When looking to get in shape, some people would rather exercise in their homes or garages over a commercial gym. If you’re one of those people, you’ll eventually need to buy some exercise equipment.
Not all exercise equipment is right for everyone, so we’re going to be looking into a wide range of products, what they do, and who they’re for to help you determine which pieces are right for you.
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Dumbbells
Average Price Range: $10-$15 (Low End) or $100+ (High End)
Every home gym needs some dumbbells. This is one of a few pieces of equipment that you’re going to want to have on hand no matter what your personal fitness goals happen to be.
You will probably want a variety of dumbbells or a set of adjustable hand weights so that you always have the right weight for the workout.
In general, you want heavier weights and fewer reps if you want to add bulk, and lighter weights with more rep if you want to trim the fat or get toned. Longer, low-stress exercise is always best if you want to burn fat compared to really pushing yourself to build muscle.
When shopping for dumbbells, find a pair that feels good to you and use those for general high-rep workouts such as aerobics, toning exercises and so on, and then find a pair that you can just barely lift for adding bulk.
For now, maybe you’ll only manage ten reps of those, but give it a few weeks and you’ll be doing twenty or thirty in a row without even realizing it.
Resistance Bands
Average Price Range: $5-$15
If you want a lightweight exercise or if you want to add resistance to your routine, a resistance band is a versatile and useful part of a home gym. These bands provide some resistance to crunches, arm lifts, leg lifts and even push-ups.
Basically, you just take one end of the band and attach it to one part of your body or the room, then take the other and attach it to the part of your body you’re going to be pushing or pulling with.
By adding resistance to any workout, a resistance band can be included without having to change your routine at all. Strap it to your feet and hands and pull with your shoulders or wrap it around something that’s bolted down and hold it while doing sit ups.
The resistance you get from the band can make any workout more effective. There are many resistance band workouts that can really help you get in shape!
Weight Bench
Average Price Range: $100-$500 (Low End) or $1,000+ (High End)
If you want to add bulk, you’re going to need a weight bench. A simple, padded wood and metal weight bench will suffice, although an adjustable bench with a lot of extra bells and whistles can be fun to use, as well.
The exercises you can do with a weight bench would take forever to list, but we can list a few of the basics, at least.
These alone will get you ripped in no time if you follow them faithfully, and they’re just the tip of the iceberg. If you’re trying to add bulk, a weight bench is pretty much a starting point for any good home gym if you really want to get ripped.
Fitness Balls
Average Price Range: $6-$60
A fitness ball, if you’ve never used one before, looks like something you’d see in a yoga class. Like the resistance band, the fitness ball turns a light workout into a real fitness challenge.
Look for a ball that’s the right size. You want to be able to sit down on it and have your hips at a level just slightly above your knees.
Too small and it will be impossible to keep your balance. Too big and you won’t get the best workout from it.
To get the most from your ball, try laying on it while doing crunches and sit-ups to make it a full-body exercise, or incorporate it into your weight lifting routine for an added challenge.
You can also sit on it while watching television or working at your desk so that you can burn fat and tighten your abs and legs without even having to take time out of your day.
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Cardio Machines
Average Price Range: $200-$1,500 (Treadmill/Stationary Bikes) $500-$1,500 (Incline/Rowing Machines)
The great thing about running, climbing, rowing, and biking machines is that you can just zone out on them. Get in front of the TV and see if any channel is running a marathon of one of your favorite shows. Some people can go for hours, but even just running for fifteen to thirty minutes at a time is a good start.
You’ll be surprised how easy it is to just keep going at a low resistance on these machines, and having one in your home is a lot of fun. If you live somewhere that has a snowy winter, cardio machines can help you keep your heart healthy without needing to venture outdoors.
Home Gym Machines
Average Price Range: $500-$2,000
Those home gym machines you see advertised on late-night television may seem questionable, but many of these home gym machines really do the trick.
You’ll find that these machines are versatile, challenging, and most of all, a lot of fun.
Like the cardio machines and fitness ball, these are devices that you can plant in front of the television and just zone out, getting in shape by doing passive exercises for hours on end.
Selecting the Equipment You Need
Before making any purchasing decisions, you really need to figure out what your fitness goals are. Any of these devices listed above can help you with just about any fitness goal, but each one plays to its own strengths and weaknesses.
An incline machine is great for burning fat and doing aerobics, but you’ll need some weights to add real bulk, for instance.
We can’t all afford a personal trainer to tell us what we need, but if you have any friends who are seriously into fitness, you may want to ask them for a little advice. They should be happy to help you figure out exactly what you need based on your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many days a week should I exercise?
Three to five workouts a week is recommended for best results.
How do I create my own workout plan?
You can either sign up for an Exercise.com PRO membership or enlist the help of a personal trainer!
What should I do on my rest days?
Sleep, hydrate, eat well, foam roll, and engage in enjoyable movement.
For workouts that can be done at home or at the gym, sign up for an Exercise.com PRO plan today.