NOTHING GIVES clarity to the adage "The road to hell is paved with good intentions" like a gym membership. With a plethora of equipment, classes and other fun options available, what's not to love about health clubs?
Trips to the gym become part of the routine, you are looking good, feeling good and confidence is high. Then it happens: Work, family, rotten weather, the flu, vacation, perhaps an injury, and it all falls apart. Inertia sets in, and the next thing you know, the gym membership becomes just another deduction in the checkbook.
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The advantages of a home gym include the privacy, the convenience and the fact that you own your gym rather than rent monthly. The disadvantages are that you must now be self-propelled to do it yourself, and if you get bored with the equipment and the exercises you are performing, you have to either hire a trainer to come to your house and show you new stuff and/or buy more things. Also you are isolated from the social interaction -- and subsequent ideas -- that come from working out around others. (And remember: Avoiding a workout -- when your gym is under your own roof -- will create enormous guilt!)
The pieces of your home gym will need to cover the essentials: cardiovascular, strength and flexibility.
Less than $150
-Stability ball: About $35.
-A set of five resistance bands in assorted strengths: About $50.
-A basic set of vinyl-coated dumbbells comprising at least three different weight choices, most commonly in 5-, 8- and 10-pound pairs: About $60.
$350 to $1,000
The disadvantage with pairs of dumbbells is in trying to keep them together in a pile somewhere ("What happened to the other 5- pound weight?"), which can be a drag if you have low clutter tolerance. Alternatives are ingenious systems developed by Intellbell, Inc. called "Powerblock" and by Bowflex called "SelectTech." These ingenious pieces of equipment take up about 15 square inches of space and provide weight choices from 21/2 to 200 pounds, depending on the options chosen. Think cute little Russian nesting dolls on steroids and you will get the idea. The cost may be high, but there is
no clutter!
For another $50 to $80 you can add Reebok Aerobic Step equipment, which will allow for more variety with leg workouts and aerobic exercise. A weightlifting bench is another option. Since new benches can run $300 or more, shopping for a used one can save money.
The advantages of this small home system are that it takes up very little room, yet provides options for exercising the whole body. The disadvantage is that, for a properly balanced exercise routine, the cardiovascular portion will involve a bit more personal effort and commitment.
$1,000 to $2,000
The pieces mentioned above should be part of every home gym, regardless of other pieces you decide on. The next step up, assuming there is space, should be some sort of cardiovascular equipment.
Treadmills are hugely popular, but will not fit into a budget of $1,000 if you want one that will last. John Coffey, owner of Colorado Fitness Equipment, points out that lots of less expensive treadmills are available at many of the "big box" stores and via infomercials. "But you are better off buying a good stationery bike, which you can get for $600, rather than a cheaply made treadmill for that same price."
Resources:
-Ball Dynamics: (800)752-2255, http://www.balldynamics.com.
-SPRI: (800)222-7774, http://www.SPRIproducts.com
-Power Systems: (800)321-6975, http://www.power-systems.com
-Perform Better: (888)556-7464, http://www.performbetter.com
-GoFit.Net: (888)530-4441, http://www.GoFit.net
-"Powerblock" from Intellbell, Inc.: (800)446-5215, http:// www.powerblock.com
-"SelectTech" from Bowflex: (800) 850-3280, http:// www.bowflexselecttech.com
Linda Buch is a certified personal trainer. She will answer fitness questions in Body Language but not individually. Send questions to Body Language, Bay Area Living, 4770 Willow Road, Pleasanton, CA 94588 or e-mail her at Linda@LJBalance.com.
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