If fitness is not included in your New Year’s resolution list, then write it down now, no matter the time of the year. Whatever age or fitness level you are, living a healthier life should be a top priority and what better way to do that than to start a fitness routine right in your own gym at home?
The choice for the best home fitness gym routine is highly subjective. That means, out of the hundreds of fitness routines available for you to use, you’ll need to sift through the different offerings and decide which is best for your own particular fitness requirement, interest and physical ability. To find out what the best home fitness gym routine is for you, here are some tips:
Basic home gym equipment
If you already have a set of home gym equipment, you probably chose it based on your fitness goals. But if you don’t have any, then it’s time to shop. If you’re looking for the best home gym equipment with which to start your fitness routine in the simplest, most basic way, start with some of the most popular – the treadmill, the stationary bike, the stair climber and the rowing machine.
The treadmill has been a top favorite for many years now because it simulates three of the best exercises in the world: running, jogging and walking. If you’re buying a treadmill, look for an excellent system for shock absorption that’s easy on the knees and ankles. This will assure you of safe exercise even while you burn calories.
When it comes to affordability, exercise bikes are the best and you can choose either the upright or the recumbent model. It mimics the motions involved during an outdoor bicycle ride without the distractions of traffic, dirt or mud. An exercise bike doesn’t take up a lot of space and can be programmed to provide sufficient resistance for a great workout.
The stair climber is another excellent choice for cardio. By simulating stepping motions, it provides an aerobic workout that is best for increasing heart rate and for toning the lower body. The basic stair climber targets the glutes, thighs, calves and hip muscles. For a total workout, you can also try a stair climber that comes with tools for upper arm exercise. This system lets you exercise both the upper and lower parts of the body.
The rowing machine may not be the most popular, but many people do miss out on its benefits. For one, it provides the best total body workout that targets both the upper and lower body. By providing resistance for the arms, it works out the muscles in that area including the chest and back. The legs and thighs are also involved in the motions and for burning calories, the rowing machine is tops.
Building muscles
Cardiovascular workouts are great for increasing stamina, trimming body fat and toning muscles, but if you want definition, you probably need the help of the bigger, meaner gym equipment. These systems are specially designed for strength training and muscle building.
A complete home gym system will usually include a range of features from the basic to the fully customizable. Aside from the basic resistance station, you will have the advantage of having a free weight system to use anytime of the day. A home gym system’s weights can be customized to meet a user’s specific needs.
It will include a bench which can either be flat or inclined and several stations where the weights and barbells are located. If you’re a beginner, you might need some assistance because this home gym system will require a lot of loading and changing weight plates. It will require a lot of work, but for the best home gym fitness, a home gym system has a lot of advantages that basic gym equipment don’t have.
Buying the best home gym fitness system
If you’re out shopping for a home gym system, look for one that has a 200-lb. weight stack. It may seem a lot, but remember it’s fully customizable. Besides, you probably won’t start a fitness routine with the 200 pounds weight stack immediately. You can also opt to add more weights as you progress later on.
If you’re looking for the best home gym fitness system, don’t be afraid to try it to see if every station, every moving part functions as it’s supposed to. Look for steadiness and smoothness in the moving parts. Check if the system is made with heavy steel, look for a sturdy frame and steel cables. The padding on the seat and head rests should provide adequate support and pulleys should be made with nylon-coated fiberglass pulleys.
What to expect
The best home gym fitness system should offer quality that is directly proportional to its price tag. You should essentially be getting what you paid for, so you need to know what features to check. With regular use and maintenance, the best home gym fitness system should last you many years, so make sure your choice is the best.