Building a small home gym, what is your must haves

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8/9/11 12:51 P

Hand weights (5 - 8 pounds is what I have for now), a stability ball, an aerobic step, and a treadmill - these are my must-haves, and the items I use every week. A TV to keep you entertained on the treadmill can't hurt either, as I'll admit treadmill workouts can get boring...

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8/9/11 12:14 P

A calendar to schedule your workouts and hold yourself accountable!

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8/9/11 12:05 P

I have an elliptical. But my Must haves are hand weights and resistance bands and music to keep you pumped up

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8/9/11 12:03 P

I can't speak for other people but, for my home gym, I have a exercise ball, a step up a few free weights ranging from 2-8 lbs., resistance bands and workout DVDs. I find that what I have in my home gym has helped on days I couldn't get to my local Y.

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8/9/11 11:50 A

Because we don't have a whole room to devote, we have an end table that is also a trunk and in it I keep exercise bands, free weights, yoga mats. We simply flip up the coffee table and bam, the 15 x 15 living room is a gym. I can not WAIT till I have a permanent space and can get a set of adjustable free weights.

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8/9/11 11:45 A

We have:
- weight bench
- 2 stability balls (different sizes)
- adjustable dumbells
- medicine ball
- fan
- tv
- radio
- resistance bands
- chin-up bar
- perfect pushup things (they're these fancy things - google them if you don't know what they are - the hubs loves them!)
- perfect situp
- spin bike

I'd LOVE to get an elliptical machine but we don't really have the room and we know we're not in our "forever house" so we're waiting on that. Also we tend to do cardio outside if we're not at the gym so we didn't want to use up a ton of space for that.

Good luck and have fun!


Edited by: JSHAPS7 at: 8/9/2011 (11:46)

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8/9/11 11:33 A

Exercise ball

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8/9/11 11:28 A

hand weights

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8/9/11 11:15 A

flex bands and hand weights

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8/9/11 10:04 A

The below suggestions are great - but don't forget a mirror - wall size if possible - so you can make sure your posture is correct when lifting weights and doing any exercise!

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8/9/11 9:58 A

Resistance bands,weights mat and videos......for me

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8/9/11 9:52 A

A PLAN!!!!!!

I would be very careful in planning your home gym. The cost can really add up and it would be a shame to jump into anything without being sure that what you purchase will really fit your workout lifestyle.

If you can afford and have space for a piece of cardio equipment (bike, elipitcal, treadmill), then consider one of them to start. I would suggest that you either do a trial membership at a gym or spend ample time in the store trying each of them to see what feels best for you. Some people like the treadmill over the eliptical and the bike over the treadmill, etc. Once you buy it you own it and it won't do you a bit of good if you don't like it. Once you know which type you like, then try several different models. Get one that has what you need and feels comfortable for you. I would start with only one machine too many at once could be over-kill. This will be your largest piece of equipment so make a scale layout of the room. Plan where you will place your tv and make sure you allow space in view of the tv to do floor exercises. Now you can shop for the big piece because you will know what amount of space you have clear and how large of a piece of equipment you can purchase.

A mirror is great to ensure that you are using proper form. It doesn't have to be large, but depending on the layout of the room and what equipment you end up with it may or may not be useful. If you have to place it in a location where you can't work out in front of it with your weights, etc. then it really isn't worth the investment.

A small shelving unit will help to keep things organized and to maximize the space - look for ones that can be on the floor for heavier things like dumbells, and ones that can mount on the wall to save valuable work-out space for lighter things like jump ropes, towels, dvds, etc.

A step, a jump rope, and a dvd player/ cable can all be great forms of cardio to switch up when you aren't on the big piece, and they are less expensive and easier to store than more big machines.

If you invest in putting the tv in the room, I would invest in cable for it - there are great on demand type of workouts available to keep it fresh. I would also consider a game consol such as wii. If you purchase the wii and the wii fit you will get dual functionality. I) you will have access to other forms of work-outs 2) the wii fit provides a scale and tracking/workout scheduling program. If you really don't see yourself using this type of equipment don't spend the money just to have it, buy a scale and a few dvds.

Good ventilation, good lighting, and a fan either ceiling (if you have the height to have one and still work out) or a good smaller one that you can move around the room with you to make sure that you always have the air hitting you.


