Home Gym Exercise – Some Dos and Don’ts

For a lot of us, who are strapped for time, or live far from commercial gyms or are hindered by any other factor, the home gym exercise option is realistic, convenient and a workable solution. We take a look at the dos and don’ts that you should keep in mind when it comes to home gym exercise.

home gym exerciseHere’s what you should be doing-

  • Do scout around. Take a look online, go visit a few stores, speak to friends, and family. Consider what the best home gym exercise is for you, and what exactly you need to buy to make this home gym a reality. Scout around not just for prices, try out different equipment and also inquire about after sales service and so on.
  • Do take some expert advice. One expert is your doctor who will appraise you of any health limitations you have that limit certain exercises. The other expert to speak to is a personal trainer or fitness specialist who may be able to guide you about how you can best meet your health and fitness goals. Even a friend or family member who knows his way around a gym could offer valuable tips.
  • Do include cardio workouts into your home gym exercise program. You can choose from popular choices such as stationary bikes, treadmills (consider whether it is a motorized or non-motorized one you want), rowing machines, elliptical trainers or have a combination of more than one of these.
  • Do include some weights. It may be a stationary bike, treadmill or elliptical trainer that forms the core of your home gym exercise program, but don’t forget the importance of including weights into this equation. They add to your strength and fitness, improving performance and making you more able to work out.
  • Do treat your home gym exercise as an investment – an investment into feeling and looking better and being healthier. So in this sense don’t compromise on quality. Remember, something like a treadmill will take quite a pounding each day. So, do yourself a favor and opt for something that will go the distance. If you plan to buy any second hand equipment then check it over thoroughly before you buy it.
  • Be consistent. Make sure that the home gym exercise equipment doesn’t turn into a clothes stand or a similarly overlooked piece of furniture. Make a plan and then make the commitment to stick to it.

Enthusiasm about home gym exercise is excellent, however these are some of the ‘don’ts’ to keep in mind-

  • Don’t be over enthusiastic. It may be exciting to have a home gym exercise program, and you may be motivated to give it your best shot. However overdoing it may cause injury and stress or could cause fatigue to the extent of demotivating you.
  • Don’t get taken in by fantastic and unbelievable claims made by advertisers. No matter what they say about the sauna belt it is not going to “melt fat off of your midriff” or thighs or butt or whichever is supposed to be your ‘problem area’; nothing will enable spot fat reduction. So rather than buying such seeming ‘miracle products’, stick to the tried and tested items for your home gym exercise.