Jimi Varner

Necessary Equipment
Look, I have made life easy for you. Everything you need to perform the home gym exercises can be purchased very inexpensively at a local retail store or on the internet.

1. Adjustable Dumbbells
2. Adjustable Bench
3. Stability Ball

Grand Total: Around $250. Not bad for everything you need.

How to set up your own Home Gym
While health club memberships have their advantages and work well for some people, for others, a home gym is a better option. Better yet: why not install a simple home gym even if you have a health club membership? This way, you’ve got more options and fewer excuses.

The home gym offers lots of advantages that a commercial gym can’t. For starters, it’s always there, and it’s never crowded. You won’t need to pack your gym bag, find the car keys, fight traffic, find a parking spot, or wait in line for the equipment you want to use. In fact, you don’t even need to change into your “gym clothes.” These advantages add up to some pretty significant savings in time, stress, and energy expenditure.

Many people assume they don’t have enough money or space for a home gym, but most people do in fact have the resources necessary to convert a small area of their home or apartment into a workout area. Often, one side of the garage or basement will make an idea training area. Here are my suggestions for an inexpensive and maximally efficient training area at home:

The 5 Affordable MUST HAVES for your Home Gym

1. Adjustable Dumbbells – the best piece of home gym equipment that I know of. You can have the entire dumbbell set that only takes up the same space as a single pair dumbbells. And different weight options are available, so shop around. I also recommend purchasing the dumbbell stand. Although it’s a little extra, your home gym will look much more inviting.
Price range: $150 – $300

2. Adjustable Bench – the addition of an adjustable bench to your home gym is the second most important purchase. Although a flat bench is less expensive, you will be able to train body parts at a variety of angles and if you choose one with adjustment options.
Price range: $50 – $300

3. Stability Ball – also known as the Swiss ball, the stability ball provides you with additional exercise options for both lower and upper body, but is most popular for abdominal, lower back, and stability work.
Price range: $20 – $40

4. Jump Rope – there is a reason boxers are ripped. It’s been reported that jumping rope can burn up to 1,000 an hour. It improves your agility, balance, reflexes, posture, and coordination. Don’t go cheap here. Sure, you can pick up a jump rope three dollars at Wal-Mart, but a good jump rope can last you a lifetime.
Price range: $7 – $30

5. Medicine Ball – while it’s not the most essential, there are benefits to be had using a medicine ball in your home gym workout. The biggest mistake I see people make when purchasing is that they select a ball that is too light. In my opinion, you should select a ball that you can comfortably to touch the ground and then raise over your head for 10 repetitions, but not 20. If cost is a concern, you can always substitute a dumbbell or sand filled milk jug.

Price range: $20 – $50

Once these “essentials” are in place, you’re obviously free to add to your home gym with other items as the need and opportunity arise. Nevertheless, I could effectively train most populations with the five items listed above, so don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you need all sorts of specialized equipment to be successful, because you don’t. Despite “advances” in equipment technology, no one has ever been able to improve upon the good ole fashion dumbbells and quality running shoes.

If you haven’t considered home training before reading this, I strongly urge you to do so. There are many good programs that are appropriate for home gym application, and if you crunched for time, I consider training at home to be an essential strategy for continuous improvement and maximum results.