Getting a Marcy Home Gym? Know Your Choices

A Marcy home gym ranks as one of the top choices for home gym equipment among many weight lifters and fitness buffs. For reliability, ease of use and value for money, Marcy home gyms have it all. To see what this favorite home gym brand has to offer, here is a sneak peek at some of its popular machines:

Marcy Powerstation
For a Marcy home gym equipment that offers all-in-one features, the Marcy Powerstation is a great choice. The equipment itself is made with heavy steel, so you are assured of power and stability that can last you for years. The grips are made from basic foam, but they are comfortable enough to assure a continuous home gym workout.

The Marcy Home Gym Powerstation is best for building the upper body and can work your arms, chest, back, shoulders and arms effectively. The abs can also be targeted using 5 different positions. This is a terrific home gym system that is easy to assemble and use.

Marcy Multi-Station MWM 1800
This Marcy home gym equipment features two weight stacks of 100 lbs. each, perfect for buddy home workouts. The abdominal strap, lat bar and straight bar are included in the basic equipment. For serious weight lifters, the weight stack can be purchased separately.

The Marcy MWM 1800 includes a free chart featuring the pin placements for the weight amounts of every exercise your perform. This helps you plan your workout progress as you go along. The Marcy Home Gym MWM 1800 works smoothly and offers value for its price. It's easy to use, although assembly might take a while. It's also a bit bulky, so make sure you have enough space in your home.

Marcy Personal Multi-Gym MWM 900
Beginner fitness fans will love this machine. For value and features, the Marcy Home Gym MWM 900 offers a lot of challenge to work out different muscle groups and keep the body toned and strong. Comfort is also high on the list of the manufacturers when this home gym was built and the hardware are top quality.

The arm press doubles as a chest press and you can also work out your pecs without changing or shifting anything. All the other parts such as the pulley stations, the lateral bar and the straight bar offer a lot in terms of exercise variety. There is no reason for you to be bored when using a Marcy home gym machine.

The rollers are padded for extra protection and the back and lumbar areas are supported with contoured pads, so there's no need to worry about straining your body during a good workout. The Marcy MWM 900 is pretty quiet and the smooth operation is tops on the list of many gym users.

Marcy Personal Multi-Gym MWM Premier
If you want a more challenging workout, the Marcy Home Gym MWM Premier offers a tougher challenge. The basic equipment includes a 150-lb weight stack made of cast iron that can push your muscles to build strength and definition. Once you've begun to progress, you have the option of getting another 50-lb. weight stack for a heavier workout.

The pectoral contractor and preacher curl are fully adjustable and the handles rotate, allowing you to go through different motions without having to change your grip. Like the MWM 900, the arm and chest press lets you shift your focus without having to move or get up from your seat.

Comfort is also addressed by this home gym machine - the seats are padded, the back is contoured for a snug fit and provides lumbar support. There are also a wide range of exercises you can perform and the quiet action ensures that you get to focus on your tasks perfectly.

Marcy MWM 1600
The Marcy MWM 1600 home gym lets you shift and play with the resistance to create thirty different settings for better, tougher training. This is via the power booster system that features three positions.

Once you've fully mastered the motions, you will find at least 20 different exercises for strength training, enough to keep you challenged and interested. All the muscle groups are addressed by this home gym equipment and the parts are constructed in such a way to be ergonomically effective, so the only aches you'll worry about is the feel of your muscles growing.

The Marcy Home Gym MWM 1600 is bigger than the MWM 900 so floor space is an issue. If you do have the room for it, though, the MWM 1600 is a machine that can offer you total body workout and the best results.

For more information now go to: http://www.yourownhomegym.com/Marcy-Home-Gym.html

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Tips for Designing the Best Exercise Program Using Your Home Gym

How many times have you heard someone say, "I can't really follow through with an exercise program because I'm just too busy" or "I got caught up in traffic" or "That gym instructor is just way too fast and too tough for me"? If that sounds like you, then you probably need an exercise program designed to fit your schedule and type of equipment right in your own home.

With so many ways to keep fit and healthy at home, there really is no reason why anyone should not have an exercise program. Your home gym is a convenient, private place to keep fit and it's the perfect supplement to an exercise program you can design specifically for your own unique requirements.

Know your fitness level

If you've never had an exercise program before and are unfamiliar with how to go about it despite all that equipment in your home gym, it's best to know first how your body can perform. If necessary, consult your doctor before getting into a regular workout regimen so you will know what kind of exercise program is right for you.

Use a process

Getting into an exercise program should be a gradual process. Don't try to shock your body into submission because you're less likely to reap the best rewards of the program if you do. Don't do step exercises if they strain you too much. Oftentimes, a half-hour session with a treadmill is enough to get you started before you begin other exercise programs to increase your resistance and improve your training.

Set a goal

Decide what you want to do with your body. Do you want ripped abs and big muscles or you just want to lose weight and increase your strength? If you know what you want out of your home exercise program, you can decide which exercise routine is just perfect.

Set your short-term and long-term goals. If you want to lose weight, the treadmill, ski machine or stationary bike can help you trim a few pounds. If you need some muscle tone, using weights will do the trick. If you want your upper arms and lower body toned, a rowing machine or a stair climber can help you reach your goals.

What sign are you?

Each one of us has an exercise personality. Find out what yours is so you can design a home exercise program you'll never get bored of and keep coming back to. If you're the type who can use the treadmill for an hour every day of the week, then do so. If you prefer going through your quiet Pilates motions on the mat, you can do that, too. Just make sure the exercise program you picked is designed to meet your fitness goals and let you have fun as well.

Find time

A schedule will make your home gym exercise program more effective. Find the best time in any day when you can perform your exercise routine efficiently. Thirty minutes in the morning before you shower or a half-hour before bedtime, it's your choice.

When you do commit to a set schedule, stick to it. Your home exercise program will only work to your advantage if you perform it regularly. And when you've made your schedule, use one day of the week as your rest day. Your body needs to refuel, too and you can push it to work harder if it has enough strength to perform.

Your home exercise program

Regardless of the home exercise program you choose, make sure you have a variety you can perform on different days of the week. The treadmill will probably help you lose weight and tone you down, but if you get into an exercise rut, you better have an alternative.

Here is an example of an exercise program you can do in one week:

Monday - do cardios. Step on a bike or a treadmill and perform this for at least 30 minutes.

Tuesday - perform lower body toning exercises such as squats, leg curls and calve raises to trim your leg and hip fat and bring out your muscles. Throw in a couple of exercises to whittle your abs.

Wednesday - do cardios again.

Thursday - work out your upper body for toning and strength. Do curls, shrugs and pull-ups for your biceps and back muscles. Don't forget your abs.

Friday - do cardios.

Saturday - concentrate on keeping your shoulders and chest area looking good. Do tricep dips or use a barbell press. And yes, do your abs.

Sunday - your rest day.

Getting involved in an exercise program in your home gym takes some discipline and commitment on your part. After all, your body will only look as good as you want it to and the power to lead a fit and healthy lifestyle is really in your hands. Choose a home exercise program you love and you won't feel like it's a workout at all.

For more information now go to: http://www.yourownhomegym.com/Exercise-Gym-Home-Program.html, http://www.myalpha-power.com or http://www.aperfectharmony.com

Tips For Getting The Total Fitness Machine For Your Home Gym

Fitness is a choice we make to live better, healthier lives. These days when too many people are leading sedentary lives and getting out of shape, getting fit has become a top priority for more and more people. But with so many choices, which total home fitness equipment should you get?