Go for pieces that are versitile to start with and then build as you develop a workout style. Resistance bands are good because they are inexpensive, take up little space and can be used for a lot.

Adjustible dumbbells can be a good investment if you have someone else that will be sharing the space or to keep up with you as you get stronger.

Posts: 28
8/9/11 9:20 A

Elliptical
TV and DVD player with a variety of workout DVD's
Swiss Ball
Free weights and bands
floor mat
treadmill

I have all this in my workout room and it makes for alot of variety and keeps me motivated.

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8/9/11 9:20 A

I don't think anyone else mentioned this but include a mirror. A mirror can be invaluable for keeping an eye on your form when exercising on any machine or using any tool.

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8/9/11 9:16 A

Kettle Bells
Medicine Balls

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8/9/11 9:14 A

Core ball exercises.

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8/9/11 8:35 A

Resistance bands

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8/9/11 8:32 A

A treadmill, for sure!

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8/9/11 8:17 A

I have a treadmill, hand weights, resistance band, a mat and SP Coach Nicole's dvds! :)

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8/9/11 8:14 A

I have a stationary bike, a treadmill (only for days I can't walk), hand weights, tension thingy, and a jumprope. I'm thinking of an exercise ball.

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8/9/11 7:17 A

Bosu!!

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8/9/11 7:05 A

Keep it simple, weights and dvd's. I would like a balance ball, that is my next purchase. But I don't think you need much more than that. I know plenty of people that have big machines and equipment that they use to hang clothes on.

Posts: 21
8/9/11 6:38 A

Here are few things from my gym in the basement:

A Bosu!! Love it
A TV & DVD Player
DVDs + a membership to your local library, you can borrow all sorts of workout DVDs
Resistance Band
Matt
Medicine Ball
Ankle/Arm Weights
Wii Fit System
Scale + Tape Measure to track progress
Fitness Magazines - again go to your local library
A binder with a list of tried and true work outs- I have copies from trainers and my faves from magazines
A fan

Posts: 145
8/9/11 3:16 A

If you feel like you're soon going to run out a space I recommend a set of adjustable dumbbells. Bowflex sells them for about $350 but that's too steep for my budget. I bought a used pair of a less popular brand for about $50 and I love them. The ones I have adjust from 5 lbs all the way up to 25 lbs.

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8/9/11 3:05 A

medicine ball

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8/9/11 2:18 A

Describing my gym and gear just off the cuff, I will probably miss out some stuff, but here goes... first off I have a cement floor completely carpeted; no bent or squeaky floorboards for me.

In one corner I have a 1-person infrared sauna in which I spend 45 - 50 minutes after every exercise session. In another part I have my TV with DVD player and next to that my shelves of workout dvd's (about 4 dozen).

Other stuff: work bench, 1K, 2K, 3K and 4K free weights, work bench, ankle weights, 3 x resistance bands, skipping rope, ab machine, elliptical machine, leg blaster, rowing machine, exercise mats.

I love my daily workouts and sauna.

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8/4/11 12:13 P

Get a bench. As you get stronger you will want to use new exercises with your dumbbells and the bench is invaluable! Congrats on getting a home gym and good luck.

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8/4/11 11:54 A

Treadmill, dumb bells, stability ball, resistance bands, yoga mat, TV.

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8/3/11 10:51 P

Loved my home gym "until" I found out you can advance so much rendering it useless.. Just no room for a bar bell set with 20kgs weight plates and dumbbell rack up to 35kgs at home lol.. Even if I had a extra room for it.. The equipment size can get massive and be overkill..
Join the gym, avoid having equipment sit at home that gathers dust..
Also the pinch on my pocket keeps me mindful of using my membership when the will power and family crave time that room starts gathering dust.. If I am not at home, no kids to disturb me as the gym discourages people using phones in the workout area.. Doing the same old same old also gets boring..
There are more possiblities in a gym and they are forever changing equipment out for the newest on the market.. Exercise machines that break down can be a pain in the bum, getting fixed.. The gym services their equipment on a weekly basis it is bad for business to have machines with a out of order sign on them..

