Home Gyms

Strength training is an important part of an overall fitness program. Home gyms allow you to perform a variety of exercises more safely than with free weights (although you develop less coordination). Performing exercises properly is easier, especially for the beginner, because the machine helps keep your body in the proper position.

Types: Home gyms create resistance in a variety of ways, including weight plates, rubber bands, shock absorbers and centrifugal brakes. Weight plates are the preferred form of resistance. Bands and shocks limit the type of work the muscle can perform, resulting in a workout of lesser quality.

Basic home gyms have 1 or 2 stations providing simple exercises for all major muscle groups. More expensive models will include greater variety, more advanced exercises, multiple stations and even multiple weight stacks so that more than one person can work out at the same time. Unless you are able to purchase the higher-end models, do not expect a home gym to provide you with a complete strength workout. You may still have to supplement it with some dumbbells or free weights, especially for working the shoulders.

Do not focus on how many exercises the machine can perform. Most home gyms will offer a wide variety of different exercises. It is more important to find out how easy it is to change from one exercise to another. You do not want to waste time between exercises dismantling the machine, rearranging cables or making numerous small adjustments.

Price Range: $800 to $3000, with luxury models costing up to $6000.

Desired Features:

• Quality materials used for frame, cables and pulleys
• Resistance supplied by stacks of weight plates
• Minimum of 150 lbs total weight, with the ability to add more
• Easy adjustments from one exercise to the other
• Leg extension, leg curl and chest press stations
• High pulley system for lat pulldowns
• Low pulley system for curls, rowing and thigh exercises
• Ability to adjust weight in 2-5 lb increments

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