Here are some tips to help you decide which gym equipment can give you a total work out and help you achieve your fitness goals:

What do you really want? Sometimes the best home fitness machine that can give you a total workout is as simple as a stationary bicycle or a treadmill. Get the home fitness machine that will work best for your own unique requirement and that will address the specific fitness concerns that you may have. Whether you want to lose weight or build muscles, there are different total fitness gym machines that can perform the right combination of tasks to get you where you want to go.

Measurable results Aim for something that is tangible. If the machine you're looking at promises to tone your thighs, then it should provide enough resistance to do so and not just some vague promise that it will give you long, lean muscles if you keep using it.

Try it for size Check out the fitness machine and see how the bars and handles will fit into your hands and if the extensions can accommodate you're the length of your legs. Even the simple treadmill comes in lengths that put your body size into consideration.

Consider comfort as one of your top requirements when choosing a home fitness machine. If there are too many demands on parts of your body like your back or knees, your fitness workout will have more negative repercussions than advantages.

No quick and empty promises You've probably seen a lot of advertisements on TV and in the back of newspapers and magazines trumpeting the newest and best total fitness equipment that will surprise and satisfy you. The sad fact is, most of the time, the hype doesn't equal the actual results.

Stay away from total home fitness gym equipment that promise too much, too many for a too short period of time. There's a good chance that these promises are empty or at best, temporary. If your home fitness equipment works, then it should do so gradually and permanently.

Price The cost of a total fitness home gym machine can go as little as $800 and as high as over $3,000. Which one you choose will really depend on your budget and fitness goals. And while it may seem a small matter, the size of your available space at home will also figure in your choice. Some home gym machines are bulky and heavy and will need dedicated space if you want to use them efficiently.

Use A total fitness home gym machine should accommodate the number of users you have in the house. It should also be easy to assemble and allow you to make quick changes in the resistance or weight if necessary. Some home gym machines even allow simultaneous users for different workout stations. This way, you can enjoy a fitness workout with other members of the family.

For a total body workout, a home gym equipment as simple as a rowing machine will perform well. Choose the right resistance for your fitness level and it will work out your upper and lower arms, back, thighs and legs. It's low impact and will not be too harsh on your knees.

If you're already reasonably fit and want to build muscles, you might want to try a universal gym like Tuff Stuff's CFM-555 or BodyCraft Family Xpress home gym. These are the type of home fitness machines that offer a lot in terms of exercise variety. Plus, you get to build strength and muscles with the weight stack that comes with each set. Depending on the model, you can get a basic set with maximum 200-lb. weight stacks.

A compact home gym like the 500HG from True may also be a good choice. It's very affordable (price range starts at about $800) and offers a lot in terms of flexibility and exercise choices. Another home fitness gym machine you might want to try is Gold's Gym's Power Flex, which offers a lot of resistance and can give you 65 ways of doing workouts.

There are dozens of other home fitness equipment in the market that offer total body workout. While cost savings is a powerful incentive to buy, find the best machine that can offer you the features that you need and are willing to use. Purchase fitness equipment for your home gym based on your own judgment and requirement and you're likely to have a total workout that you'll enjoy and benefit from.

For more information now go to: http://www.yourownhomegym.com/The-Best-Home-Gym-Fitness.html

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Choices Tor Home Gym Equipment That Offer Total Fitness

If you're aiming for total fitness, then there's a lot of home gym equipment you can choose from. In most cases, basic equipment will probably give you a lot in terms of cardiovascular training and weight loss, but if your idea of total fitness means tougher challenges to target specific areas of the body, then there are certain home gym equipment you can look at.

Depending on your preference and fitness goals, here are a few of the fitness machines you can find in stores and what you can expect:

The EXM-1500S
For a home gym offering total fitness, the EXM-1500S is a solid powerhouse. The weight stack is only 160 lbs., but that's enough to give you some serious at-home workout and also a great choice for beginners or moderate users who are easily intimidated by heavier and bulkier machines. The equipment parts are excellent and features powder-coated frames made of heavy steel. You'll get a lot of workout safety with the pulleys, which are made from industrial-grade materials.

The EXM-1500S comes with a lifetime warranty and can be had for less than $1,000. Not bad for a total fitness home gym equipment that has a lot to offer.

The EXM4000S
At $3,499, this total fitness home gym equipment is not for wimps. It features multiple workout stations which allow a maximum of four users to exercise simultaneously. Not one but three weight stacks that at 210 lbs., can give you a complete home workout. The weight stacks can be customized in increments of 10 lbs. so you can build your resistance and strength gradually.

If you want the total gym equipment package, the EXM4000S is a great choice. It offers a lot in terms of upper and lower body workout choices for total conditioning, toning, endurance and muscle building.

The Titan T1
For home gym equipment that is named after the giants of Greek mythology, the Titan T1 is built to intimidate you into performing your home fitness routine or just provide you with enough challenge to keep you going. Many experienced gym owners and fitness enthusiasts like it because of its user-friendly features that's perfect for both family-use and serious bodybuilding work.

Titan is more famous in Europe than in the US, but it's slowly gaining admirers on the local scene. Some of the Titan T1's features are those found in commercial gym equipment, such as its 'Assisted Exercise Technology' which will run you through an exercise routine as well as a real, flesh-and-blood trainer would.

The Titan T1 boasts of machine-milled pillars that are stainless steel. Many weightlifters prefer this to the usual chrome-plated pillars that are used in many regular home gym equipment. It's tougher and sturdier and can provide a challenging total body workout.

The Hoist V5
Sometimes referred to as the 'Cadillac' of the total fitness machines, this is one of the high-end contenders and can cost upwards from $2,500. It may be worth your money, though because it can help you perform varied exercises to target specific areas of the body for total core-conditioning. The weight stack is at 200 lbs., enough to keep you lean and mean.

It includes a leg-curl, a bar for the lat pulldown and a chest press. The leg press is not included in the basic equipment, although it can be purchased separately.

The BodyCraft Family Xpress
If you're not the only fitness buff in your family looking for a total body workout, then the BodyCraft may just have the perfect fitness solution for you. This total home gym features two weight stacks of 200 lbs. each, allowing multiple users to work out at the same time. The cable system is fully adjustable for weight training and the basic equipment includes a crunch station to keep abdominals flat and ripped.

The leg press provides resistance of up to 400 lbs., enough for even the most jaded fitness enthusiast to feel challenged. The hip station is optional, though and you might find that the equipment itself eats up a lot of floor space, but for a total workout, this is an equipment you might want to consider.

The Powertec Workbench
If you like the features of a total home gym and are targeting your muscle groups for some serious training, the Powertec might be a good choice. Be warned that this is not for beginners and serious weight training fans may have better use for it.

The Powertec allows you to customize your weights (you will need to use your own) and it's more than able to assist you for some power lifting. It provides some serious challenge with 250 lbs. for the leg lift, 350 lbs. for the lat pulldown and 500 lbs. for the press. You can get a 200-lb. arm curl as an addition and if you're planning to buy this equipment, be prepared to spend for extra weights.

For total fitness at your home gym, nothing beats a fitness equipment that comes complete with features. Make sure you do some shopping first before actually buying and try the equipment for a few minutes to see if it will deliver what it promises. If you partner with the right kind of home gym equipment, total fitness is not an impossibility.

For more information now go to: http://www.yourownhomegym.com/Total-Fitness-Home-Gym.html

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Home Gym Exercising Tips

In order to build muscle and reach your fitness goals with your home gym, you can find comprehensive workout programs based on your individual home gym fitness goals and access to strength training equipment in your home gym. These programs can be found online on videos or DVDs. You can also download your home gym workout to your mobile device or MP3 player.