I also suffered a serious fall from one of those pull up bars that almost broke my back.. It took me 6 months to get over just trauma of hitting the floor, the doctor looked at my x-rays and said if I wasn't so strong I may have sat in a wheel chair today.. Huge caution about getting sucked into these devices.. 1 accident in 1000 sessions can change your life forever.. I walked away efter ½ hour in the x-ray department with a huge scare munch morfine pills for a week...
i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh54/Rena1965/
c6c9ae33.jpg

i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh54/Rena1965/
50e66e7e.jpg my youngest son also trains, he won't allow me to use any pull up device that is not solidly screwed into the foundations of the house with huge screws.. I can do pull ups using a weight belt, but don't dare at home on one of these!
sassysexyshapely.files.wordpress.com/2008/
06/pullup2008-06-29.jpg
or
these
www.ahbing.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/
img_7981.jpg
make sure anything of this type will hold your body weight and that were you screw so it up won't come down on top of you plus the bar sending you crashing to the floor....
twobargarage.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/0
5/alt.jpg

Edited by: REDSHOES2011 at: 8/3/2011 (23:05)

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8/3/11 5:42 P

fitness magazine...because they have good workout exercises in them.. dumbbells..treadmill

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8/3/11 3:53 P

A barbell and plates.
Kettlebells

With those items you can do hundreds of strength exercises.

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8/3/11 2:28 P

A jump rope! Burns a ton of calories and it's super cheap.

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8/3/11 10:55 A

First of all I would ONLY get the items you plan on using. However, that being said, free weights for me would be a must, along with a place to store them (as you progress, you will find that a shelf to put them on makes a huge difference space wise.)

I would get an Aerobics step, which I use as a weight bench as well as a step. I can do everything on it that I can on a weight bench.

If you could afford it, I would add a water cooler, maybe some paper cups or plastic ones that won't break if they get knocked off? I would add a cabinet to store towels and cleaning supplies. I sweat a lot when I work out, so for me being able to wipe the sweat off my face helps. Plus you could store the DVD's, Wii supplies and what have you in there. The cleaning stuff, maybe just a spray bottle of hydrogen peroxide, it's one of the cheapest disinfectants around. This way you can clean the equipment after you work out and save yourself some time later.

I would add something for cardio if you want, but for me the aerobics step works great. I also do yoga, so a yoga mat, the blocks and strap would be a must. Again, I would add a place to store all that stuff when I'm not using it, or else you run the risk of walking into your workout room and being so distracted by the stuff that it's hard to concentrate. Make sure there's enough room for both you and your husband to be in there at the same time, just in case.

And I would DEFINITELY look into some sort of MP3 player, just to be able to tune out whatever else may be going on.

Another thing I would be SURE to have in my workout room is room to grow. Make sure that if something else comes along you want to buy, you either have room for it or agree to give something else up to get it. Make sure you're using the stuff you buy, make it worth it! I envy you, I would LOVE to have a workout room in my home, but my stuff is scattered.

The last thing I would suggest is a table and chairs. Some place to sit down and either record your workout in a journal or log it into the computer. Do it when you do the workout, so you don't forget to log it. If you include it in the time you use to work out then you'll never forget to log it! (this is something I'm bad at... lol)

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8/3/11 10:31 A

If you have the money and space, a Concept 2 rowing machine. I absolutely love it. Free weights, an elliptical, a treadmill, and a personal trainer (okay, that's a dream :) ). TV. :)

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8/3/11 10:23 A

My little home gym consists of a heavy bag, yoga mat, four weights of resistance bands, adjustable dumbbells with plates, a standard bar and some plates, a high step, a bunch of DVDs, and a kettlebell!

