Home Gym

Why expensive home gym equipment isn’t necessary

There was a time when a sign of wealth was the ability to say “Home, James.” These days, that phrase has been shortened to “Home, Gym.” Over $4 billion is spent annually in America on home gym equipment, but only about 1/3 of that equipment is used regularly. Before investing money in expensive home gym equipment, setting up an inexpensive home gym will help you discover if you have the discipline to justify the cost.

Good intentions vs. great results

If the road to hell is paved with good intentions, you might say the road to the living room couch is strewn with unused gym equipment. Everyone who spends several thousand dollars on a home gym system believes it will be the beginning of a new body and a new life. The act of purchasing expensive home gym equipment can add gravity to good intentions, or even make you feel better.

But all too often, those good intentions don’t translate to great results. The reason is simple: you can’t buy self-discipline. But you can develop it, and an inexpensive home gym is the best place to start.

Earning your reward

The key to a successful home gym routine is variety. Boredom can discourage exercise, so mix things up. Free weights, aerobic steps, resistance balls, and jump ropes are all highly effective and inexpensive home gym alternatives that can be switched out from day to day to keep your home gym routine interesting.

Setting is also an important aspect of establishing a consistent home gym routine. The home gym equipment listed above can be used nearly anywhere at home, in front of the television or overlooking a porch or patio. For seasonal exercise, a new pair of running shoes is all the home gym equipment you need for a great aerobic workout. Establish a favorite jogging route, and mix that activity in with your other home gym techniques.

Home gym equipment can become part of your motivation to work out. Instead of rewarding yourself right at the beginning with new home gym machines, set a goal of three months or six months of consistent low cost workouts. At the end of that period, if you’re still going strong, you can feel completely justified in buying a useful home gym machine such as a treadmill or exercise bike.

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