A lot of people think that they need to spend hours in their home gyms every day to lose body fat, but that is not true. Gaining lean muscle by working out in your home gym increases your resting metabolic rate (RMR) much faster than just cardiovascular exercises alone. Strength training combined with metabolic conditioning is the best way to transform your body using your home gym.

Here are some good tips for developing and maintaining a solid workout program in your home gym in the New Year:

Mix up your home gym workout for more muscle. Keep your body guessing as to what you will do in your home gym and you'll progress faster. Make sure to vary the type of home gym exercise that you do, the length of rest periods, sequence of exercises, number of repetitions, training loads, distances, etc.

Train in your home gym as if life is a sport. That means exercising in your home gym for real world fitness and making sure that you follow a well-rounded home gym fitness regime. It's great to have big muscles but if you can't run a mile something is wrong. A healthy lifestyle requires a balance of mental toughness, agility, stamina, strength-endurance and physical strength.

Be consistent and persistent when working out in your home gym. Following the world's best training program only one day per week is a lot less effective than doing a moderate program three times a week. Work out in your home gym at least three times per week to maximize your results.

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What Are The Most Popular Home Gyms

Once you have decided to purchase a home gym, you may begin taking a closer look at some well-known home gyms that are out there on the market. Taking a closer look at well-known home gyms is a great idea before you settle on the one that will work for you and your needs. This requires looking at both some pros and cons of each kind. Which includes weighing these against each other and in the end coming out with a product that may really work for you and your physical fitness needs and goals.

One of the first ones we will look at is the Weider Home Gyms Review The Weider Crossbar, which previously has been known as the Crossbow. This one uses bows that are sturdy yet flexible for resistance type training. It can offer resistance from five pounds to two hundred and forty pounds. There is also one upgrade that is available, that can raise the resistance to four hundred and forty pounds. This home gym is usually around five hundred dollars to purchase. From this brief description you will be able to tell that the product is relatively cheap and can be used for a lot of different types of exercises.

Another one of the well-known home gyms that are available is the Gold's Gym Home Gym, which is known as the Power Flex. This particular one is known as a universal gym. This one also uses flexible bows that give great resistance type of training. Usually the most resistance is two hundred and ten pounds, but an upgrade is available here also. This can make it up to four hundred and ten pounds of resistance. Usually these Power Flexes cost between five hundred and nine hundred dollars. Some great benefits to this brand are a rowing station that does up to sixty-five unique exercises and the ability for it to fold up in to a two-foot by three-foot space.

Yet another brand available is the Tuff Stuff Home Gym brand that makes the CFM-555. This is once again a gym that is universal that includes one weight stack. This one usually costs around twelve hundred dollars. One great benefit to this brand is that the range of motion device on it is very easy to use. Another advantage is the contoured seat back and a good variation of exercises that are available.

Hoist Home Gyms also make a very popular home gym known as the H-100. This one is actually very much respected in this field. It is once again a universal gym. This one can be a bit pricey at fifteen hundred dollars, but many people say it's worth it. This gym also has only one weight stack for training. Yet this gym is very well constructed and tends to be a bit more durable then most of the other ones out there. This gym is also designed to save space in your home.

Another one of the well-known gyms as well, is the Marcy Home Gyms MWM 1800. This one features dual weight stacks, with a hundred pounds each. This is great for a husband and wife who would like to work out together, since both can do so at the same time. This particular gym also has the ability of doing around twenty different exercises and only costs around four hundred dollars. This makes this gym a really good deal and it tends to fit well in most spaces.

One of the last well-known home gyms to look at is the Powerhouse Home Gyms PH-1300. This one is actually is a combination between the universal type of gym and a free weight home gym. This is because it is set up as a universal one with the user supplying the weight rack. This one actually costs only around three hundred and fifty dollars, yet you have to buy the weights as well. This type of home gym can hold up to five hundred pounds, is fairly cheap and pretty lightweight as well.

Having taken a thorough look at some of the well-known home gyms that are out there, you will have a better idea of what you have to choose from. Once you know fairly well what you have to choose from, you will be able to make better decisions. This can only lead to you finding the best deal for your personal fitness goals.

Check out http://www.homegymsreview.com for more articles on marcy home gyms and discount home gym.

 

Fitness - A Guide To Buying Home Gym Equipment

Membership of your local gym gives you access to a wide range of equipment and also provides you with advice and encouragement from the gym staff and other members, but also limits you to the opening times of the gym and means that you're going to have to add the time to travel to the gym and venture out, rain or shine. By contrast, a modern home gym can also give you access to a wide range of equipment but with the ease of being able to exercise whenever you want to without having to venture out of the house. But what should you buy?

If you're just starting out, or returning to exercise after a lengthy break, you should hold off on buying a home gym for a while and should enroll at your local gym for a short time so that you can check out some of the latest equipment with a knowledgeable instructor. This way you can get a good idea of just what you want to buy and, more importantly, don't want to buy.

If you're interested in weight training, then one of the first things you'll want to buy is a set of weights.

Free weights can be purchased quite cheaply with basic set of weights often coming in at under $50. You'll need a mix of small weights, 10 lb (4.5 kg) and 20 lb (9 kg) hand-held dumbbells and a bar with larger, exchangeable weights. There's little to choose these days between different bars but you'll need to choose between metal or plastic weights. Here it's largely a question of personal choice between the old-fashioned clink of metal and the marginally safer plastic (often a composite filled with sand) weights.

At some point, you'll probably want to move up to a weight machine which offers the ability to focus on specific muscle groups, such as the biceps, quadriceps and deltoids, in a much safer way than using free weights. In addition, some muscle groups, like the calves and hamstrings, are harder to work using free weights.

Once you're ready to move up to a weight machine, be prepared to pay a fair amount of money. Configurations and cost will vary widely from simple resistance machines, at a few hundred dollars, to multi-station, adjustable weight stacks, which will run you somewhere between $2,000 and $5,000 or more.

Another increasingly popular option is stair steppers. A simple model, offering you the ability to get a good cardiovascular workout in a small space at home with low joint impact, while building thighs and calves will cost from about $80 up to $150.

A more elaborate stair stepper which is adjustable (speed, angle, resistance level, pedal distance etc.) and includes such things as a heart rate monitor and digital readouts for things like your speed, distance climbed and calories burnt, will come in at nearer to $1,7000 or $2,000.

Treadmills are also becoming a very common item in most home gyms. Again a very basic treadmill will cost you just a few hundred dollars but, like the stair stepper, a feature-packed treadmill will set you back at least $1,000 and could easily come in at about $2,000 with all of the features you'll want to have.

By the time you've finished your home gym is going to cost you several thousand dollars and so it's not something you should invest in unless you intend to make exercise a part of your daily routine and dedicate yourself to a regular and consistent program of training.

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About Exercise and COPD Part 3b - Building The Home Gym

OK, so where were we? Oh yes. That's right. In part 3a we came to the realization that you have the money and the space for a gym that offers just about everything you need for the total strength training experience. You have a fitness level that is challenged by COPD (or maybe you don't), but nevertheless you are fit enough that you can wrap your mind around the notion of traditional strength training as a vehicle to a healthier you. So, what do you buy? OK, I'll answer that. But first, a story.

