Best Gyms

Best home gyms

It isn’t always easy to find the best home gyms without a little trepidation. But have no fear as shopping through what are touted as the best home gym has been simplified.

No kidding, stop and think about what you want to accomplish, weight loss, toning, shaping and body building may be part of your goals. But how hard can it to lift weight or bend over. Maybe we’ve gotten a little carried away with what once was and frankly still is a very simple activity.

The real question may very well be, how much portability do I want, how much space do I have, and what is my budget. You can buy very expensive equipment but for most of us that’s probably not necessary.

The fun part is to sit back, kick off the shoes, grab your favorite drink and mans best animal friend and have some fun. Heck, you’ll find plenty of stuff on the internet to choose from and really won’t get confused doing it. No one to sell you on the merits of the million dollar machine that you really don’t need. Don’t get me wrong, I agree there may be times for the biggie but seldom is the case for most of us.

Most folks can land up with a very expensive clothes hanger if you get my meaning. Go online to the search box and type in best home gyms and see what you find. Have fun.

Resistance training or weight lifting has been a popular workout to burn fat and build muscle. The reason is just because it really works. A high intensity and short duration resistance training will burn some calories during the workout and you will burn a lot more during the following hours. A recent study from the prestigious Journal of Applied Physiology showed strength training also doubled post-exercise fat burning.

There are many ways to do resistance training. However, before purchasing any equipment to start resistance training, there are some factors you should keep in mind. If you want to use a barbell with weights, you should find a partner and do the workout with him. Just imagine what will happen when you are lying down on a weight bench pushing hard to get that last repetition and you hit a sticking point, you could be in serious trouble, which can cause a strain or pulled muscle. However, if you insist to use barbells but you don’t have a partner, consider going to gym. There are lots of people there can come to rescue if any troubles occur.

A better alternative for you just might be a set of dumbbells. It is said that dumbbells are the most important piece of equipment for your home gym. It is possible to get a complete body workout with dumbbells alone. They can mimic the actual mechanics of movement in real life applications making dumbbells the superior choice when compared to the machine type of exercise equipment. Besides, they are much safer than using barbells. If you do lose balance, it is much easier to toss aside the dumbbells than it is to toss aside the barbell.

There are numerous exercises you can do using dumbbells and you can do them at home, gym or office; with or without a training partner. Example of exercises that you can do by using dumbbells are front squat, bench press, dumbbell rows, overhead press, shrugs, and others which can work all the muscle groups effectively. You’ll just need a solid surface, enough space, and bench for some exercises.

Dumbbells are not very expensive and may just be one of the best pieces of exercise equipment you own. However, in order to get nice toned body, you will need some discipline as well as maintain a healthy and balance diet.

There is a tremendous amount of popular home gyms out there to suit a variety of needs for those who enjoy exercising in the convenience of their house. Depending on what you wish to accomplish you will have many choices. Some home gyms focus on strength training while others focus more on endurance training. And a new breed of gyms will do cross training or a combination of many exercises for a variety of muscle groups.

For those individuals looking to get bigger and stronger you can find home gyms with alot of weight that focus on pressing exercises. These are the more traditional equipment that you are used to seeing, similar to what is used in a public gym. You can do such exercises as bench presses, military press, lat pulldowns, and more. The selection for these gyms is quite large, fitting many different budgets.

You can also use your home gym to tone up your muscles and perform cardiovascular exercises. These types of exercises focus on strengthening the heart and increasing endurance, while toning the muscles at the same time. This type of total body workout is excellent for those people who don’t desire bigger muscles, but rather want a thinner and healthier body.

Some home gyms can actually do both quite well. One that comes to mind is the bowflex which is designed for just about anybody who wants to get in great shape, while saving time in the confines of their own home. You can apply alot of weight to any of their stations or use less weight and vary the angles for more cardiovascular work. These home gyms are terrific in performing quick and effective workouts to target all muscles groups in the body. Plus most of the bowflex models fold up and can be stored out of the way.

If you are on a tight budget and don’t need to workout your entire body you can also consider purchasing a treadmill, elliptical trainer, or even stationary bike. These pieces of equipment will all raise your heartrate and burn calories but are not used for increasing muscle size or strength. Many people use these daily to reduce stress and increase their energy levels after a long day of work.

When deciding which home gym is the right one for you, consider what your specific needs are. If you want to build muscle and size then there are many options out there that are geared just for that. Additionally you can find home gyms that do strength training as well as cardio training for a complete body workout. Weigh your needs against your budget and do some research. There will be many choices for you.

Home fitness gyms are quite popular for people who want the benefits of a good workout without having to leave home to get it. The best home gyms on the market are durable, reliable, constructed with quality parts and materials, and most importantly, meet your specific fitness and workout needs.

Three Types of Home Gyms

There are three basic types of home gym:

• Machine • Free weight • Plate loaded machine

Each type comes with its own advantages and disadvantages, and each is suited to different workout needs and styles. Determining the best home gyms for your consideration requires some research and information gathering to narrow the list to a few you can try out in person.

