7 Biggest Home Gym Shopping Mistakes

So you want to build your very own, private, 
time saving home gym. Your goals are probably 
to decrease your body fat, maintain or increase 
your lean body mass (muscle), and get fit, all in 
the comfort of your own home.

There are many advantages to owning a home gym. It 
is always nice to know the equipment is waiting for you, 
and you don’t have to travel to the equipment. Saving 
time is a valuable advantage in having your own home 
gym equipment. It can help with exercise adherence in using 
the equipment.

The biggest home gym shopping period is quickly 
approaching. That is, of course, New Year’s Resolution 
time – January 2006. Many people are driven to home 
gym equipment specialty shops, quickly pulling their credit 
cards out after seeing a Saturday morning infomercial, or 
surfing the web for that special, secret quick home fitness 
solution to click and buy.

Being an Exercise Physiologist in Beverly Hills for 15 years, 
I see these seven, all to common home gym shopping mistakes year after year. My intention is for you to understand these 
mistakes, and prevent them from happening.

1. No Home Fitness Plan Prior To Shopping

If you don’t have a clear cut, rational, fitness 
plan designed prior to shopping for home gym 
equipment, you will be making a big mistake. By not 
having a fitness regimen, people tend to buy on 
emotion, and not logic, thus, making a rather 
poor investment on the wrong equipment. The wrong 
program and equipment will not deliver good fitness 
results. I suggest consulting an exercise physiologist, 
qualified personal trainer, or physical therapist to help 
you plan the perfect home fitness program.

2. Listening Too Much To The Sales Person

It is important to be educated prior to walking into 
a fitness store, or clicking the purchase now button 
on the internet. The store sales associate does not 
always know what is best for you, and may not 
be looking out for your best interest, but their very own. 
Get professional program and equipment advice found 
in such home gym resources as the ebook Home Gym 
Shopping Secrets.

3. Pay Full Retail

Too many people are wasting their money by paying 
sticker price. Don’t be afraid to ask for a discount, 
or a price guarantee. Many stores will price match, 
or guarantee pricing. Don’t be shy, save a few dollars, 
and spend them an perfecting your program by 
consulting with a professional trainer.

4 . Don’t Try Before Buying

Once again, people get excited when they think 
they finally have that perfect piece of equipment 
that will solve all their problems. The sales associate 
tells them it is on sale, and can be delivered by tomorrow 
morning. The shopper thinks, good, my fat burning 
solution can start tomorrow. But wait, is it the ideal 
piece of home gym equipment for you? How can you 
answer that question without a good 10 minute workout 
on it? Trying the equipment will help answer a lot 
of questions, and prevent you from getting it home only 
to discover you will never use it.

5. You Get What You Pay For

Beware of real inexpensive equipment with little or no 
warranty! In the home fitness equipment industry you 
generally get what you pay for. If you buy junk, you will 
end up either not using it or buying something else 
when it breaks. Invest wisely for your home gym health 
and fitness program!

6. Thinking The Equipment Will Solve Your Problem

Please note that the equipment will not accomplish your 
goals, but what you do with the equipment that will. 
Too many people get into the infomercial state and 
think by buying a particular piece of equipment their 
problem will be solved. You have to use the equipment 
consistently, as well as being on the proper fitness 
program for your specific goals and medical history. Think 
logically when buying.

7. Don’t Consider Space, And Other Users

Don’t forget to determine if you have enough space 
for the equipment you are purchasing. It is also 
wise to consider the size and weight of other potential 
users of the machine.