I have a friend. The sweetest of people I have ever known. I love this person more than anything on the earth. She has the sweetest soul you could imagine, and she has a heart of gold. I would do anything for this women, including eating my own left foot if I had to. She really is my best friend. Yet, like millions of consumers out there, she is a tad on the gullible side when it comes to shopping for her fitness needs. She is a home shopping junky, and one day, while getting her HSN fix, she spotted what I will only refer to as "The Abdominator". I won't use the actual name of the product, for that would be more flattery than it deserves. Suffice it to say that this contraption was the biggest T-Total, colossal piece of garbage anyone could spend fives cents on, let alone the $150.00 it cost her to buy it. Sheeesh! And it was hazardous, too. Just climbing into the damn thing was more dangerous than playing leap frog in a Baghdad mine field. It was ridiculous.

Now I ask you, reader, what do you think happened with my friends "Abdominator"? I'll give you two guesses. Nothing and nothing. Unless, of course, you consider collecting dust under her bed as being something.

Granted, she had the best of intentions, that's for sure. Yet, I think even she would have to admit that she was not really ready to make a commitment. However, she did have enough motivation that if this product had yielded results within the first couple of workouts, no doubt she would have continued to use it. But the product didn't work, and so she lost interest.

My point in mentioning the above story is to get you to understand that a) you need to be ready to make a commitment. Don't waste money on strength training tools if you have not decided to be serious about your fitness goals; and b) of the many options you have when it comes to buying fitness equipment, the one you MUST avoid at all costs is the "equipment that isn't worth a garbage" option. And believe me, the fitness equipment industry is loaded with heaping, steaming piles of the the stuff. Now, on with the meat and potatoes of this column.

Bands and cables are fine, and so are pushups. But what about pumping iron, baby! You have thought it and thought about it. True, you lack the raw experience, but you want the feel of it. You want to feel cold steel in your hands. You want sweat pouring off you brow and you want to know what it feel like to breath like a freight train. What do you do?

Well, you might consider the use of a Smith Machine or something similar. Below is a picture of a similar type machine that would fall into the class of Smith Machines. For a look at what a Smith Machine looks like, you can head over to this place.

I love the advantages that a piece of equipment like this brings to the table. This particular Smith-Machine-like device is called the IM2000. This model can be fitted with accessories. Not only can you do basic movements like squats, deadlifts, shrugs and bench presses with extreme safety, but add-on tools will permit you to perform just about any other exercise you can imagine.

Self-Spotting machines like the one above are SAFE. Systems like this allow you many of the benefits of free weight training, while eliminating almost all of the risks inherent to free weight lifts. As you can see, this model takes up relatively little space and can easily handle multiple hundreds of pounds. As a total gym, I can't recommend it enough.

The price of one of these gems (gyms) is reasonable, but it ain't chicken feed. You are looking at spending between $1000.00-2000.00 depending on which company you go with. Moreover, you will more than likely have to assemble at least some of it. So, get out your tools.

Now, you may be asking yourself, "Look, I have COPD and I am not sure that building muscle is something I can do. Should I really be considering this"? Hell Yes! You most certainly should build muscle and, yes, you should consider this. Look, the more muscle and strength you have on your upper shoulders, back, ribs, diaphragm and chest, the stronger you will be and the stronger your breathing will be. Not only that, but progressive resistance training of this type places stress on your bones and joints in such a way as to make them stronger as well. Furthermore, certain movements like squats and deadlifts compress the diaphragm and expand the airways in such a way as to help clear them better than many types of exercise.

OK, so a smith machine seems like a great way to go. But what if you want the experience of moving an actual weight that is not already locked into place? What if you want to impove your balance as well as speed? Well, this too is achievable, but you will need a tad more space, a tad more money, and you will need a bit more courage. Lastly, you might consider getting a training partner.

In part 3c, we will look into this option in detail. Stay tuned.

To learn more about Strength Training For The Management of Cystic Fibrosis and other forms of CPOD, click here.

About Exercise and COPD Part 3a - Building The Home Gym

In my first two columns on COPD, my objective was to help you understand that the challenge of exercise is overwhelming for most people, and that for this reason most healthy people choose not to workout. This challenge is made all the more challenging when you also have to deal with COPD.

I proceeded to make the case that exercise is vitally important for people managing all forms of COPD, but there are numerous obstacles facing people with COPD that make it exceedingly difficult to incorporate certain types of exercise in their day to day lives. One of these obstacles is the somewhat hostile atmosphere of most commercial gym settings, which for someone with COPD may not be ideal. Since the commercial gym setting is not appealing to some folks with health challenges, most of these folks just go without. Without access to proper strength training tools, their health declines and that is unacceptable. To address this, the case was made for having a home gym, especially if what you are seeking is quality workouts at your own pace. This column will help you devise a strategy for setting up a home gym, and will be broken into several mini-columns.

In this columns we will examine:

1. What sort of training options you have.
2. The costs of these options
3. What sort of training options are best for you.
4. What to look for and where to shop.

What sort of training options you have.

If you decide to build a home gym, you must first decide if all you want is a stretching room or if you really want a strength training room.

If all you have is a tiny room/space to use for your fitness needs, understand that you can get great workouts with just a jump rope and your body and a floor. You can focus your efforts on building stamina and tone with simple movements like pushups, situps, free-standing knee bends, and some targeted rope-jumping. Herschel Walker (of NFL fame) built world class levels of fitness using these very exercises. But eventually, I believe the best way to get a strong body is to make it STRONG, and the only way to do that is through progressive resistance strength training. So, if you want to go this direction, and you are still looking at space as an issue, what then? No problem. Your home gym can consist of several types of professional level strength tools that take up little or no space at all and are ideally suited for people with COPD.

Perhaps the most inexpensive way, not to mention space-efficient and safe, is professional grade rubber bands. Band training is gaining a LOT of attention in strength training circles because they actually build hard muscle, add muscle tone, strength, speed, flexibility, you name it. But the sorts of bands/cables I am referring to will not be found at your local Dicks Sporting Goods store. Have a look at these examples of professional grade strength training bands and cables:

• EliteFTS Bands
• Fabled Cables

I use these, and I am building Herculean levels of strength and fitness with them. Also, these two sites above have books on how to use bands and cables.

Now mind you, band training is not the only way to go, but it is a great tool to use either on its own or in conjunction with more traditional strength training protocols. It is also extremely affordable. You can get all the bands and/or cables you need for less than $200.00. In fact, if you are just starting out you should be able to get by with an investment of under $100.00 This sort of training is not too hard on the lungs at first, but you can improvise and increase the level of intensity and difficulty as your fitness levels improve.

Ok, so band training is a great way to go, but what if you have a budget, and the space, that allows you to make a more diversified commitment?.....

Check out my second installment to find out what direction you can go in.

To learn more about Strength Training For The Management of Cystic Fibrosis and other forms of CPOD, click here

 

About Exercise and COPD Part 3c - Building The Home Gym

In the last column of this series on building a home gym, I talked about some strategies you can use to outfit your own home with some professional grade strength tools that can help you reach you fitness goals. We discussed calesthenics, bands and cables, Ironmaster etc.

At the end of my last column, we came to the realization that some people might be looking to raise the bar a bit in terms of their home gym. Maybe they really want to build a home gym that is even better than their commercial gym up the street. In reality, this is much easy than you would think, but you are looking at spending $2000.00 and up. However, when it comes to spending that sort of cash, you really need to do your homework, or find someone who has already gone down that road. Lucky for you, I have been down that road several times.

