In a perfect world, everybody would be fit enough to be walking around the streets everyday with shredded torsos and toned arms hiding under their business suits or their casual shirts. For the people who can't find time to stay fit, it would be hard to deny the fact that what we live in is a fast-paced life where we spend 8 hours or more in the office, at least 6 to 8 hours in bed, probably an hour total travelling to different destinations, and a few more to eat, drink, and spend time with family and friends.

The rest of the day, we can dedicate a couple of hours to ourselves. Regardless of what our priorities in life are, your health should and will always be on top of your list. The cliché "Health is Wealth" has been overused, only because those three words tell it as it is.

Most of us have different excuses on how we could miss out on a workout session, or why our body is digesting junk food instead of something organic. We blame it on a few factors: time, budget, motivation, location, and even safety.

Fitness junkies can attest to most of us that, all but one of those mentioned should not be a factor, or a reason to skip a day's worth of exercise. Though we do agree that motivation is the most difficult aspect to overcome, the other issues such as time, budget, location, or even safety shouldn't be an excuse. In this article, we will be assisting you on coping with these factors.

We understand how difficult the daily grind is, especially to the employees who work 9 to 5 to sufficiently feed their families. Since they worked hard, they have to party hard, as their mindset has always been Rest & Recreation after office hours before heading off to bed. Keep in mind though, that exercise is a form of recreation. And workouts are actually as mental as it is physical. Exercising regularly can relieve you of stress after work, and can be an effective way to enhance mental toughness that would definitely help you fight stress in the first place, and keep you alert the whole day.

If you don't have the time or budget, or issues with location from either your house or your office, the best way to stay fit is to purchase a Home Gym. Home Gyms are the best fitness equipment for people on the go. It utilizes only a small space in your house, it provides versatility in exercise execution, and assures safety for people who have no time to drag their gym partner to their home, or if the spotter is not available.

A lot of people are sceptical about using home gyms, especially for most of which prefer using free weights. Here is where we help you and narrow down your choices to the best home gyms available in the market today that is a very good replacement to free weights. People who own a home gym saves money in three ways: no membership fees, it reduces the purchase of additional equipment, and no transportation expenses are needed to travel to the gym. And as the last item has mentioned, you don't need to travel around the city, which means more time for yourself, and location is no longer a problem.

There are different types of Home Gyms, depending on the resistance technology it uses. The most common home gym types use pin stacks, while there are home gyms that use plate loading resistance. There are also Home Gyms that use resistance bands or power rod resistance technologies.

We will break down the upside and downside of each type, and we will give you a brief summary for each technology, and our recommendation on what the best Home Gym is for you. We will be basing each type of Home Gym on different brands and models of the world's top makers of fitness equipment so we can determine the pros and cons of each type of Home Gym.

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Pin stack is the most common resistance technology for Home Gyms. The term is coined because there is a stack of weight connected to the cable pulley, and you can adjust the weight by placing the pin on the preferred weight. To get a closer look on pin stacks, we choose one of the best pin stack Home Gyms right now, the .

-          Adjusting the weight is easy to manage, by simply moving the pin to the desired weight.

-          Use of cables offer various angles of exercises.

-          Since pin stacks are structured vertically, horizontal space used is minimal.

-          The aid of cables can assure you of safety, since your body is nowhere near the stack.

-          The difference between free weights and pin stacks is that you cannot add more weight in it. If the stack limit is 150 lbs, you will be unable to add more resistance to the workouts that you perform on a pin stack Home Gym.

-          Pin stack Home Gyms use cables and pulleys, and simple machine rules demonstrate that the wheel and axle provides less exertion of effort, therefore lessening the accuracy of the weight being lifted.

-          Although the equipment can be considered safe for users, cables pulling heavy weight over time, albeit minimal friction, may contribute to the equipment breaking down if used frequently.

Plate Loading is another form of Home Gym. It is called such because you load plates to the device to provide the resistance that you need for each workout. are the leading makers of Plate Loading Home Gyms, and one of their more popular models is the .

-          Unlike pin stacks, you can add more weight to Plate Loading Home Gyms. While most home gyms can stack up to 200 lbs., the maximum weight utilization for Lever Gyms is up to 500 lbs.

-          With the use of lever instead of cables and pulleys, the amount of weight resistance being utilized is similar to free weights.

-          Powertec's signature is the workbench feature, where you can expand and customize your own home gym architecture, depending on your own preferences.

-          With the use of levers, you do not need a spotter to assist you in lifting a heavy bench press and worry about your safety.

-          The objective of home gyms is to be able to simulate all possible exercises in a limited space and equipment, and plate loading home gyms can do just that.

