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| A home gym can fit in an 8'X 8' section of a Florida room |
I get a lot of questions from baby boomers asking about home gym equipment. Many midlifers do not feel comfortable going to a commercial gym right away. Beyond the time constraints, traffic, and costs of gym membership, there is also that horrible feeling of self-consciousness that can stifle us until we become adept at training our bodies again.
This leads to the purchase of many questionable exercise machines and/or videos that can make midlifers end their fitness endeavors in injury and failure rather than create a new life-long habit. Here are some common questions.
What is the best exercise machine for home use?
Where can I find home gym equipment ?
What is the least amount of space I need for a home gym?
This leads to the purchase of many questionable exercise machines and/or videos that can make midlifers end their fitness endeavors in injury and failure rather than create a new life-long habit. Here are some common questions.
What is the best exercise machine for home use?
Where can I find home gym equipment ?
What is the least amount of space I need for a home gym?
Generally, I try to maintain that "anything will work if you use it" type of mentality, but a lot of the popular items out there for fitness can do some serious damage to those of us who aren't as nimble as we used to be. Let's review some of what is available and what you should be looking for in a home gym.
A quick walk down the aisles of your local superstore will quickly make you dizzy with indecision.
Generally, there are a myriad of fluorescent colors and bizarre devices from which to choose. The covers tend to lean towards overt sexuality that screams "pick me if you want to look like this."
The best advice I can give is that you visit the store knowing exactly what you are there to buy. For most midlifers this should be some sort of plate weight, a barbell, and possibly a bench. When starting out, you would be amazed just how many compound movements can be done with just a barbell and free weight.
The power rack set up I featured in a previous post will allow you to train for decades without adding much else. But for some, this set up takes up too much space. Not all of us can dedicate an 8' X 8' space in the garage or Florida room to our home gym. Some are looking for more portable means to an end. To these midlifers, I recommend smaller free-weight items.
Dumbbells are relatively inexpensive and will allow you to do most of the same compound movements you would with a barbell. They are small and fit easily under a bed or in a closet. With a couple pair of these and an Internet connection, you can go a long way toward your fitness goals without ever stepping into a gym.
Kettle bells have become all the rage and there is a lot of information on training with these online too. I look at this kind of training as supplemental to the big three lifts, but they can be used in the same manner as dumbbells in addition to the Olympic / explosive movements in which they are usually used. There is more technique involved, but it is still relatively easy to learn.
There are a variety of adjustable benches and while they won't be suitable for working up to a 405 lbs single, they will do just fine for starting out. Some even fold up and roll under a bed or fit in a closet.
The key is to figure out how much space you have at your disposal, how far you want to be able to go without visiting a gym, and how much you have to spend. Then do the research online and get the items on sale if possible. Keep in mind that if you do end up going to the gym after a few weeks or months, you'll be able to sell the stuff you've got. Just don't expect to get much for it. The yard sales of the world are chock full of used exercise equipment. The exception to this rule is Olympic plate weight and Olympic barbells. They usually have a set price per pound or name brand and don't depreciate like the less expensive box store stuff does.
Once you have your equipment and your home gym space set up, you only need to plan your exercise routine and diet plan to start your new life-long hobby. Work it until you outgrow it and move on to the gym or a better set up. Remember that a slow, steady start will always surpass a quick, injury prone one. Nothing kills your training progress like injuries.
Stay strong.
A quick walk down the aisles of your local superstore will quickly make you dizzy with indecision.
Generally, there are a myriad of fluorescent colors and bizarre devices from which to choose. The covers tend to lean towards overt sexuality that screams "pick me if you want to look like this."The best advice I can give is that you visit the store knowing exactly what you are there to buy. For most midlifers this should be some sort of plate weight, a barbell, and possibly a bench. When starting out, you would be amazed just how many compound movements can be done with just a barbell and free weight.
Dumbbells are relatively inexpensive and will allow you to do most of the same compound movements you would with a barbell. They are small and fit easily under a bed or in a closet. With a couple pair of these and an Internet connection, you can go a long way toward your fitness goals without ever stepping into a gym.
Kettle bells have become all the rage and there is a lot of information on training with these online too. I look at this kind of training as supplemental to the big three lifts, but they can be used in the same manner as dumbbells in addition to the Olympic / explosive movements in which they are usually used. There is more technique involved, but it is still relatively easy to learn.
There are a variety of adjustable benches and while they won't be suitable for working up to a 405 lbs single, they will do just fine for starting out. Some even fold up and roll under a bed or fit in a closet.
The key is to figure out how much space you have at your disposal, how far you want to be able to go without visiting a gym, and how much you have to spend. Then do the research online and get the items on sale if possible. Keep in mind that if you do end up going to the gym after a few weeks or months, you'll be able to sell the stuff you've got. Just don't expect to get much for it. The yard sales of the world are chock full of used exercise equipment. The exception to this rule is Olympic plate weight and Olympic barbells. They usually have a set price per pound or name brand and don't depreciate like the less expensive box store stuff does.
Once you have your equipment and your home gym space set up, you only need to plan your exercise routine and diet plan to start your new life-long hobby. Work it until you outgrow it and move on to the gym or a better set up. Remember that a slow, steady start will always surpass a quick, injury prone one. Nothing kills your training progress like injuries.
Stay strong.
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