Best Performance From Home Gym

Are you pressed for time and money but need to exercise? Do set up a basic home gym that combines aerobic and strength training but make the investment worth while. Common saying is Shop carefully so you get peak performance from your wallet, too. Always go to a specialty store, No matter what you buy, go to an exercise equipment specialty store. These specialty stores carry the best products, have the most knowledgeable staff and will provide service, including delivery, assembly and repairs and buy the best you can afford so you enjoy using it and it doesn't break down. Always think twice about buying machines that require you to change cables or reconfigure them to do different exercises. Typical minimal gym, a home gym needs at least two components, an aerobic machine, such as a bike, cross country skier or treadmill, and a set of free weights. Do consider a starter set of free weights that include about 200 pounds of plates ranging from one to 25 pounds, two bars for dumbbells and one bar for a barbell, check the actual weight. The cheap plates can be off by half a pound.

Try to invest in a bench that is at least 36 inches wide for stability and support, look for 2-inch steel tubing and a good quality covering. Professionals discourages new exercisers from purchasing non-motorized treadmills, while they start at about $300, most are set on a sharp incline that beginners find very demanding. The cheaper ones also have treads that rest on rollers that heat up and give walkers a hot foot. Al the motorized treadmills should have a motor with at least 1.5 horsepower that is labeled for continuous duty, avoid machines held together with too many bolts. All the treads should be at least 50 inches long and 18 inches wide, minimum, and you should be able to elevate and lower it to simulate hills and flats. Custom Stationary bikes should be sturdy and comfortable. Always avoid the kind with caliper brakes, which slow the wheel by pressing on the rim. Some other bike option is air resistance from a built-in fan. Numerous models also have movable handlebars to keep the upper body moving, too. But they are more expensive but more comfortable, final choice is magnetic resistance---very smooth and quiet, but expensive. Try to decide whether you want a stepper, lower body only or a climber, upper and lower body workout, and whether you want pedals that move in tandem as one goes up the other goes down automatically or move independently. All test machines for at least 15 minutes for stability, smoothness and comfort. As your feet should not tingle or feel odd and you should not have to bend over.

Bekie Cohner is a health and wellness professional with 16 years experience helping people make the right decisions for everything from Exercise Equipment to nutritional supplements.