-          The LeverGym is compact, making room for more equipment in your room.

-          Unlikecables, levers do not encounter friction concerns, therefore maintenance of this kind of Home Gym would be minimal.

-          Unlike cables and pulleys, using levers will give you a lesser angle of motions, like using a barbell instead of a dumbbell.

Resistance Band/Power Rods resistance is another form of a Home Gym system. You place the bands /rods instead of weights to provide the amount of resistance that you prefer. Production of resistance bands for Home Gyms has decreased due to the durability of the resistance band as opposed to its users. Nowadays, Home Gym makers have replaced resistance bands with Power Rods to withstand a higher frequency of usage. uses Power Rod resistance, and the

-          Like the pin stacks, adjust the resistance level by selecting the rods.

-          Use of cables offer various angles of exercises, up to 60 exercises.

-          The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE may hold up to 300 lbs of resistance, but hardcore lifters would have no other way to increase resistance, unlike in Plate Loading, where you can have an option to add more weight.

-          The continuous bending of the rods may take its toll in the long run.

-          As mentioned above, the continuous bending of power rods may affect the resistance level if used frequently, therefore decreasing its accuracy and consistency.

-          The base ofBowflex Home Gyms are normally wide. The area it occupies is greater compared to other Home Gyms.

Among the different types of Home Gyms, the Plate Loading system is the closest thing that you can get to a free weight set. The Pin Stacks may give you more options in placing your Home Gym in a small quarter, but the weight resistance may become inconsistent and the limited weight options make it improbable for you to progress on improving your strength gains. The Resistance Band or Power Rod resistance is far off compared to the other home gyms in terms of resistance accuracy and long-term consistency. The Plate Loading Home Gym's levers provide a lesser angle of motion compared to cables, it works similar to executing a Bench Press without worrying about getting dropped on by a 300 pound barbell, or hurting your back while performing a heavy load of Shrugs. Levers are also more durable compared to cables that may break, or power rods that may snap.

And now I have my own Home Gym, a Plate Loaded Home Gym. And as a person who works 9 to 5, even if I spend a couple of hours eating dinner outside, I know that once I get home, I have all the time in my hands to workout and not worry about anything else. I can wake up the next morning and do a few sets without being tardy at work. And during the weekends, my kids can learn the art of exercise with me, instead of getting fat in front of the television the whole day.

 

Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym

• Get a total body strength workout with affordable home gym; includes rowing machine rail
• Provides as little as five or as many as 210 pounds of resistance via Bowflex Power Rods
• Over 30 strength exercises; includes horizontal bench press and lat pull down
• Sliding seat rail adds aerobic rowing training for calorie-burning, cardiovascular warm-up and cool-down
• 300-pound maximum user weight; requires 100 x 78-inch minimum workout area

The Bowflex PR1000 home gym is a great way to strengthen your muscles and add a bit of cardio training to the mix with over 30 strength exercises and a built-in rowing station. With up to 210 pounds of Power Rod resistance, this versatile machine helps work the abs, arms, chest, back, shoulders, and lower body. It includes triple-function hand grips for lat pull-down, a horizontal bench press, and four-inch upholstered roller cushions for leg extension and leg curl exercises. The rowing machine rail also folds when you're done with your workout The PR1000 utilizes Bowflex's patented Power Rods, which provide resistance, or weight, that feels as good as or better than free weights--but without the inertia or risk of joint pain usually associated with free weights. You can hook one, two, three, four or all of your Power Rod units to the cable pulley system and go from as little as 5 pounds all the way up to 210 pounds of resistance. They're precisely manufactured from a high-tech compo

List Price: $ 799.00

Our Price: $ 469.00

Click Here For Info About Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym

Home Gym Buying Guide

Selecting the correct gym equipment is important as it is a big investment. If you make the right selection you will get years of satisfying training with great results, all in the convenience and comfort of your own home. Make the wrong selection and you will end up with an expensive clothes hanger.

The following items need to be considered when procuring a gym:

1) Functionality - does it offer good quality exercises that deliver results?

2) Quality - is it manufactured with the necessary quality and durability to withstand hard and consistent training?

3) Space - work out your footprint for your gym

4) Budget

Functionality for Home Gym Equipment.

In my opinion the key aspect of procuring a gym is that if you hit the weights hard, eat right and take care of yourself, you will get results. If your gym does not allow you to do the major compound exercises like squats, bench press, lat pulldowns, rows etc then you are not only wasting your money you are also wasting the time you have spent training. Isolation exercises are great for shaping existing muscle. But if you don't have enough existing muscle you need to focus on doing compound exercises to build your base strength and muscle mass.

