Build your own home gym

Is lack of time or convenience one of the reasons you don’t exercise?  Or do you have a treadmill, or other piece of cardio equipment, in your home seeing more use a clothes hanger than for exercise?  Or do you simply want to have a quality home gym and have no idea what to invest your money in?  Consider the equipment outlined here to make the most out of a home based fitness program.

TRX Bands

Invented by a former Navy Seal while on deployment, TRX Bands add an incredible dimension to body-weight training.  The innovative design allows for incredible range of motion and support while constantly improving core strength, flexibility, and balance.  The TRX Company has created instructional online and DVD series to teach the most effective ways to train with the bands.  Prices start around $200, which may seem pricey but it is a far better way to spend the money than a treadmill in the corner collecting dust.  Check out www.TRXtraining.com for more info.

Bowflex Selecttech Dumbbells

I own a pair of these that adjust from five to fifty-two and a half pounds.  This is, by far, the best dumbbell innovation in the last several years.  Each set comes with an instructional DVD and is capable of being used to perform any exercise that could be done in a gym. The set 5-52.5lbs set runs $349.00.  The set of 10-90lbs is $599.00.  www.bowflexselecttech.com

Kettle Bells

Kettle Bells are similar to dumbbells but with an offset weight distribution, whereas with dumbbells the weight distribution is balanced.  The offset balance of the weight distribution makes the kettle bells a more challenging and versatile fitness tool.  I recommend having three sizes: 20lbs, 35lbs, and 50lbs.  Prices vary by size so shop around and compare, try www.roguefitness.com or www.power-systems.com.

Jump Rope

The Jump Rope is the most efficient and under-appreciated piece of cardio equipment available.  A jump rope workout can burn four to five times the calories as walking on a treadmill; but, without occupying a tremendous amount space in your home.  Nothing special required with this, pick up the cheap one at Wal-Mart and get hopping.  It is the best piece of fitness equipment that can be bought for less than $10.

Olympic Bar with weight plates

This is the most expensive equipment that should be in a person’s home gym.  The bar alone will set you back around $200.  I recommend getting about 250lbs worth of weight plates if you are going to invest in this equipment.  Buy two 45lb plates, four 25lb plates, four 10lb plates, and four 5lb plates.  The entire outfit will be around $600-$700 but it is essential for anyone who wants to have a home-based powerlifting program.  Prices based upon www.power-systems.com