For decades I travelled to a gym/club and had my work-outs. Then about 2 and a half years ago I moved to an acreage and travelling to a gym/club would have become problematic (at the least). So, I created a home gym.
The decision was out of necessity – I wanted to continue my workouts and doing them at home made more sense than at a club. For some people, it could be they prefer to work-out at home for a multitude of reasons. Some people even do both given their day-to-day schedule.
The key is – whether at home or at a club – do something!
Here is what I set-up: Tuff Stuff AXT 3.0, Bowflex SelectTech 1090 weights, Bowflex 5.1 bench, and a Nautilus R616 Recumbent bike.
With this set-up I can do all of the gym exercises I was accustomed to on equipment that mirrors the movements and desired results.
Home equipment is less expensive than commercial gym equipment since it is built withstand 1 or 2 persons' use, for an hour or so a day, 5-7 days a week. Commercial equipment is built to be used be several persons, over 12-hours per day, 7-days per week – and by persons who don't own the stuff so they may not treat it as nicely.
The SelectTech dumbbells and 5.1 bench can replicate most movements. The bench can drop down to a decline postion, be flat, or adjust to be an incline or straight-up (shoulder, military press). The SelectTech's can adjust to be any weight you want from 10 up to 90 pounds – so you have a complete rack of dumbbells in one handy unit. You could also use the smaller SelectTech 552s or other bench.
The TuffStuff AXT 3.0 gym is amazing. It is a solid piece of equipment that smoothly replicates all gym-quality exercises. You could also use a Bowflex Extreme, Progression PFX, or other such gym.
I love the AXT 3.0 since you can either do cable or level motions; it adjusts to allow any angle of attack on the weights; there is a lower cable station for rowing, squats, and arm curls; it has a pull down bar; and there is even a cushion system to lock you in place for leg curls! The movements are smooth and the machine is solid – it even looks good.
The Nautilus R616 recumbent bike is great for my cardio requirements. A treadmill, TreadClimber, elliptical, or other item could work as well. The key is, chose something you want to use, not just own or is "the best." Is it "the best" for you?
Now, notice from the images that:
- 1.The room is well lit. Who wants to work-out by themselves in a dark room? I don't, but some do
- 2.There is a great stereo in there with a lot of CDs to provide some distraction – it helps the time go by and keeps me motivated. I don't have a TV in it, but it is highly recommended. See my blog posting http://www.flamanfitness.com/blog/workout-tv. By the way the speakers are Klipsch and Mission (pair of each), the power and CD Yamaha pro, the radio unit Pioneer. I can listen to my music at concert sound levels with no distortion. For others a quiet waterfall might be right.
- 3.There are some items of personal interest on the wall – I put up items representing some successes from my past to provide inspiration and confidence
- 4.There are two windows so I can look outside and see things happening there
What you can't see in the pictures is that this gym is built inside our garage. I built a little room and heated it – and yes, we have a large garage.
So what are my key to dos for a home gym?
- 1.Get the equipment to do what you want to do
- 2.Put it into a room that encourages a work-out
- 3.Use it
If you have any questions, please feel free to email them to me at eric.anderson@flaman.com
Eric