You now have to work out whether you want to go the free weight or machine home gym route. When I refer to free weights I mean training the old fashioned way with a power rack, barbells and dumbbells. In regards to home gyms, you will have to decide between a traditional cable style gym or a leverage multi gym.

Before you decide on whether to go free weight or a machine, you will need to think about what you are trying to get out of your weight training. If you just want to be fit and healthy and are not too fussed with greatly improving your size and strength a home gym will be the best option. Alternatively if you want to build strength or bulk up then a power rack will be the best bet. If you want to build strength and add muscle mass but can't stand free weight exercises then a leverage home gym is the go.

In recent years there has been an avalanche of cheap cable home gyms hitting the market out of China. While some exercises like lat pulldowns or seated rows are great in cable format the majority of the exercises, and in some cases all the exercises on these cheaper gym are just rubbish. Many times these gyms are just replicated from photographs by factories where the people building them don't have any interest in weight training. So it looks like a home gym, but the exercises feel weird and can sometimes been downright dangerous. Give cheap gyms the swerve!

There are very good quality cable home gyms on the market but they are nearly always restricted to the weight stack that is on the gym. Some gyms only have 200lb or 90kg stacks. Many gyms have a mechanical advantage - the arrangement of the pulleys mean that you can lift 90kgs of weight with only 60kg of force. That might amaze your friends when you show them how strong you are but sooner or later you will get on some proper gym equipment and look like a turkey!

Another factor with good quality cable gyms is that they often don't have quality compound exercises. In particular a flat bench press or squat. Seated presses, pec decs, leg extensions and leg curls are good but are no substitute for bench press and squats. They are great for convenience, just put the pin in the weight stack and away you go. You need to work out whether you want to do weight training or not.

Home Gym Quality

Gym equipment needs to be robust. If you are a committed weight trainer you will be training up to 5 times a week and lifting serious weight. Your gym equipment needs to reflect your commitment. A cheaper home gym simply does not have the feel and quality required for serious weight training.

I have seen it so many times; people try and cut corners when buying gym equipment and the following happens:

1) You lose the passion for training as you don’t warm to the cheap feel of an inferior gym.
2) Their training is not adequate. They won't train key bodyparts like legs because they don't have the tools to do it.
3) The gym dies and collects dust in the garage
4) End up selling the cheap gym and buying a quality gym – losing coin in the process.

Although quality gym equipment seems expensive it is actually a smart investment. Buy the right gym and it will give you a lifetime of training plus great results. Plus you will save a fortune on gym fees.

A good quality Leverage gym like the Powertec Leverage Gym or Powertec Multi System allows you to perform many exercises with safety like cable home gyms.

Space

This is an issue for most people. There are two factors that you need to consider when selecting your gym equipment.

Firstly you have to work out how much space you are willing to set aside for your home gym. Once again you will have to determine how dedicated you are to your training. Remember that you will be training regularly so it might worth sacrificing your collection of crap in your garage/spare room that has not been used in years.

Parking the car in the driveway may also be considered.

But in reality for most the amount of space will be determined by the missus.

With your home gym area worked out, now comes the fun part. Selecting the gym equipment to fill the space. Don't make the common mistake of getting carried away and trying to cram in as much as possible. Training in an overcrowded gym is no fun.

I always advise that you go with a little less than try and fit too much in your home gym. Take into consideration that you need to focus on your compound movements to get results and Sam's Fitness has several different packages that can achieve this result without taking up much space at all. The Ironmaster range is perfect for when space is at a premium.

Budget

I mentioned previously the investment aspect of buying a home gym. I hate using terms like that because everyone seems to use it these days. But as I have said many times before if you train with weights consistently you will get benefits. Training at home is much more convenient for most people so it will help with your consistency.
You need to take into consideration how much you will be spending on gym memberships over the coming years.

As above you will most probably need approval from the wife or girlfriend - good luck.

Conclusion

Hopefully this article has given you some ideas on your home gym. Feel free to contact us directly if you need a hand with planning. We get a lot our business through referrals from previous customers so we know we are doing something right.

A lot of time you will talk to sales people who have never actually trained extensively on the equipment they are selling. We pride ourselves on the fact we have trained for years on Powertec and Ironmaster fitness equipment.

By Sam from Sam's Fitness

Getting in shape is on the minds of many individuals these days. Some choose to obtain gym memberships whereas others would like to have the convenience of working out at home. For the latter group of individuals, creating a home gym might be the perfect option to bringing the optimal exercise atmosphere home to you. If you are interested in creating a home gym and making working out as convenient as can be, the following will provide some tips on how to make your dream of a home gym reality.

