Basic Home Gym Help

[Coyote_Bandit]

I'm thinking of using part of my garage for home fitness. I want to buy a good elliptical trainer for cardio. And just a basic free weight set-up for strength training and toning. I'm looking for suggestions and recommendations.

I figure I can get a decent elliptical for about $1000 to $1500. I probably need about a 20" stride length. I would prefer a smaller footprint. I've started looking at these and feel I can find something satisfactory. I'd be interested in others experiences with particular models.

The free weight equipment poses more of a question for me. I'm used to using specialized machines at the gym that target specific muscle groups. I just want to be able to do basic upper and lower body toning and strength training. Nothing fancy. My weight routine at the gym currently includes arm curls, abs, hip flexors, leg press, leg curl, sled, lat pulls, rowing, shoulder press, fly, triceps press, arm press and calf raises. I'm thinking I should be able to replicate most of these exercies with a good incline/decline bench with the leg extensions and with a barbell and a couple of dumbbells. Again, I was looking for suggestions regarding particular equipment.

Not exactly the same as the gym but much more convenient and time efficient for me.

[Longhorn]

1. Here' s what I have:

http://www.smoothfitness.com/products/models_ellipticalsce.htm

We ordered it from the site two years ago and really like it. My dog chewed through the cord to the transformer and I called customer service. They sent someone from nearby to come fix it. He ordered a new power unit and it arrived in the mail soon after. I was worried since the machine is made in Germany and the company is out of state, but the service was great. They have three models of elliptical trainers.

I also use a home gym that I bought from Smooth Fitness but it is not a free-weight system.

Good luck!

[Coyote_Bandit]

3. I Had Seen These Online

but didn't know anything about them. I used to really wonder about the stability of some of the models with a smaller footprint. And then I tried a Trimline at one of the local fitness stores.

Thanks!

[semillama]

2. For the free weights

check out power blocks: http://fitnessequipment.com/powerblocks.html

These basically are dumbbell equivalents that you can add weight to without having stacks of weights around or spend time screwing and unscrewing the locks on normal adjustable dumbbells.

And you might find you get better results using dumbbells than machines, as you will have to recruit more muscles and you get a wider range of motion, plus using dumbbells is great for isolating muscle groups as well.

[Coyote_Bandit]

4. A Space Saver!

Always a good thing. Thanks!

I think you are right about the dumbbells being just as effective - and perhaps more so - than the machines. Though I think it may require more organization and discipline to maintain a consistent workout. It won't be quite as easy as walking from one machine to the next.

[Poiuyt]

5. Those Powerblocks look really awkward to use

Plus they're really expensive compared to regular dumbbells.

I think if you got a barbell and some free weights, a few dumbbells, bench, pullup bar, and squat rack you could do some serious work.

That Smooth elliptical trainer looks like a good one. It would be ideal if you could try out before you buy. Some ellipticals have the feet spaced too far apart to be comfortable (plus leaving you open to injury).

For your cardio, you might want to consider getting a good rowing machine. I bought a used Concept 2 and love it. It gives a full body workout, exercising more muscle groups than most other forms of cardio. It also works your muscles through a wide range of movement so you help your flexibility. (I'm not on their staff or anything, I just really love it. As a former runner, I used to hate having to do any form of indoor training. If I was injured, I'd rather get out of shape rather than do some form of indoor training. Since I got my rower, I've become addicted!)

http://www.concept2.com/Default.asp?bhcp=1

[MemphisTiger]

6. Check out this home gym site

http://www.abcbodybuilding.com/magazine03/homegym.htm

You could do everything with free weight that you do with machines and get a better workout. Free weights work your stabilizer muscles. Just start off with low weight to master your form, then up your weight and see results.