1. Identify your fitness needs:

• The equipment should suit your interest and fitness level. Your chosen activities should be enjoyable and yet challenging enough that your able to progress to higher levels. For example, you should be able to increase the resistance, incline or duration of a given piece of equipment.
• Every home gym should include basic components for both aerobic training and strength training along with a mat for stretching and abdominal work. Aerobic training - jogging, stepping, or cycling, for example - burns fat, raises your HDK (good cholesterol) and strengthens the heart and lungs. Strength training uses free weights, elastic bands, or machines that resist your movement. It builds muscle, strengthens bones, boosts your metabolism, and can lower your LDL (bad cholesterol). Stretching keeps muscles and joints flexible and helps prevent injury and soreness.
• If the goal is an aerobic workout, then the equipment's resistance should be low enough to maintain at least 20 minutes of smooth continuous motion. If the goal is muscle strengthening, then considerably more resistance is required. For this reason, it's difficult to obtain muscle strengthening benefits and aerobic benefits from the same piece of equipment.
  

2. Determine your budget:

• The number one rule here is that you get what you pay for. Keep in mind that high quality equipment that works reliably after several years of heavy use can't be manufactured cheaply.
• There are options available for every budget. For example, if a pricey $1,500 electric stair climber is out of your reach, you may be better off buying a high quality step bench and a couple of great step aerobics tapes for under $150. This might be a wiser choice than spending $200 on a low-end manual stair climber that's almost guaranteed to break after a few months.
• In some cases, the price range on a particular piece of equipment can vary wildly. It's important to do your homework and find out what the going rate should be.
• If a piece of equipment is priced significantly lower than it's competitors, it could be for a variety of reasons including: manufactured overseas rather than domestically, cheaper components, less rigorous design and assembly, lower profit margin taken by the manufacturer, less overhead, or better engineering allowing for less costly assembly.
• By the same token, if a piece of equipment is priced significantly higher than comparable models, you need to ask why. Does it work demonstrably better than lower priced models? Does it offer better features? Is it likely to last longer? Is it likely to require less service? Is it easier and less costly to service?
• Keep in mind that it is possible to purchase used exercise equipment. If you go this route, you may be able to buy more equipment, or higher quality commercial equipment, and still stay within your budget. Try to buy from a reputable dealer and get a warranty in writing.
  

3. Determine how much space is available:

• Take into consideration the room usage, safety, traffic flow, aesthetics, desired equipment, and future expansion possibilities.
• Plan for at least as much open space as equipment space.
• Use the following guidelines to determine how much room you will need:
  Treadmills - 30 square feet
  Bikes - 10 square feet
  Single Station Gym - 35 square feet
  Stair Climbers - 10-20 square feet
  Multi Station Gym - 50-200 square feet
  Rowing Machines - 20 square feet
  Free Weights - 20-50 Square feet
  Ski Machines - 25 square feet

4. Examine the product: features, design, manufacture, safety, and serviceability:

• Your body should move in a manner that is correct and safe.
• The equipment should be adjustable, comfortable, easy to learn, and able to fit user of various sizes.
• Parts should be easily removed and replaced. The device should be space efficient, and the components should be the highest quality in the price range.
• Think about the advertising claims. They should be backed up by solid research. Look for reviews by objective consumer publications.
• Moving parts should mesh well. Welds should be clean and smooth and the frame should be thick and sturdy.
• Check out the safety features. There should not be any design flaws or weaknesses that increase the risk of injury. (For example a machine with poor stability.)
• Look for features that enhance safety. For example, range of motion limiters on strength machines; weight stack guards that protect moving parts; safety switches on treadmills.

5. Assess "bang for the buck" using a checklist as a side-by-side comparison tool. Things to consider in your evaluation:

• Price
• Safety
• Effectiveness
• Comfort and enjoyability
• Space efficiency
• Adjustability
• Durable Design
• Quiet operation
• Reputable manufacturer
• Written warranty
• Service plans and parts availability

Once you have made a decision on starting your own home gym, it may be wise to purchase some exercise videos or visit some web sites that provide you with tips on correct stretching and use of equipment…there may be some change left over to employ your own personal trainer at home once a week…stay tuned every month for more articles and tips to help you get fit!
Get Fit @ fitgen.com.au.