Contrary to popular belief, one does not need row after row of selectorized weight machines in order to have a world class strength training room in their own home. Sure, it would be nice, but even if you had the money and the space, I see no need in going that direction. Clearly, you do need some specifically targeted tools that allow you to perform a myriad of exercises safely and I am going to offer some great suggestions that can give you a lifetime of lifting joy (whether you are a man or a woman).

The first thing I would like to strongly recommend is that you consider buying a Power Rack.

Next, permit me to list a few links to some very good companies that specialize in, among other things, world class power racks:

• Power-Lift
• EliteFTS
• Ironmind

Now I list these three companies in no order of importance, nor could I if I were asked to. The reason for that is because all three are superb, and each company has a distinct set of advantages and applications. For now, I would suggest you check out each site thoroughly. Comb through the pages of their stores and familiarize yourself with the tools they sell.

Power-Lift is world reknown for outfitting some of the most advanced strength training facilities in the world. Countless professional sports teams, colleges and even some high schools with deep pockets have used Power-Lift as their sole source for supplying their inventory needs. I know the people at Power-Lift and they are good people who offer tremendous customer support. And their power racks are simply unequalled.

The University of Virginia chose Power-Lift when outfitting the Frank McCue Center and I got the grand tour several weeks ago. I had the chance to get a hands on feel for Power-Lift tools and let me just say they are tops. Two other things that Power-Lift carries are Eusaka Barbell sets and lifting platforms. If you would like to save some time, download the official Power-Lift PDF catalog.

EliteFTS is another favorite of mine. I like EliteFTS because of the variety of tools they offer. You won't just find weightlifting equipment there, but you will find belts, harnesses, grip tools and more at EliteFTS. In addition to designing and manufacturing their own tools, such as their power racks, EliteFTS is a dealer for several world class outfits (such as the Westside Barbell line of products).

As you browse their store, you will notice that EliteFTS sells a huge variety of things so take your time.

Finally, there is Ironmind. What can I say about Ironmind. Well, not enough, let's put it that way. My own home gym, such as it is, has a lot of Ironmind equipment in it. I have enjoyed it for years and I can confidently say that Ironmind is one of the most innovative strength training companies in the world. Their equipment is unique in many ways, but one feature I really like is that almost all of their tools can be stored in a small space no bigger than a large billiard table.

Ironmind makes nearly all of their equipment, and their equipment is used by both men and women, some of whom are literally the strongest people on planet earth. I personally use their Vulcan Racks, Pillars of Power Safety Racks, Dipping Racks, Squat Belt, Neck Strap, Olympic Husky Handle Dumbbells and a few other items such as their grippers. Their tools are tough as hell and will last a lifetime, no matter how much abuse you throw at them. In addition, I think the prices are a bit easier to swallow. Check them out.

Assuming you have visited the above sites, you are no doubt beginning to get a feel for what a power rack/station is and does. Make no mistake about it, the power racks offered by the above companies are not the sort you will find at your local sporting goods store. These are professional grade tools. They will not buckle, bend or break. Your house could literally fall down around these racks and the racks would the only thing left standing. If you choose to go this route, do not make the mistake of going the cheap path to existence. You get what you pay for.

Am I recommending tools that are stronger and safer than you will ever need them to be? Yep. Is that the right thing to do? Yep. I am ever going to suggest something that isn't overkill? Nope. Especially when it comes to your safety. I will always suggest tools that are the strongest tools money can buy. Period. If you want to get some inexpensive, flimsy bench/rack combo located next to the fishing/hunting department at your local sports store, then that is your choice. But I have a responsibility to make sure that I recommend they very best tools available, made by the best and most respected strength companies in the world. The companies listed above use the strongest, thickest steel and the best welds you will find anywhere resulting in sturdy, reliably stout racks and benches. You deserve no less than that.

OK, that about wraps it up for our home gym series. Our next series of columns will deal with strength training programs using some of the home gym concepts we have talked about this past week.

Good Bless

tMan; webmeister - TPO

To learn more about Strength Training For The Management of Cystic Fibrosis and other forms of CPOD, click here.

How Do I Store Home Gyms If I Don't Have A Basement?

Not everyone has a basement or a garage to store his or her home gyms. Even when they do, storing home gyms in these areas may not be the most convenient, especially in colder weather. Even if you do have these spaces in your house, it doesn't necessarily mean that you will have the space available to do so.

Also, what about those who do not have this space for their home gyms? Well there are other options for storing home gyms and we will take a look at some of these.

One of the best options for storing home gyms, are those that are able to fold up and be stored in small areas. There are home gyms that are out there that can easily fold up and even be taken with you on vacation. These usually fit under beds, in closets and any other small space that is convenient for you. This also ensures that you can workout inside where it is warm, even in colder weather. By being able to take this type of home gym with you on vacation as well, you will not have to worry about missing your workout when you are away.

Another option for storing home gyms is an extra room you may have in your house. Sometimes if you have an extra bedroom, that you don't use that often or at all, you can use it. This room should be set up as a workout room if possible. If you need the room as a guest room from time to time, you should try to find equipment that is easily stored in the closet. That way you can tuck the equipment away in the closet while the guests are staying there.

Finding some of the options that allow storing home gyms by folding them up will take some time and research. Once you find a few that you are interested in you should take measurements. This will allow you to figure out if the options you are considering will fit in the space you are thinking about using. This means taking measurements of the space you are planning on using, as well as measurements of the equipment. This may narrow your options and help you better decide from there.

As you can see, storing home gyms is something that can be done in a few different ways. Choosing the best option for you really depends on the type of space you have to work with. But knowing that you have so many options to choose from can help you consider which one is the best for you.

Check out http://www.homegymsreview.com/ for more articles on golds gym home fitness and home gym equipment for sale.

Build Your Own Home Gym

Fitness doesn't have to be expensive. Most people think of home gyms as elaborate affairs made of heavy metal frames or sleek high impact plastic ones, with weights, pulleys, and other gadgets sticking out of them.

While these home gym systems are effective, you don't necessarily need them to stay in shape. You can actually build your own gym equipment, using simple exercise gear that will allow you to work out without placing a large dent in your wallet.

The first and simplest piece of equipment you can use is a clean soft floor mat. Make sure it's wide enough to accommodate your body lying on the floor full length, and thick enough to cushion your body from the hard wood or concrete of the floor. Don't make it too thick or soft, as this will throw your balance off when it "yields" under your body weight.

Rubber mats work best for this purpose. This mat can be used for sit-ups and crunches, as well as simple calisthenics like jumping jacks and running in place. Free standing squats on the mat held build up leg strength considerably, too. Even before you start building your own gym equipment, using a simple mat that you can pick up at any department store can already go a long way.

Another exercise tool you can make when building your own gym equipment is push up bars. These are simple and easy. Find a pair of U shaped metal bars, with the bottom of the U fitting your hand's grips comfortably. The ends of the U are then fastened to either wooden blocks or metal sheets (your choice) that will let you place them on the floor. You can wrap the "grip" portion of the bars in foam or heavy tape to make your grip better.

Studies have shown that push ups done when the hands are in a straight fist position are better for the wrists than placing your palms on the floor. These simple handle-bars allow you to do push ups correctly, and from any of the various positions that push ups are done from to hit various pectoral muscle groups.

Another piece of gym equipment that's easy to build is a chin up bar. I highly discourage the classic approach some people take of mounting these on a door frame, as this can lead to accidents when people walk in on you. Instead, get a long comfortable bar and mount it one and a half to two feet from a wall. Use mounting and support brackets to ensure that it can take your weight. Set the bar's height at just high enough for you to reach on tiptoes. This height is ideal because you can get enough ground clearance by simply flexing your legs slightly when you do chin ups.

