Every year, people in the U.S. spend $1.8 billion on gym memberships that they don’t use. Are you one of them? Investing in different types of gym equipment for use at home will put some of that money back in your pocket while you get in shape. Having gym equipment in your home means no more excuses. It will be that much easier to work out. And with the right types of workout machines, you can focus on the workouts that resonate most with you, which will help you get and stay in shape. Even if you don’t know how to use gym equipment, a home gym can help you meet your goals. With some strategizing, you can figure out the best types of gym equipment for your needs, and make an investment that will pay off for years. Read on to learn what you need to know to choose the right equipment for your gym!
Choosing Your Home Gym Setup
A fluid inventory of hundreds to thousands of commercial ellipticals, treadmills, stairmasters and strength pieces makes 360 Fitness Solutions one of the top fitness equipment wholesaler in the market. Let us know your needs and the facility and our fitness equipment experts can help assess and determine the right pieces for your membership, From 1 to 10,000, we’ve done it all and can cater to all crowds regardless of volume or fitness level! Wholesale gym equipment means exactly that! We purchase entire gyms at a time and pass that savings directly to our core customers offering a variety of levels of service and warranty.
Beginner
If you plan to work out infrequently, or if you’ve never really worked out before, this is the category you’ll fall into. When you’re just getting started, you won’t need fancy, top-of-the-line machines. Same goes for if you just want to work out a little bit to stay healthy, but aren’t trying to meet intense goals. For this general fitness or learning the ropes, a selection of weights and extras like an exercise mat and fitness ball may do the trick. These simple gyms don’t take much space, and are easy to set up, with portable, lightweight equipment. Starting simple can be a good idea if you find the concept of putting together a home gym intimidating. Over time, you may find new specific items you’ll want to add to your collection. You can always add bigger, fancier machines later. But if you start small, you won’t feel overwhelmed, and you won’t have to spend much money to get going.
Intermediate
As an intermediate exerciser, you’ll have more specific goals in mind. You might be trying to put on muscle mass or hit certain metrics. In this case, you can start with the beginner setup, but add on things like an exercise bench and barbell rack so you have more options. If your goals are highly specific, you can also buy the specific equipment to match. However, it’s still good to have the basics on hand as well.
Advanced
If you’re advanced, you might be keeping your gym membership, but looking to add some types of gym equipment at home to supplement those sessions. You might want a fancy multi-gym or an elaborate weight bench setup. At this level, it’s easy to know what you need, because you’re experienced with working out.
How to Decide Which Types of Gym Equipment to Buy
Now that you’ve considered your workout level and goals, how can you decide which types of workout machines and equipment to invest in? Here are some considerations for people at any level to keep in mind.
How Much Space Do You Have?
Space constraints will limit what you can buy. Even if you can technically fit a piece of equipment into your space, it will do you no good if you don’t have the space available to realistically use it. Before you start shopping, take a look at your intended home gym space. Take measurements as needed, so you really know what you’re working with. Don’t forget to factor in the space required to use certain machines, such as how far your arms or legs will need to extend. Also, keep in mind that small, portable equipment like exercise balls and free weights are easy to move around as needed. But if you invest in something big and heavy, like a multi-gym, you’ll need to have a space where you can comfortably keep it permanently.
How Much Would You Like to Spend?
Your budget also plays an important role in deciding what to buy, of course. You can easily set up a great home gym on a budget. However, this may require some strategizing and sacrificing. Start with an idea of your budget before you start shopping. That way, you won’t get your heart set on types of gym equipment that you can’t really afford. The cost of a home gym can range from a few hundred bucks to tens of thousands, but don’t worry: you can have an effective setup on any budget. However, more money up front can sometimes get you machines that last longer. If you can afford a higher initial investment, you may find that it’s worth it. Low-quality machines tend to break down faster and need more frequent replacement.
How Much Variety Do You Want?
The best home gyms tend to offer a mix of equipment for variety. Doing the same things every day on the same machines isn’t necessarily a good way to meet your goals. You won’t be able to get the full variety of professional gym equipment in your home, but you can select strategically to give yourself options. For example, a home gym with limited space can still allow you to switch between weight training and yoga. Thinking about the variety you want will help you choose the right types of gym equipment.
How Much Maintenance Are You Willing to Do?
Fancier home gym equipment can require a certain amount of maintenance. Before you buy, be sure to research how much maintenance you might need to do for each item. If you don’t want to commit to maintaining something, you won’t want to buy it for your home. However, there’s plenty of equipment that requires little to no maintenance that you can get instead. Manufacturers are a good resource for learning about required maintenance and any warranties you might need to know about.
How Much Setup Are You Willing to Do?
Some types of gym equipment also require some effort to set them up. If you’re not a fan of putting together complicated equipment, you might find yourself with boxes of gym equipment that you never get around to setting up. If that’s the case, your purchases will do you no good. Make sure you’re ready for the upfront effort required before you buy. Online reviews are a good resource for figuring out how difficult equipment assembly is likely to be.
What Workouts Do You Do Most Often?
If you already have a workout habit, it’s worthwhile to start keeping a journal to track which exercises you do most often. That way, you can break down your equipment purchases according to what you’re most likely to do. For example, let’s say you keep a workout journal for two weeks, and find that three-quarters of your workouts involved cardio. If that’s the case (and you want to maintain it), it may make sense to devote three-quarters of your home gym space to cardio equipment.
The Best Home Exercise Equipment for Beginners
Not sure how to use gym equipment yet? Here are a few easy purchases to consider as you’re getting started.
Treadmills, Ellipticals, and Stationary Bikes
These standalone machines can be costly, but they’re relatively easy to set up and use. They’ll keep you doing your cardio even when you can’t get outside. This is a great option if you want to burn lots of calories in a short amount of time. One thing to keep in mind here is your joint health. Treadmills tend to be harder on the joints. If you have joint issues, an elliptical or stationary bike makes a better choice. Most people won’t have room for all of these items, so you’ll want to strategically choose the one that meets your needs best.
Portable Equipment
A selection of portable equipment is also a great place to start. This can supplement your machines, or even stand alone as your first home gym setup. Try combining a weight bench, balls, mats, bands, steps, and other small, inexpensive items. Many very simple items have multiple uses, so they can add a lot of variety to your home gym.
Free Weight Stations
Power racks, adjustable benches, plates, barbells, and other equipment can help you put a free weight station together. This is ideal if you want to invest more in weight training. Combining different exercise types, like weight training and cardio, in your equipment gives you more ways to meet your fitness goals.
Ready to Build Your Home Gym?
With so many different types of gym equipment out there, it can seem hard to know where to start. But once you consider your experience level, goals, home constraints, and workout habits, you’ll soon arrive at the answers. Over time, your equipment selection can grow. Starting with the basics gives you a great foundation to build on. You just need to make sure that you’re starting with the basics that are best for you. The final question, of course, is where should you start shopping? We’re here for you when you’re ready to get started. Check out our locations today!
