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ceilings, racks of shiny weights, and space-age machinery. A complete home

gym can consist of a rubber tube, a step, and a handful of videos — equipment

that a student on a budget could fit into a studio apartment.

Before you go shopping, think about your goals and consider what type of

equipment you’re going to need to succeed in all three areas of fitness. Don’t

just say, “I’ll start with an elliptical trainer, and maybe eventually I’ll buy

some weights.” If you plan to get your aerobic exercise outdoors — walking,

jogging, or skating, for example — then, sure, spend all of your home-gym

budget on weight equipment. Just make sure you have an aerobic exercise

plan for the winter. Buying flexibility gadgets needn’t be a priority, although

in the “Considering Flexibility Gadgets” section later in this chapter, we do

recommend buying a cushy mat.

Choosing an inviting spot

for your equipment

Where you park your exercise bike can make all the difference between using

it to get fit and simply using it as an extra chair for your Academy Awards

parties. Put your equipment near entertaining distractions such as the TV

or stereo (or away from them, if you want to be away from other family mem-

bers). And make sure that the spot has adequate ventilation, space, lighting,

and climate control; there’s a reason that only spiders hang out in cold, damp

basement corners.

If you’re lucky enough to have a spare room, consider reserving it exclusively

for your gym. If you don’t have an extra room, at least try to keep all your

gadgets near one another. Don’t store your dumbbells in the bedroom, your

treadmill in the basement, and your stretching mat in the coat closet. Also,

plan to keep your equipment within reach. You don’t want to hunt through

ten drawers to find your favorite exercise DVD. And chances are, anything

you store under your bed will stay there — permanently.

We also recommend installing a mirror, preferably in the area where you plan

to lift weights. A mirror gives your home gym that health-club feel and enables

you to keep an eye on your form. Plus, you can flex your muscles, and no one

will think you’re a jerk. Over time, you can watch your body slim down and

firm up.

Taking careful measurements

Before you buy a major piece of equipment, including a mirror, carefully mea-

sure the length, width, and height of your available space. You don’t want

your dumbbells smashing that new mirror when you raise your arms out to

304 Part VI: Conquering the Gym (Even at Home)