The reason the bar should be set so far from the wall is so you can do pull ups both facing towards and away from the wall. Also, if you want to, make the bar long enough so that you can use a "wide" grip, with your hands positioned past your shoulder's width. This allows you to target your lats when you work out.

Another variation of the above gym equipment you can build is a device used for tricep extensions and rowing exercises. This is a simple metal bar set horizintally at a certain height. To determine the height of the bar when building this piece of gym equipment, lie down on the floor and extend your arms straight up. This is the height the bar should be at. Set support bracket legs at the ends of the bar so it retains it's height. Make two sets of these bars, one for your arms to grip, the other is a place where you put your feet on.

Two exercises can be done with this set. One, you can lie on the floor underneath it and "row", pulling yourself up in a reverse push-up. For the other, you place your feet on the other set of bars, and position the "arm" bar right behind you. The position looks akin to sitting on the edge of a chair with your feet up on a table, and your hands directly behind you gripping the bar. You basically raise and lower your body using your arms. This works out your triceps and gives them a great deal of definition.

The above ideas are just a few examples of how with a little imagination and work, you can build your own gym equipment easily. It helps if you actually have prior experience in a real gym working with free weights and other exercise machines, as you will know which exercises target certain muscle groups.

However, if you want to build your own gym equipment and have no prior experience in working out, I highly recommend going to a real gym and getting some exposure first before you get too creative, as any mistakes when building your own gym equipment may actually lead to personal injury.

For more information now go to: http://www.yourownhomegym.com/Build-Your-Own-Gym-Equipment.html, http://www.myalpha-power.com or http://www.aperfectharmony.com

Designing Your Own Home Gym for Fitness and Health

Who says you need to go out and sign up for a gym membership to get fit? With the current array of fitness equipment specially designed for home gym use, there is really no excuse not to get up and get healthy. Besides, if you're thinking about putting up a home gym, you probably are determined to follow a regular fitness regimen. But how do you start designing your fitness gym at home?

Here are a few tips on designing a home fitness gym to meet your special needs and goals:

Budget

More than anything, your budget is what will define the look, size and quality of your home fitness equipment. Shop around for something you like or the kind of gym equipment that will suit the fitness regimen you intend to follow. Don't buy a stair stepper if a treadmill is all you need.

While you're at it, shop for quality home gym equipment. Remember that where quality is concerned, price figures a lot in the equation. Most of the best home gym equipment are priced steeply because they offer top quality. Oftentimes, what you get is what you pay for, so make sure you don't give in to impulse buying. Top quality gym equipment will last for years so don't expect the same reliability with cheap gym sets.

Put your money where your need is. Don't buy home fitness equipment that costs $2000 if a $200 set will do. With so many home gym equipment choices available, you're sure to find one that will fit your fitness goals and budget perfectly.

Usage

Consider how many people in your home will be using your fitness equipment. If you're the only one, then you have free rein in terms of size, style and features that fit your body type and fitness program. If there are other people in the household who will be using your home gym equipment, consider programming features and adequate size that can accommodate different users with different fitness goals.

Location

If you're serious about getting fit, then you need to make room for your home gym equipment. Depending on the size of the fitness equipment you're bringing in, make sure there's enough room for you to move while doing your exercises. A spare room in the house, your family den, even your basement should have enough space. Just make sure it's an area of the house that is conducive to exercise.

Be inspired

A blank wall may not be much of a motivation when you're performing your fitness regimen. Design a room that makes you feel energized. Paint the walls if you can, change the wallpaper or simply hang out a big mirror so you can watch your progress.

Try to keep stuff away from the room that distracts you from your fitness routine. If TV makes you feel lazy, don't put it in the same room. On the other hand, if it helps keep you moving while you're being entertained, then integrate it into your home gym design.

Clone a gym

If you've been to a fitness gym before, you might have noticed certain elements and arrangements that you liked. If you find a certain design attractive or effective, you can take a few things from that and integrate it into your home gym. It could be as simple as gym equipment arrangement or design elements in the gym itself.

Take note of the placement of the gym equipment and see why it's effective in terms of the continuance in a fitness regimen. Observe how spaces between equipment are used and how color inspires gym users to work harder. Making your home gym feel like a professional gym can do wonders in motivating you to exercise.

Designing your home gym

To maximize the space in your home, design a floor plan. This lets you budget your space and provide the best placement for your home gym equipment. Place the taller and bulkier gym equipment next to the walls and arrange smaller equipment around it or near the middle of the room.

When it comes to space allocation for your home gym, here are some approximate room space assignments you might need for different fitness equipment:

Stationary bicycle ? 10 sq. ft.
Treadmill ? 30 sq. ft.
Rowing machine ? 20 to 25 sq. ft.
Ski machine ? at least 20 sq. ft.
Stair climbers ? at least 10 sq. ft.
Single-station gym equipment ? at least 30 sq. ft.
Multi-station gym equipment ? at least 50 sq. ft.

A home gym offers a lot of things that health clubs cannot ? privacy, convenience and a comfortable place that has less distractions. When designing a home gym for your fitness routine, always keep in mind your needs and goals. If your home gym can meet these requirements, you'll always look forward to an inspiring workout and live a healthier life.

For more information now go to:
http://www.yourownhomegym.com/Designing-Fitness-Gym-Home.html
http://www.myalpha-power.com
http://www.aperfectharmony.com

Design Your Own Home Gym

Getting into shape doesn't mean you have to go to a gym weekly and work out. You can actually get plenty of exercise at home, by allocating a room or other part of your house as an exercise area, and either building or purchasing appropriate equipment for your exercise. Here are a few things you should keep in mind when designing your home gym.

Room Placement - wherever the space is that you're allocating as an exercise room, keep in mind that the placement is very important when you design your home gym. Pick a part of the house where you can generally create a ruckus without bothering anyone, for one thing. For another thing, pick spot near a bathroom, as you will most likely want to hit the shower to cool off after a workout. Lastly, make sure that the room has plenty of ventilation, you'll need the fresh air.

Floor Space and Ceiling Clearance - before going out to buy or build any equipment when designing your home gym, know the dimensions of the room. This doesn't simply mean the floor area; also consider how high the ceiling is, to make sure that you don't buy anything that won't fit. Also consider the shape of the room, if it is square, rectangular, built long and narrow, etc. as you can pick equipment that will let you maximize the space you've got to work with.

Purpose of the Exercise - you should know what you're trying to achieve with your exercise when you design your home gym. For example, are you going to be doing mostly cardiovascular workouts that will require mats and/or treadmills? Or maybe you're just out to lose weight. Or if you're serious about building muscle mass, consider free weights and home gym machines. Knowing what you're really after will let you concentrate on what equipment to buy first; you can expand into other types of exercise later.

Muscle Groups you want to Hit - similar to knowing what type of exercise you're after, you should also take into account which muscle groups you need to build up first when you consider your home gym design. Generally, the divisions are arms, shoulders, chest, back, waist, and legs. If you want to go holistic and work out all groups, then you'll probably need to pick up a jungle gym. If, on the other hand, you have a few "trouble" spots that you want to work on extensively first like losing a beer gut, you can narrow down your choices when buying stuff.

Support Gear - Don't forget that the gym should have some additional things aside from exercise machines. A poorly designed home gym is one with nothing but exercise equipment. A good, safe one has an adequate water supply for when you get thirsty (or a cooler with Gatorade), windows for ventilation, mirrors on the walls so you can observe yourself through the motions to ensure you're doing your exercise right, a locker for holding clothes and stuff, and a first aid cabinet for emergencies. Oh, and a good sound system in case you're the kind who likes to listen to tunes to get the adrenalin going.

