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Experts from the American Council on Exercise
(ACE) advise anyone thinking about creating a
home gym to consider not only your particular
fitness needs, but also your available space,
your budget, and how much time you're able to
devote to at-home workouts.
"The biggest mistake folks make when putting
together a home gym is buying too much fitness
equipment or things that are too complicated to
use.
The second biggest mistake, is "buying all the
same type of equipment, like all
cardio
or all
strength training,
and not realizing how that limits what you can
accomplish."
Top 5 Items You Need for At-Home Workouts
At-Home Workout Item 1: Cardio Training
Equipment
What It Is:
Any type of equipment that helps you sustain
smooth and continuous movement and an elevated
heart rate for at least 20 minutes.
Benefits:
Heart health,
overall body conditioning; cardiovascular
conditioning, some muscle toning,
weight loss.
At-Home Workout Item 2: Strength Training Gear
What Is It:
Equipment designed to strengthen muscles.
Benefits:
Body shaping;
weight
loss; functional fitness, including the strength
to do everyday tasks with greater ease; for
women, reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
At-Home Workout Item 3: Balance Equipment
What Is It:
Equipment that challenges your balance while you
perform other activities.
Benefits:
Improves balance, strength in the "core" muscles
of the trunk, muscle stamina, and posture. Also
encourages better interaction between all muscle
groups.
At-Home Workout Item 4: Flexibility Training
Gear
What Is It:
Equipment designed to help increase muscle
flexibility, which in turn may help you to use
other pieces of equipment more easily and
safely.
Benefits:
Better muscle tone; better functional fitness;
reduced risk of injury.
At-Home Workout Item No. 5: Guidance
What Is It:
Whether it comes from a personal trainer or a
how-to DVD, instruction is an essential part of
any beginner's home gym.
Benefits:
Reduces the risk of injury; increases
effectiveness of workouts; ensures better
results.
6 More Tips for Creating the Perfect Home Gym
Here are few extra tips from Bottesch and ACE
that can help you get the biggest bang for your
fitness buck while creating your home gym.
(1) Quality matters.
While you may not be able to afford the "top of
the line" in gym equipment, but buy the best and
right equipment.
(2) Prioritize your purchases.
You're better off buying the best and right
piece of equipment for your complete family.
(3) Test it first.
Test out each piece of equipment before you
buy. Things to look for include not only
quality, but also ease of use, adjustability,
and ease of assembly.
(4) Inspect it.
Check it out before you buy and after it arrives
at your home. Factors to look for include
safety, stability, service/warranty, overall
design, and appropriate features. If weight or
height is consideration, be certain to check
whether there are any limitations.
(5) Consider others.
Are you the only one using this equipment? If
not, check to see how well the item can
accommodate others of different heights,
weights, and strength levels.
(6) Get a checkup.
Before you plunk down your hard earned dollars
for any equipment, see your doctor and get his
or her OK on your new
fitness program.
Mention the type of equipment you want to
purchase and discuss any medical precautions.
If you have a chronic condition, such as
heart disease
or an orthopedic concern, be certain to get your
doctor's suggestions on the best and safest
workouts for you.
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