Let’s take a look at each of these in turn.

About Machine Home Gyms

Machine home gyms are constructed of a single steel frame. Attached to this frame are different types of training equipment that work different parts of the body with different motions and exercises.

Machine home gyms generally fall into three categories:

Traditional – This is the most common type of machine home gym. It contains multiple stations and functions, such as a lat pull down, leg extension and leg curl, press, and bench. Most also have an adjustable weight stack and may also have a low row station, too.

Power rod – This category uses flexible rods to create resistance and weight load during your workout. The rods are of varying stiffness and thus create various levels of resistance. The most well known power rod home gym is the Bowflex brand.

Gravity resistance – This category of machine home gyms is typically lightweight, portable, and of somewhat questionable quality. The machine has a metal frame that is adjustable, and a gliding bench or board that holds your body during exercises. The weight of your body creates the resistance, as you pull on cables to glide yourself up and down various inclines and in various positions.

About Free Weight Home Gyms

A free weight home gym consists of several separate pieces of equipment that are not attached together in any way. The pieces are used in different combinations and different frequencies to achieve training goals. Weights are added, dropped or adjusted by hand, using whichever bar you have selected for a particular exercise.

Free weight home gyms generally fall into three categories:

Traditional – This is the most common category and considered by many to be the best home gyms for multi-purpose workouts. The specific components may vary, but usually include at least one barbell, two dumbbells, a variety of weight plates, a bench and rack, and collars to prevent weight plates from falling.

Power rack – This category is generally for home gyms that focus on heavy exercises. The power rack itself is free standing and holds the barbell. The user adjusts the height of the rack so that he or she squats slightly to place the barbell across the top of the back, then stands up straight and moves back to commence the exercise. When the exercise is complete, the user simply moves forward again and places the barbell back in the rack.

Power cage – This category of equipment is used in much the same manner as a power rack, but with a slight difference. The power cage has rectangular sides for holding the barbell, which means the user cannot move as far forward or backward as they can with power rack equipment.

About Plate Loaded Machine Home Gyms

A plate loaded machine home gym combines elements of both a free weight home gym and a standard machine home gym. It may have several stations and functions like a machine home gym, but instead of having a standard weight stack it requires you to add and subtract weight by hand, just like with a free weight home gym.

There are three common categories of plate loaded machine home gyms:

Machine without weight stacks – This category is for equipment that is essentially a standard machine home gym with multiple stations, but with the exception that weights are loaded manually.

Smith machine – This category is a machine-form of a power rack or a power cage. Instead of the user moving backward to perform the actual exercises, a smith machine limits the motion to straight up and down without any forward or backward movement.

Combination Smith machine – This category combines the elements of a standard smith machine with some of the things found on a machine gym, such as a lat pull down or other similar function.

Which Gym is Best For You?

The best home gyms are those that have the features and functions that match your personal fitness goals and meet other specific requirement.

For example, if your goal is to build gigantic muscles then you should consider a smith machine that allows you to do squats, dead lifts, and perform both with a great deal of weight. If your goals are more modest, though, then a standard machine home gym should be sufficient. You might even prefer a gravity resistance home gym if you are more interested in overall body toning rather than building up muscle bulk.

Of course, cost is a big consideration, and as with most other types of fitness equipment, you will tend to get a level of quality that is in line with the amount of money that you spend. Many people opt for a short term membership at a gym or fitness club so that they can try several types of machines to see which ones they like best.

Still not sure which is right for you? Think about buying an inexpensive home gym of whatever type you like the best so you can try it out without making a huge financial commitment. If you are ready to take the plunge and invest in a high quality, serious fitness home gym, though, expect to spend at least $500 and more likely around $1,000 or more.

Before making any purchase, it is critical that you measure the space where you plan to put your home gym so you know exactly how big your home gym should be. Remember to allow enough space around the perimeter of the home gym so that you can easily move around and access the equipment.

There are many brands and styles of home gyms available to you. While there may be some brands that provide equal quality and styling to the top brand names, here are some brief reviews of the better-known home gyms that will assist you in making your decision as to which may the best for you:

Bowflex is among the top names in fitness equipment. Infomercials and advertisements give consumers an excellent grasp on the features and number of exercises that can be performed on a Bowflex. You can perform 60 different exercises with a Bowflex machine and it is quite easy to use and maneuver. Bowflex is not the least expensive home gym by any means, but the construction and quality are unsurpassed.

Bowflex users report an extremely high rate of satisfaction and effectiveness. In order to purchase all the equipment that would enable you to perform the exercises you can do with one Bowflex machine, you would undoubtedly spend thousands of dollars. Bowflex is extremely effective and well worth the cost.

Nordic Track is also among the leading manufacturers of home gym equipment. Most Nordic track owners are very satisfied with their purchase and report that their home gym is very effective and lives up to the promises made by the manufacturer. Nordic Track offers many types of home fitness equipment and the quality is very good compared to most major brands. Nordic Track is a worthy investment for the serious home fitness enthusiast.

