Setting Up a Home Gym

Setting up a home gym can be a daunting task. What do you need? How much will it cost? Where do you buy the best equipment for the best price? Fret not. Here are some basic pieces of equipment you need, including weights, exercise balls and other important gear to help you reach your goals. Learn what you need to create a well-stocked gym to meet your ever-changing needs.

Dumbbells:

A 50 pound hex-dumbbell set is a must have.

This dumbbell set offers 5-, 8- and 12-lb. weights (two of each). These are rubber hex dumbbells, so they won't roll away when you put them down. The set also comes with its own compact rack. This is a quality set of dumbbells for a great price, though it's missing a 10-lb. set, which you'll need to purchase separately.

Bench:

The next item on your list should be a good quality bench. You will need to be able to work out with your dumbbells or free weights. A bench with a leg attachment is a good thing to have. You will need be able to isolate and build the calf and thigh muscles.

Abs and Exercise

There are numerous reports about how our society has gained weight. We see annual reports on “America’s Fattest Cities”. The stomach, in particular, has become a trouble spot for many people. This is due in part to the fact that many of us have jobs that don’t allow us to burn calories. For others, this is where the excess fat, brought on by the fast food and extra beers, settles in our bodies. Before beginning a discussion of abdominal exercises and equipment, it is important to point out that even the best ab machine will not help you loose fat in your stomach area. Abdominal exercise equipment can tone and shape your muscles, but the only way to loose the fat is to burn more calories than you take in. Exercise will help you do this, but it is a total body process, not targeted to certain areas.

The key to tight abdominal muscles is a total exercise program. Routine exercise combined with proper diet will lead to the “six-pack” you desire, Work abdominal exercise into your routine. Make sit ups, crunches, or other torso exercises a part of your routine. If you are consistent with your exercise program and watch what you eat you will see results.

Counting calories is an important part of any weight loss program. You eat properly. Eating foods loaded with fat and calories will not help you. The “I’ll burn it off at the gym” mindset is completely counter-productive.