Figure Out Where the Home Gym Will Go

The first step to creating a home gym is to figure out where it will be placed within the home. If you have a separate room which you can set aside as your workout location, this is ideal. However, for those who have limited space within the home, it is completely possible to create a home gym in a room which is used for other purposes as well. Take a good look around the home and determine which area would be most suitable for your home gym location.

Determine How Much Space Is Available

When creating a home gym you also want to determine how much space you will have available. Doing so in the beginning will help you to decide what type of workout equipment you want to buy for your home gym. Before making any equipment purchases, take down some measurements of the available space as this will prove helpful when shopping for workout products.

Peruse Different Types of Gym Equipment

Some individuals will know exactly what types of gym equipment they want to buy for their home gym whereas others may need to peruse the options before deciding on particular types thereof. Try searching various equipment options online and in fitness magazines to see which ones peak your interest. Also, if you are interested in working out specific portions of the body try searching for equipment which will work out those areas in particular.

Shop for the Home Gym Equipment and Furnishings

Once you have a good idea as to what type of home gym equipment and furnishings you wish to buy, the next step is to make the desired purchases. Buying items at sporting good stores and fitness retailers will often provide one with the most options. Try visiting your local sporting good stores so that you can view the equipment in person and even try it out. Later, if you figure out what brand equipment you want and have tested it out in the stores, look online for the items as these may yield the best prices. However, just be sure that the online retailers ship for free as these products are often quite heavy which can make for extremely expensive shipping costs.

In addition to the fitness equipment, you may also want certain furnishings in your home gym. Items such as a chair, towel rack and even a television for viewing while working out may be good purchases. Consider what extra niceties might fit perfectly within your new home gym and check out options with regard to those as well.

Time to Set up the Home Gym

Once everything has been decided upon, purchased and received, the final step is to set up your new home gym. Prior to setting the equipment up you should already know where everything is going to go as it will be difficult to move things around too often due to the weight of a lot of exercise equipment pieces. Since most equipment will need to be assembled, try to do so in the home gym room as this will make for an easier time getting everything set up and ready to go. Once you have it all set up, you are ready to get started working out in the convenience of your own home.

Need help paying for your home gym? Check out www.MyDreamHomeRegistry.com and make your dream a reality.

The third most popular piece of fitness equipment that you can choose are stair climbers and they are often found in many multi gyms inventory of machines. One of the reasons for their popularity is that they are very easy to use. Of course, with real stairs you are done when you reach the top, but with this fitness equipment you can continue climbing as long as your legs endure.

One of the reasons that stair climbers are so popular is that they are very effective at strengthening and building the muscles in your legs, thighs and buttocks. These large muscles are responsible for a great deal of overall body strength and are also responsible for a large percentage of the calories that you burn each day. Once you build up this group of large muscles, the effects on your metabolism will be significant because a faster metabolic rate equals more calories burned.

home gyms
There are many people who have the mistaken idea that the only time their body benefits from an exercise is while it is being done. But, the experts say this is not so and that once you increase your muscle mass you will also increase the amount of fat being burned. This is one of the reasons stair climbers are popular, because they are one of the best fitness machines for helping you build the large muscles of your lower body.

As wonderful as home gyms are, it is important to use them correctly, or you can end up wasting your time and not getting the benefits you desire. With proper exercise on a stair climber, meaning correct posture and not leaning your body weight on the rails of the machine, you can reap the maximum amount of gain. Not only will a stair climber help to build and tone your lower body, but the result of using it will improve your level of energy and your sense of balance as well.

home exercise equipment
There are a number of different kinds of stair climbers on the market from which to choose. Some of the available styles include: cylinder-driven climbers, wind-driven climbers and computer controlled climber models which can include some very sophisticated programming to challenge those who have been using stair climbing equipment for some time.

Stair climbers also come in quite a wide range of prices too. The most expensive stair steppers on the market include small onboard computers that will calculate the number of calories that you burn during a workout session. They can also track your heart rate and can keep a record of the total number of feet or stories that you climbed during your routine. Additionally, some models come with workout handles which allow you to add exercises for the upper body.

multi gyms
Many experts suggest that stair climbers are more suitable for some people than exercise bikes, treadmills or other home exercise equipment. However, if you have been sedentary, a stair climber may not be the best piece of home gym exercise equipment to start out with and you should consult your physician first. It should be noted that stair steppers are not recommended to be used by people who have cardiovascular or orthopedic disorders.

Stair climbers are considered to be more effective than running or jogging for quickly building the large muscles in your lower body. Climbers are popular not only for the fast results they can deliver, but also because you can still enjoy your favorite TV show or music while using them.