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8/3/11 9:55 A

Must-haves:
FAN! TV, DVD (we just use a portable one so it doesn't take up much space & we didn't have to buy another standalone one), some sort of music device/speakers & lots of electrical outlets.
Here's what we have in ours.
Floor - combination of actual fitness type rubber matting & horse stall rubber mats from TSC (Way cheaper, but need to trim to fit square so you aren't tripping over uneven edges).
Free weights - 5 lbs to 75 lbs dumbells in 5 lb increments
Weight bench
Nordic Treadmill (has to be a good 10 years old now and still going strong) - I used to use it all the time, but now I run outside more. However, weather and kid coverage doesn't always allow for outdoor running.
Bike trainer - love that it can be easily moved and only costs $300-$400. Plus, you can use your own bike, so you know it's properly fitted for you. In the summer, we put this in storage most of the time since we ride outside
VersaClimber - if you have never used one, try it sometime. It's a serious full-body workout. www.versaclimber.com You've probably seen it in a gym, but never used it. LOVE LOVE LOVE my VC.
Medicine ball
Swiss ball
resistance bands
ankle weights (very rarely used)
We also have a bunch of DVDs, but the ones that get the most use are Billy Blanks Tae Bo bootcamp and Jillian's 30 Day Shred.
Our gym overlooks the kids' playroom so we can workout if needed while still keeping an eye on them. Of course, this also means that I have logged a lot of workout time while watching Sesame Street. LOL

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8/3/11 8:53 A

I have a stability ball, "leg magic", free weights, resistance bands, bowflex machine & elliptical.

We belonged to the gym and boy, do I miss the pool. We do, however, have a hot tub.

So, that's our "gym."

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8/3/11 4:14 A

I wish I had the space/budget for a home gym! Right now I'm in school so I have a free gym membership but it would be nice to work out at home sometimes.

If I had the money/space, I would get:

Treadmill- I prefer to run outside and live near a park but sometimes weather doesn't permit. I would get one that's higher end to handle lots of running and (*dream*) one w/ a TV so I can watch my favorite shows and work out at the same time!

Elliptical- nice to have alternative cardio to running

Spin bike- same reason as elliptical

Yoga mats- for stretching and floor workouts

Weights and a bench- nothing too fancy. Bench that can raise/lower and some dumbbells/bar.

Extras: TV for doing workout DVDs and mirror to look at form while lifting.

Clearly this would all cost a fortune but a girl can dream right?

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8/3/11 1:23 A

Treadmill for sure...I LOVE elipticals, that's a must have. Bosu ball, 10lb. medicine ball, 5lb. and 10lb. hand weights, exercise ball, bands!, chin up bar...there's probably more, but these are my favorites!

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8/2/11 10:34 P

We re-purposed our Wii as a Netflix streaming device in our home gym, and the Doctor Who series was a really great distraction this winter for those long aerobic workouts on my bike in the trainer.

Have fun creating your gym space!

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8/2/11 10:22 P

Free weights/dumbbells and an aerobics step with 2 sets of risers - I LOOOOVE mine because I use it for both cardio and doing things like chest press (I put my exercise mat on it and lay on it). It's a lot cheaper than a weight bench and you can easily put it away by standing it up against a wall or putting it under something.

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8/2/11 10:21 P

Great ideas,thank you. I have a flat screen to put on the wall, I will get a fan! and resistance bands. Keep the ideas coming!

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8/2/11 9:26 P

I agree with TV and DVD player. There are some GREAT home workouts on DVD. Also agree with a stability ball and resistance bands.

Carrie

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8/2/11 9:05 P

tv, because I use DVD's and air freshner:-)

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8/2/11 7:17 P

Free weights, stability ball, balance board, kettlebells, yoga mats. I also would include a fan as well as a TV with DVD player.

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8/2/11 7:12 P

a docking station for the mp3 or ipod. A fan as I sweat real hard. I also have a weight bench.

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8/2/11 7:04 P

I have a treadmill, stationary bike, adjustable dumbbells, an exercise ball, and some floor space, and thats more than I need, since I hardly ever use the bike. A tv is nice to have too.

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8/2/11 3:22 P

Resistance band set ,look on www.lifelineusa.com for ideas and quality equipment. An appropriate size Swill ball, an adjustable length, swivel handled jump rope and some form of f;loor mat. I wrote a piece back some time ago entitled "The Frugal Home Gym" which should come up with a Spark search. It is also on the team sites Resistance Band and Bodyweight Training and F.I.T. Females in Training

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8/2/11 3:01 P

resistance band a must :)

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8/2/11 1:54 P

My husband & I are turning a spare bedroom into a home gym. I have a recumbant bike, a treadmill and a Weider crossbow machine. I want to make this a great little space to work out. What can you not live without or what would you put in your workout room? Small touches as a water cooler, welcome as well.