Home gyms make exercise comfortable and convenient, and for many of us, they eliminate our excuses for skipping fitness routines. It is possible to get a workout at home, and the equipment options are endless. Depending on your budget, and the amount of room you can commit to an exercise space, your home gym can be as well-equipped as any fitness center.

An ideal home gym has one or more pieces of cardiovascular equipment (i.e. a bike and a treadmill), a multiple station weight set that can be used for every body part, and several free weights to add variety and increase versatility of the exercises. The gym should also have a stability ball and some form of yoga and Pilates equipment. This set up would create the near perfect training environment, but it may not be realistic for some people. Let's review some top picks for creating your home gym.

Cardio: Commercial grade equipment is more expensive, but it will be more durable, and usually gives the user a better feel. Treadmills (i.e. Star Trac S TRC), elliptical trainers (Star Trac P-TBTx) are able to take the abuse that home users will deliver. Alternatives to these bulky pieces include a jump rope, an aerobics step, an agility ladder, and of course, going outdoors. Do not get caught up in details, and remember that a lower budget requires more creativity. Cardiovascular exercise is supposed to elevate the heart the rate, and condition the heart, lungs, and skeletal muscle tissue. All of this can be achieved by either running on the treadmill, outdoors, or even in place. Your fitness level will determine the number of days (usually 3-7), the intensity, and the duration (15+ minutes), but do not be limited by your lack of equipment.

Bands/Tubing/Balls: These exercise tools are inexpensive, easy to transport, and will allow the user to get a full body strength workout. Bands and tubing come in varying resistances and can be used to mimic more 'traditional' exercises that are done at the gym. They can be wrapped around an object, or even around the user's own body to create a stable surface in order to pull the band/tube. Most of these products come with a manual to give you ideas on what can be done with these pieces of equipment. Think about how the body moves and how you can give it resistance with a band or tube. The main difference between a band and a tube is user preference for one versus the other. Making this investment is a good idea because every part of the body can be worked with a band or tube. Note that they travel extremely well and are ideal when traveling. Medicine balls will add even more versatility to your routine and should be considered as well.  

Free weights/kettle-bells In addition to tubes and bands, a set of free weights or kettle-bells should round out your strength training equipment. When in doubt, opt for a lighter weight because these are more versatile. You can modify exercises to make them harder when using a light weight, but it is hard to perform any exercise when you cannot lift the weight at all.  

Yoga/Pilates Equipment: Yoga mats, stability balls, and Pilates rings can be useful to work on flexibility and injury prevention exercise programs. Muscle imbalance is often the cause of ailments and injuries. It is important to stretch a tight muscle and strengthen a weak muscle. Yoga straps, Pilates rings, and physioballs can challenge the core, and provide assistance for stretching activities. They can be put in your arsenal to get in better shape without having to leave home.  

Manny Escalante, Jr. MA, ATC, CPT