Home Gyms
For a total body workout with weights, a home gym 
is a great alternative to buying a pricey, contractual, gym membership as long as you have the space for one and you have the motivation to keep using it and make it worthwhile. In the long run, the cost of a home gym will be less expensive than years of going to the gym. Plus, a home gym is convenient, allowing you to work out whenever you want and in any weather. Furthermore, if you are at all self-conscious about showing off in front of a bunch of strangers, a home gym allows you to work up a sweat without the embarrassment factor.
Why a Home Gym?
In comparison to free weights, and other forms of weight training, home gyms offer a way to learn proper form without sustaining any injury, plus home gyms eliminate the need for a spotter when doing heavy lifting. It also has the added benefit of making you work on both contraction of the muscles and the release, which needs to be slow and controlled.
Choosing the Right Gym
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When choosing a home gym there are some things you need to consider before making a purchase.- Space -- Do I have the room for a home gym?
- Make sure that whichever model you choose will fit in the space you have available.
- That means that it must be the right size both when folded up as well as when it is extended to its working maximum. Factor in all the clearance you will need to do the exercises as well as the bulk of the machine itself.
- Some models are small, only taking up a 3' x 3' space or less when folded. While folding models are space savers, they don't reduce to nothing. That means they will need a permanent home somewhere (unless you get models that are so small that they can roll under the bed).
- Time and Money -- How often do you exercise?
- Consider how often you plan to work out. An honest assessment in necessary to determine what amount of money you need to spend to meet your goals and fitness ability.
- If you plan to train consistently -- at least three times a week -- then you should invest in a quality product, even if that means dishing out a little more money. High quality budget models are available to suit your needs and wallet.
- If you tend to slack here and there or have time and/or location restraints (say you travel often on business), you may want to opt for something very budget friendly.
- Versatility -- Who is going to use the home gym?
- If multiple users of different sizes and fitness levels plan to use the gym, look for something with flexibility.
- Find a gym without too many mechanisms closely set together, adjustable range of motion settings (ergonomics), and a wide range of resistance settings or adjustments.
- The Hoist Multi-Gym was rated well for a multi-user friendly gym as was the BodyCraft Family Xpress.
- Exercise Style -- How do you want to use the home gym?
- Circuit Training
- If you want to use the gym as an add-on to your aerobic routine or something that can double as aerobic equipment (with a rowing feature, for example), you want something that quickly and easily switches between exercises.
- Look for machines that have fast weight and position adjustment features.
- Smoothness of the seat movement on the rail is a key factor for circuit training models. Unfortunately, the only way to get a feel for this is to actually try to machine yourself.
- Bowflex makes models focused on aerobic training that are good for doing circuits.
- Weight Training
- If you are primarily interested in building muscles, focus more on the amount of weight and/or resistance offered by a particular model.
- Serious body builders who want a versatile home gym should make sure the gym can let them do squats, leg presses, and add on extra weight (which the user provides).
- Remember that most maximums are around 210 pounds for the average home gym. Always check these limits to make sure that a model will be adequate for your training purposes.
- Look for heavy duty, solidly constructed steel gyms in order to support additional weight.
- Check out the Powertec Workbench Leverage Gym WB-LS.
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Other Things to Think About
- Warranty
- With large, expensive home exercise equipment it is imperative that you purchase a good warranty to cover parts and labor. You might even consider the extended warranty.
- Always compare warranties on brands that you are considering to buy since they are synonymous with construction quality. The longer the warranty, the better. Frames with lifelong warranties are a sure bet. Cables and other parts should be warrantied for about three years or more.
- Personal Comfort
- Comfort is key. Part of knowing which model is most comfortable for you is actually going and using it.
- Models with padded seats or back rests and non-slip handles should be at the top of the list.
- Construction
- Steel and metal parts are always more reliable and durable than plastic.
- Stability is key. Nothing should wobble or shake when using the machine. This is also a concern when you store the machine. It should fold up tightly so that it doesn't have a chance of toppling over.
- Things to Avoid
- Avoid celebrity endorsed machines.
- Avoid fad inspired equipment.
- Avoid models that appear to require complicated assembly.
- When in doubt, read the fine print about what is included in the price.
- Sometimes delivery doesn't include set up, which might be a priority for some.
- Check that the delivery isn't just dropping the gym in your driveway. Ensure that they will bring it all the way into the house and to where it needs to be set up, even if you are going to assemble it yourself.
