Home Gyms

If you've made a New Years resolution to get fit one too many times without success, then perhaps it's time to consider a home gym.

Home: where the healthy heart is

There are many reasons why a home gym might be right for you. Memberships to commercial gyms can be expensive, not to mention the time it takes to get to and from their location each time you go for a workout. Having the gym right there at home can redirect hours of personal time back into your schedule each week.

Of course, there are pros and cons to having your own gym at home. Firstly, you have to be self-motivated to actually get up and use it; otherwise the initial set up fees will be wasted. And speaking of set up fees, the initial investment in a home gym can be a little daunting for some, but remember that good quality equipment will end up saving you loads in the long run. This is especially true if you share the equipment with a partner or flatmates.

It goes without saying, of course, that to have a home gym you have to have the space for it. Keep in mind that some weights equipment in particular can be heavy on flooring, so you will have to consider whether or not your space can take the load.

If you do have the space and are keen to get going, then the greatest advantage to a home gym is that you can be the boss of it. You can work out when you feel like it, listen to your own music, or even wear your most beaten up clothes if you like. And you will never have to wait in line for equipment again.

What will you need?

What equipment you choose will depend largely on what you like to do when you workout. There's no point investing in a treadmill if you hate running or the latest in weight lifting gear if that's not your thing. You might want to consider some lightweights, an elliptical trainer and leave enough floor space for a yoga mat.

Perhaps you want to set up your own home gym to do more serious weight training. If this is the case, then consider flooring very carefully. A good hard surface, like the concrete flooring of a garage, can be great, but you will probably need to add some rubber matting as well to reduce noise and potential damage (to both floor and equipment).

When choosing equipment, avoid the infomercial and head straight to a shop that specialises in fitness equipment. They often not only stock reliable products, but also have the staff with the know-how to back them up.

For those on a budget, you need not relegate the idea of a home gym to your wish list only, but instead can deck a room out with minimal equipment that will get you good results. Choose to put your money into a good cardio machine like an elliptical trainer (which is lower impact and works both legs and arms) or a treadmill. Be careful when purchasing cheap equipment that may break easily, be of poor quality or may not be enjoyable to use.

Treadmills are a good example of this. Cheaper versions tend to be unstable and harder to run on. Choosing a model that is wide and long enough for you, that also has good shock support for feet, ankles and knees, is essential to ensuring you train safely.

Home gyms can be one of the most rewarding and convenient ways to achieve your fitness goals, and with the right planning, you can have an economical gym right there at home in no time.

Greg Mate is passionate about health and fitness and runs mrsupplement.com.au MrSupplement which is one of Australia's largest suppliers of protein and mrsupplement.com.au/australia/creatine.htm creatine.