The Home Gym 

If you can’t find a gym facility that fits your needs or your busy schedule, consider creating your own exercise space at home.  It could be the answer to fitting workouts into your daily life.  At home, the gym is always open. 

First, decide on a budget.  Outfitting a home gym involves great expense.  You don’t want to spend more than you would on membership at a health club just to buy the equipment.     

Being practical is the key.  Salespeople will try to sell you everything they offer, but you must know what you can afford and what you want.  Don’t get talked into buying machines that you will never use.  If you buy used equipment, get a warrantee. 

What kinds of exercises do you like to do?  If you don’t enjoy walking, don’t purchase a treadmill no matter how much of a deal it is.  Bicycling may be more your speed.  Look into prices for recumbent or air type stationary bicycles.   

What will your goals be?  If you want to burn fat and slim down, purchase aerobic equipment as opposed to resistance machines.  There is no need to purchase a Bowflex® machine if you don’t plan on using weights.   

Check out the sale papers and the classified ads.  People sell exercise equipment all the time.  Before purchasing anything, make sure that the equipment is in good working condition.  Take your time.  Impulse buying is not good.  No one wants “buyer’s remorse” later on.   

If you have five machines on your wish list, but only room in your home for two, something needs to be adjusted.  Instead of a treadmill, choose to walk outside and invest in a bike or a weight machine.  Compromise is not always a bad thing. 

Consider equipment that has more than one function to create more space.  A treadclimber is a treadmill that also moves up and down like a stairclimber.  This combines both machines into one for a more effective workout.  Also, a weight machine that has stations for different body parts is more economical financially and space wise than purchasing a weight bench and an entire set of dumbbells. 

Garage space could be an option for your home gym if you don’t mind a little chill in the wintertime.  Parking in the driveway and utilizing the garage can be the answer to the problem of space.  Map out where you want each item to go before you buy anything. 

Before you commit to a home gym, consider three things:  space, budget, and preferences.  For busy moms, an on-site gym offers the convenience of a workout whenever the mood strikes.