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.