Other Specific Purposes - aside from free weights, treadmills, and the usual work out equipment, if you're into other sports you may want to add their touches if possible when designing your home gym. Boxers and martial artists will usually add a punching bag or even, if there's room, a large mat area for sparring. Fencers will have ring loops hanging from strings to practice thrust targeting. Stuff like this will allow you to use your work out room to it's maximum potential.

Aesthetics or Functionality - lastly, when designing your home gym don't go overboard and try to make it look "cutting edge". There are some people who get into designing a home gym so much that they forget the room's original purpose, which is to allow them to exercise. There's no point to having a home gym stuffed to the armpits with the latest, flashiest exercise equipment, wall to wall mirrors, a floor mat that looks cool, and a paint job in "power" colors, if you don't have a body that does the room justice. I'd rather look good and have a lousy looking home gym than the opposite.

For more information now go to: http://www.yourownhomegym.com/Design-Your-Home-Gym.html, http://www.myalpha-power.com or http://www.aperfectharmony.com

Various Dimensions for Home Gym Design

Designing a home gym is more than simply trying to think of what equipment you'll want to get. You have to consider the size of the room, its placement in the house, and then work your equipment around these parameters. Knowing the room dimensions of your home gym gives you a more accurate assessment of what you can do with it. Here are a few of the common dimensions of home gyms based on the types of rooms people usually convert into an exercise room, and some ideas for what you can do with them.

Primary Considerations - most people will at least take into account the floor space available when determining the room dimensions for their home gyms. However, you also have to take into account three other factors that help determine the room's usability: One, consider the ceiling clearance. If you get equipment that's too tall for your room, you're in trouble. Two, consider the entry way of the room. Buying a piece of equipment that won't even fit through the door of your gym room is a quick way to guarantee a headache. Three, look at the general shape of the room. This is generally where it gets tricky, and the entries below deal with some of the more difficult types encountered aside from the "average" room.

Small Rooms - generally small, apartment room sized places, these are square in size and can be walked across in a few quick paces. At best you'll be able to fit ONE jungle gym unit here, given the room dimensions of this type of home gym, though for the sake of convenience it's actually a better idea to stick to light, hand carryable equipment like push up bars, sit up mats, and dumbells. Avoid barbells which might require large weight racks, as this will take up too much space and can cause injury if the rack spills, as the small size of the room almost guarantees the heavy plates will fall on someone...

Expansive Rooms - this is not a problem. These are large square or rectangular rooms with lots of space. Allocating equipment based on the room dimensions of this type of home gym is pretty easy. Place your equipment in areas by segments. For example, a treadmill in one corner, a jungle gym in another, a punching bag in a third, etc. I'd recommend leaving the center of the room open with some mats for calisthenics and other exercises, and having one wall free of equipment and housing full length mirrors.

Basement Gyms - these gyms are converted from basements, and the dimensions of this type of home gym are usually "large" types too. However, two considerations must be taken regarding dimensions of basement rooms. One is that their entry points are marked by stairs. Avoid placing equipment near the stairs, as gym gear is often marked by the presence of a lot of heavy metal. People tripping down the stairs will suffer serious injury if they land on a barbell weight rack, for example. The second consideration is ventilation. Basements are underground, so there won't be any windows. Use artificial air cyclers like an AC or basement dehumidifier with air temperature settings to keep air cycling fresh in the room.

Hallway Type Gyms - some people use portions of their house more akin to long, narrow hallways than actual rooms. The dimensions of this type of gym room are usually just wide enough for two people to walk comfortably abreast, and are long enough for a brief sprint. If this is your type of room, any sort of weights training equipment is off the list. Matting the room and using it for calisthenic exercises is the best idea, and if the length of the room is enough, you can practise brief sprints across it. For martial artists and fencers, this is an ideal specialized type of sparring room where lunging and retreating sparring can be practised exclusively as both fighters will be unable to use flanking and sidestepping techniques.

Odd Shaped Rooms - if your room dimensions for your planned home gym are irregular, with nooks and crannies where closets used to be and such, then plan your gym according to the average floor space of the main area itself. The smaller cubbyholes can be used for storing equipment like barbell racks, lockers for clothing, wate coolers, and the like, but restrict your plans for the main gym equipment to the floor and ceiling space of the main center of the room.

Garage Gyms - lastly, some people use their garage as a home gym. The dimensions of this type may seem roomy at first, but you have to consider that the garage will have other things occupying it, not the least of which will be the family car and any home improvement type work benches and their corresponding power tool racks. Take all of the extra items that will be in the garage into account before picking up any equipment. After all, you really don't want to be pumping iron less than 5 feet away from your sedan...

For more information now go to: http://www.yourownhomegym.com/Room-Dimensions-Home-Gym.html, http://www.myalpha-power.com or http://www.aperfectharmony.com

Bowflex Home Gyms - Just Like In The Commercials?

Bowflex is a brand of patented home gyms produced by Nautilus Fitness. You've no doubt probably seen the late night infomercials promoting Bowflex and how easy it is to get in fantastic shape using them. Is it really possible to get a rock hard physique using a Bowflex for only 20 minutes 3 times a week? The answer may surprise you.

I'm a firm believer in weight training or more precisely resistance training and the many benefits it provides to people of both genders and of all age groups. If you're serious about adding resistance training to your exercise regimen and you don't have the time or inclination to fight the evening crowds at your local gym or health club, then a home gym from Bowflex may be just the ticket.

If you fall into this category then you have four basic options:

1. Purchase a set of dumbbells

2. Purchase a free weight set along with a bench or two.

3. Purchase a standard home gym

4. Purchase a Bowflex home gym

A set of dumbbells is great to get you started, but you'll be limited to the types of exercises you can perform especially for your legs. You'll also quickly need additional resistance, which a basic dumbbell set won't provide.

A full set of free weights increases the number of exercises available to you, but without machines such as a lat pulldown and leg extension, you'll still be limited in the exercises you can perform.

A standard home gym is sort of the best of both worlds -- it has a wide variety of exercise options, but a decent sized one is extremely heavy and takes up a lot of space. So make sure you have an entire room or a section of your basement carved out for it. A home gym may also still have some limitations on exercise options especially for your legs. For example, many home gyms don't have a squat station, which is one of the best exercises you can do for your quads.

The other thing to be aware of with a home gym is that it exercises your muscles in isolation. Whereas, free weights call into play additional supporting muscles to stabilize the primary muscles during the exercise. This provides a more efficient workout and also keeps your muscles more flexible. There certainly is a time and place for isolation movements, but not on a consistent basis and when training heavy.

The design of Bowflex home gyms closely simulates the range of motion achieved from using free weights. Instead of using the force of gravity on iron plates, the resistance in a Bowflex gym is produced by the force produced by a cable and pulley system pulling against resistance bars. The bars act like springs that have stored potential energy, which in turn provide the resistance. This really is an ingenious design in that it allows for the positioning of your body without regard to gravity. This allows the Bowflex to be as compact as possible. For example, you can perform a bench press while seated on a Bowlfex instead of spread out along a weight bench.

The use of resistance bars also greatly reduces the overall weight of the gym itself. Forget about ever moving a home gym once it's set up in your basement. A Bowflex home gym is much easier to move and transport if the need should ever arise.

