8-1&keywords=exercise+bands

I already had a barbell and some weights and dumbbells. When he moved in, my boyfriend brought some more dumbbells. Since then I have bought a weight bench, bench press rack, and enough weights to complete the set. There is a wall-mounted pull-up bar on order, which should be here anytime. I may get a weight rack to hold the weights and dumbbells, and maybe more dumbbells if we get stronger, but that is probably it for strength equipment.

I used to have a treadmill, but it died. I may get another one in the future, depending on how money is. It would probably have to go into the garage now that the living room has the bench and rack in it.

Free weights are the way to get the most strength training/muscle development in the least amount of time.

While investing in equipment for your home gym and researching exercises on youtube/internet are great ideas, understanding what type of workouts that are truly going to benefit you is probably the most essential action you can take.

Fitness comes in all shapes and sizes. While there are countless exercises out there that look really cool and make you sweat your butt off, not all exercises are made for everyone.

My recommendation is to get a professional assessment on your current fitness level. Identify your goals and then build a plan to get there.

If you want, here is a great resource: www.functionalmovement.com
There you can find an expert that can guide you on exercises to do and ones that you should avoid based on your fitness level.
Good luck.

I would suggest you start with free weights (5lb and 8/10 lbs would be good)

You can also add cardio equipment such as a spinn bike, a basic skipping rope and possibly an air climber

One thing to look into is adjustable dumbbells. They work great and take up less space than buying pairs upon pairs to keep up with your strength gains.