Cybex is at the top of the list as far as home gyms are concerned. They are stylishly designed and the construction is top notch. Easy to use and quite effective, Cybex makes some of the most durable fitness equipment available today. You will pay a premium price for a Cybex home gym, but in return you will receive a premium piece of equipment that will last for many years.

Nautilus is another top selling brand in home gyms. Nautilus makes numerous types of fitness equipment that is sure to suit any user. Nautilus is not as flashy as some other brands, but the quality is excellent and the price is more affordable than Cybex, Nordic Track, and Bowflex. Nautilus is a good choice for home users and professional athletes alike.

When choosing a home gym, look at the quality and reputation as well as the price. A larger investment now can save you money in the long run due to having to replace equipment after a short period of time.

Busy people don’t have much time for leisure, nor for long trips traveling on the road. Busy people spend most of their time at work and at home. But it doesn’t mean that they should not make any effort to get a good exercise workout. Not when you can have your very own gym at home. In fact, you can have a total workout with just one piece of exercise equipment.

It’s your choice, a home gym or a commercial gym. If you watch television, perhaps you’ve noticed the ads airing from some of the major commercial gyms. They often encourage club memberships saying this ensures you’ll get excellent workout results. Some people, including some famous movie stars, claim that by having a home gym you can actually get better results.

There are several factors that you should look into before choosing between a home gym and a commercial gym. Both have their advantages, as well as disadvantages. In the end, you will still be the one to choose no matter what other people might say.

• Money and Time Saver

Traveling to and from the gym consumes time and energy. If you have a home gym, you can save money because you can cut back on you gas costs and you don’t have to pay for monthly club fees or continuous membership dues. When you get home from work, you can rest for a while and then do your exercise at your convenience.

• Choose your own work out schedule

It’s pretty rare to find any commercial gym that is open day and night. And the truth is it’s not everyday that you’re in the urge of getting a workout. By having a home gym, you can work out any time of the day or night you choose and regardless of the weather. So even if there is a thunderstorm outside, you can still do your workout inside the house.

• Better environment

If you join a commercial gym, you have to bear with all the distractions. It’s common to see a number of people in the gym working out. There are those who flex their muscles, while others flaunt their sexy bodies. These distractions can be discouraging, especially if you do want a thorough body workout. And here’s the clincher, even if you can’t get the workout you like, you will still have to pay for it.

But with having your own home gym, it lets you create your own environment, one that is best for you and your situation. You can play your favorite music or you can watch your favorite TV show/movie while doing your workout. Plus there are people who don’t like to be watched when they exercise. And so they will benefit greatly from using a home gym.

So what do you think? Will you go for a home gym or a commercial gym? Staying at home and doing your workout has its advantages. But there is still one thing. The exercise equipment is very important. Today, you can actually find a single machine which can provide you with the needed workout. There are different brands like Body Craft, Weider, NordicTrack and other home gym machines. Most of them are reasonably priced. Besides, you will only need to buy one or two equipments just once, and you get to use it for many years thereafter. There are even brands which offer a lifetime warranty.

So what are you waiting for? Shop around and find that home gym equipment that you will need.

This is the second part of a report entitled Best Home Gyms - Who Can You Trust When Buying Online. You can read the first part of the report by visiting http://home-fitness-equipment.blogspot.com

Now for some more tips on buying the best home gyms online.

4. Knowledge

If you’re new to the whole fitness equipment scene and you need a bit of advice you should be able to get helpful advice on what equipment suits your needs. It’s not very convincing when the people selling the equipment don’t now any more about it than you do.

5. Customer Service and Satisfaction

This is very important! The company should offer service guarantees and in home repairs by a certified technician where appropriate. The last thing you want is to buy from a company that has poor follow up service.

Ideally they should also provide an option to return the equipment “no questions asked” so that the risk of the purchase is all on the vendor. If you decide within a set period of time after the purchase that you don’t want the equipment anymore they with give you a full refund.

Sadly, there is only one online supplier that I know of who offers a “30-day no questions asked return policy”

Want to know who? Save yourself hours of research by receiving a list of the top most reputable online suppliers. Send a blank email to mailto:specialreport@home-gym-buyers-guide.com

6. Testimonials

Look for customer testimonials or reviews from other websites. There is no better way to remove any doubts you might have by reading what other home gym equipment buyers have said about the business. It can also help in choosing the best equipment as well.

If they don’t have any on their website send them an email and ask them to send you some. Oh, and if their customer service is up to scratch they should respond to your email quickly…;)

7. Price of equipment

There is nothing worse than buying something and then seeing somewhere that you could have bought it cheaper somewhere else…it’s happened to everyone I know!

Although most websites will offer a 110% guarantee on the prices of their equipment some of the smaller websites or those selling their own line of equipment may not.

Don’t let this put you off though…

You will usually find that those websites that sell their own brand of home gym equipment are a lot cheaper and better value compared to the more established brand name machines.

Now that you are armed with this information it should take the stress out of buying online and push you closer to owning one of the best home gyms.