Another neat feature of a Bowflex is that you can quickly change the resistance without having to get up and pull plates on and off a bar like with free weights. This makes advanced training techniques such as pyramids and drop-sets extremely easy. It's also a huge time saver. The range of exercises you can perform on a Bowflex is staggering. The Bowflex Xtreme2 for example lets you perform over 70 exercises including squats, which is hard to find on a typical home gym. With a total resistance of over 400lbs, a Bowflex home gym will provide enough challenge for the vast majority of people.

As for getting a rock hard physique performing only 20-minute workouts on a Bowflex, I think you can go pretty far with an abbreviated workout like this on a Bowflex just 3 times a week. If you're just starting out, I would focus on the compound movements such as bench press, rows, shoulder press, biceps curl, triceps press, dead lift, and squats. Do a warm up set or two and then perform 2-3 sets of each exercise.

Perform this workout on the Bowflex 3 times a week on alternate days. Also be sure to fit in some cardio work such as an elliptical trainer or treadmill workout on your off days and also be sure to firm up your diet. Do this and you'll definitely see some great results in short order.

Rich Rojas covers the fitness equipment industry and elliptical trainers in particular. Read more about Bowflex Home Gyms and articles on health and fitness at http://www.ellipticalhome.com

Advantages of Owning Home Gym Equipment

Now is a good season for beginning weight lifters to check out the latest gym exercise equipment. One advantage in using the gym exercise equipment at a local gym is the selection of sophisticated models that will help you get in shape. Commercial gym exercise equipment are sometimes more complicated to use, however, the outcome after using the machine tends to show fantastic results after a few weeks. At a local gym you also have access to personal trainers. They are available to help you put together a program to achieve that trim body you always wanted.

Home exercise equipment is a little more easy to use and small enough that you can store it in your closet after a good work out. The major factor with home exercise equipment is convenience. This is if you are especially shy and do not want to work out with others watching your every move. Home exercise equipment can be as attractive as the local gym's, but have a heavy price tag.

First time exercise enthusiasts can purchase home exercise equipment without many problems. Down the road when they have gained more knowledge and a greater body, they can upgrade to more sophisticated machined. It will take a chunk of change out of their pockets, but it will be worth every last penny.

People who choose to buy their own exercise equipment must remember to set up a program and maintain small goals. Over time these goals will be achieved and they will be one step closer to their desired physique.

Donald Mckenzie Jr offers important daily health news and information.Click here to visit the health blog.

Choosing the Best Home Gym Fitness Equipment

If fitness is not included in your New Year's resolution list, then write it down now, no matter the time of the year. Whatever age or fitness level you are, living a healthier life should be a top priority and what better way to do that than to start a fitness routine right in your own gym at home?

The choice for the best home fitness gym routine is highly subjective. That means, out of the hundreds of fitness routines available for you to use, you'll need to sift through the different offerings and decide which is best for your own particular fitness requirement, interest and physical ability. To find out what the best home fitness gym routine is for you, here are some tips:

Basic home gym equipment
If you already have a set of home gym equipment, you probably chose it based on your fitness goals. But if you don't have any, then it's time to shop. If you're looking for the best home gym equipment with which to start your fitness routine in the simplest, most basic way, start with some of the most popular ? the treadmill, the stationary bike, the stair climber and the rowing machine.

The treadmill has been a top favorite for many years now because it simulates three of the best exercises in the world: running, jogging and walking. If you're buying a treadmill, look for an excellent system for shock absorption that's easy on the knees and ankles. This will assure you of safe exercise even while you burn calories.

When it comes to affordability, exercise bikes are the best and you can choose either the upright or the recumbent model. It mimics the motions involved during an outdoor bicycle ride without the distractions of traffic, dirt or mud. An exercise bike doesn't take up a lot of space and can be programmed to provide sufficient resistance for a great workout.

The stair climber is another excellent choice for cardio. By simulating stepping motions, it provides an aerobic workout that is best for increasing heart rate and for toning the lower body. The basic stair climber targets the glutes, thighs, calves and hip muscles. For a total workout, you can also try a stair climber that comes with tools for upper arm exercise. This system lets you exercise both the upper and lower parts of the body.

The rowing machine may not be the most popular, but many people do miss out on its benefits. For one, it provides the best total body workout that targets both the upper and lower body. By providing resistance for the arms, it works out the muscles in that area including the chest and back. The legs and thighs are also involved in the motions and for burning calories, the rowing machine is tops.

Building muscles
Cardiovascular workouts are great for increasing stamina, trimming body fat and toning muscles, but if you want definition, you probably need the help of the bigger, meaner gym equipment. These systems are specially designed for strength training and muscle building.

A complete home gym system will usually include a range of features from the basic to the fully customizable. Aside from the basic resistance station, you will have the advantage of having a free weight system to use anytime of the day. A home gym system's weights can be customized to meet a user's specific needs.

It will include a bench which can either be flat or inclined and several stations where the weights and barbells are located. If you're a beginner, you might need some assistance because this home gym system will require a lot of loading and changing weight plates. It will require a lot of work, but for the best home gym fitness, a home gym system has a lot of advantages that basic gym equipment don't have.

Buying the best home gym fitness system
If you're out shopping for a home gym system, look for one that has a 200-lb. weight stack. It may seem a lot, but remember it's fully customizable. Besides, you probably won't start a fitness routine with the 200 pounds weight stack immediately. You can also opt to add more weights as you progress later on.

If you're looking for the best home gym fitness system, don't be afraid to try it to see if every station, every moving part functions as it's supposed to. Look for steadiness and smoothness in the moving parts. Check if the system is made with heavy steel, look for a sturdy frame and steel cables. The padding on the seat and head rests should provide adequate support and pulleys should be made with nylon-coated fiberglass pulleys.

What to expect
The best home gym fitness system should offer quality that is directly proportional to its price tag. You should essentially be getting what you paid for, so you need to know what features to check. With regular use and maintenance, the best home gym fitness system should last you many years, so make sure your choice is the best.

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How Do I Choose Home Gym Fitness Equipment?

It certainly can be very overwhelming trying to decide which piece of fitness equipment you should purchase for your home gym. I mean there are thousand of different abdominal machines and midline miracle concoctions. To top that off there are just as many other machines that focus on other parts of the body. There really is a machine for every part of the body. I mean if you look hard enough you can find some type of exercise apparatus to focus on your fingers, wrist, forearms, calf's, neck, etc.

For women the most popular machines are the ones that will deliver a miracle vanity cure. All women want nice tight and trim butts, not those flabby and flat glutes. Women also want to tone their arms, so of course there are arm machines out there.

Did you know that if you turn on your TV late at night you will stumble across at least 10 channels that are advertising. So with all of these machines it must be a real hard task trying to narrow your decision down and finally purchasing what it will take to bring your fitness dreams into a physical reality.

It will all depend on how much time, money, and space you have. You must consider these variables when buying your dream machine.

Personally I would rather use free weights and leave my fitness room open for movement type games and exercises. But for the average person who just wants to tone up and burn a few calories, a universal machine will do justice.

What to take home from all of this:

 

If you are considering buying home exercise equipment you must do your research of what will fit into your budget. You must plan out how much time you will have to execute each workout. You must also measure how much room you have to place your brand new fitness equipment. If you would like even more help choosing what to buy for your new home gym simply go to http://www.myphiladelphiafitnessexpert.com/4

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Author: Matt Shuebrook, CPT of Christian Health and Fitness Download Your Free Copy of The Christian's Guide to Maximal Weight Loss sample ebook at http://www.ChristianHealthandFitness.com

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