Building A Home Gym - Learn How To Improve Your Basic Home Gym

You have already built a small home gym (read my first article) and you are ready to move to the next level. You're excited, knowing it will help improve your fitness and overall health, and also inject some variety into your workouts but you aren't sure where to start. Consider these:

Dumbbells. A few different sizes based on your strength or one set of adjustable dumbbells for many upper body exercises and also some lower body exercises such as lunges. Single dumbbells are generally about $1 per pound so a 15 lb. dumbbell costs about $15. When you are planning your budget, remember you should buy 2 of each size.

Stationary bike, treadmill, or elliptical machine. Don't go overboard. You might want to start with just one of these. Which are you likely to use the most? Or if you have access to some but really want to use another, which is it?

Next ask yourself where you are going to place it. Do you need to purchase a mat to lay under it so you don't permanently damage the floor? Do you need to store it? If so, make sure the models you like either fit in the space or can be folded to do so. If it's the latter, is it easy to fold up or will it be a struggle each time?

Try the machines before you buy. Check the position of the bike's seat with the pedals. Do you prefer standard or recumbent? Check the length and width of the belt on the treadmill. Does the display show all of the information you are interested in? Does the stride on the elliptical machine feel comfortable to you?

Bench. Choose an adjustable one that can be used for presses, step ups, and incline and decline work.

Workout DVDs. If you have a TV and DVD player, buy a couple of DVDs. What type of workouts do you like? Low or high intensity? Boot camp style or dance-like? Thirty minutes or sixty? An instructor who gives a lot of direction or one that is more "do as I do"?

Whatever products you choose to buy, do your research. Rely on Consumer Reports, online reviews, and talk to family or friends who own similar machines. Ask what they like and what they don't. Then go to stores and test drive them for yourself. Again, think $1000 laundry hanger!!! For all of your purchases, bargain hunt. Look on the local Craig's List, going out of business sales, discount stores, and Big Lots.

For other "equipment" that you can use, look around your home. A second chair without arms will help you perform more challenging tricep dips and incline push ups. You can also use an ottoman for step ups, with or without dumbbells.

Is there wall space for a mirror? No, not to primp, but to check your form. Following proper form is essential to improve your health while not injuring yourself. And this is what it's all about, isn't it?

By Sharon Chamberlin