Home Gym Buying Guide

Types of exercises

When shopping for a home gym, consider what types of exercises you want to do. Different types of home gyms offer specific benefits. Are there problem areas where you want to focus? Are you training or toning for a particular activity or simply looking for general health improvements from aerobic exercise? Do you need to build muscle mass? Once you know what sort of exercise you want to perform, you can focus on finding a home gym that provides the exercise stations you need. The following table lists station names on home gym equipment and their areas of focus:

Station	Area of Focus
Lat Pulldown	Upper Back
Chest Press	Pectorals/Chest
Leg Press	Legs
Leg Extension	Thigh and Hamstring
Leg Curl	Thigh and Hamstring
Abdominal Crunch Station	Abs/Stomach
Hip Raise/Dip station	Hips, Thighs, Glutes
Knee Raise/Dip station	Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
Pec Dec	Pectorals/Chest
Arm Press	Pectorals, Biceps
Pulley Exercises	Upper Back, Arms

If you are looking for a general aerobic workout for increased stamina, conditioning or overall health, a home gym is unlikely to provide that workout. The exercise stations on home gyms are designed to target specific muscle groups, and while those exercises can also provide aerobic exercise, they are less effective than treadmills, exercise bikes or stair machines that offer a total-body workout.

Installation and assembly

After you’ve determined which exercise stations you need to meet your goals, consider how much space you have for your home gym. A general rule of thumb is that a multi-station home gym requires anywhere from 50 to 200 square feet of available space. Make sure your ceilings are tall enough to clear the home gym’s moving parts during all exercises. Give yourself available space to move freely around the equipment and to reach adjustments.

Once you know how much space you have for a home gym, compare installation options. While most home gyms are stand-alone pieces of equipment, some must be bolted to walls or ceilings. If you don’t know how to attach a home gym to the structural elements of your home—the studs and joists hiding inside the walls—hire a professional to do the job. An improper installation will damage your home and could result in serious injury.

Home gyms can be extremely complicated to assemble, and improper assembly also poses safety risks. Look for professional installation options with delivery. If you decide to assemble the home gym yourself, keep in mind home gyms are often made of solid metal or have heavy weights that require at least two people to properly lift and assemble.

Weight stacks vs. resistance bands

Home gyms use either weight stacks or resistance bands to work your muscles. Home gyms with weight stacks generally cost more than those with resistance bands. Weight stacks can be bulkier and heavier, but they also offer a more complete workout, so if you’re serious about toning and building muscle mass, choose a home gym that uses weight stacks. These typically start at around 200 pounds, with the option of adding additional weights over time.

Some home gyms include a weight ratio that lets them deliver more resistance than the weight stack alone. For example, a home gym with a 200-pound weight stack operating at a 2:1 ratio can deliver up to 400 pounds of resistance. This feature lets you get more of a workout from your home gym but with less bulky weight stacks.

If you are new to fitness and looking primarily to lose weight and improve your overall health, home gyms that operate with resistance bands are a better choice. They are lightweight, easy to assemble and easy to adjust. Consider the design of these home gyms, as some need more space for proper operation. It’s also helpful to check owner reviews to ensure that the bands will not stretch and lose resistance over time.

Upgrade options

Beware of low-priced home gyms. Some retailers offer discounted “base” units that will do very little when you get them home. This forces you to purchase upgrades for different exercise stations. What started as a $350 home gym could wind up costing you $1,000 or more. It’s essential to know upfront what equipment and options you’re getting when you purchase your home gym.

With that in mind, home gyms that can be upgraded can be good choices for committed, long-term users. For home gyms that use weight stacks, find out if you can add additional weights as you grow stronger. If you want to start on the core muscle groups and then add specific targeting exercises, look for a home gym that allows you to add exercise stations. Not all manufacturers are alike when it comes to upgrade options, so you need to have an idea of what you might want in the future before you buy.

Warranty

Due to the repetitive nature of using home gym, a powerful warranty is worth having. If you are considering two home gyms with similar prices and features, let the warranty be the deciding factor. Some high-end home gym manufacturers offer lifetime or 30-year warranties on the frame and 2 to 10 years on parts. Low-end home gyms may offer only 5 years on the frame and 90 days on the parts. With the range of equipment available, a lesser warranty isn’t good enough. Skip these models in favor of similarly-priced home gyms with better warranty terms.

Need to know more?

• Home Gym Reviews
  http://www.trainersecrets.com/home_gym_reviews.htm
• Home Gyms Super Guide
  http://www.exerciseequipmentexpert.com/home-gyms.html
• Training at Home Articles
  http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/bbinfo.php?page=TrainingatHome