Chapter 20
Chapter 20: Designing a Home Gym ............................................................................
In This Chapter
Planning for a quality gym
Shopping like a pro
Checking out cardio equipment
Getting the best strengthening equipment
Looking at gadgets to improve your flexibility
T
he home-exercise industry is booming. Americans spend more than $4
billion on equipment every year, and it’s easy to understand why. You
can’t beat the commute to your living room, and you can work out at 3 a.m.
on Sunday if you really want to. You don’t have to pay membership fees, wait
in line for the shower, or deal with any unidentified biological matter that
doesn’t contain your own DNA.Yet, despite all the convenience, home exercisers have a high dropout rate.
The novelty wears off, the bike breaks down, or the 5-pound dumbbell gets
used as a doorstop. You can avoid this scenario and the accompanying guilt
by designing your home gym carefully. This chapter shows you how.Planning Your Exercise Space
The inspiration to exercise may have come to you suddenly, but don’t make
any rash decisions when you buy equipment. You can save yourself time,
aggravation, and money by putting some thought into your purchases. Before
you even set foot in a fitness store, size up your goals, your budget, and your
available space. Here are some specifics to consider before you go shopping.Looking at the big picture
If you want to get fit at home, be sure to cover all the bases: aerobic fitness,
strength, and flexibility. But your home doesn’t have to be a palace with high