How to set up a home gym

One of the constant problems encountered by those wishing to exercise more at home, is how to set up a home gym.  Often the stumbling block from becoming frustrated with a gym membership and actually installing your own exercise room, many are perturbed by the hassle involved in starting up.  However, this guide is here to show that with the smallest amount of planning and research setting up a home gym is as simple as ordering a pair of jeans from a catalogue.

When initiating the process of setting up a home gym, there is a great deal of preparation that needs to be done.  For starters, you are going to need an area of space to put you new equipment in, needless to say if you live in a one bedroom apartment you are probably better served taking out a membership form at fitness first.  Obviously the amount of apparatus you are planning on buying warrants how much room you need, but you are going to require an open space of at least 12x14 feet.  In perspective, that is around the size of a small garage or a large shed.  Anything under this specification and you will begin to struggle when exercising and things are likely to become very claustrophobic.

It is also important to understand the best place for this space to be located. Home gyms tend to work best on the ground floor of a residence, therefore not threatening the construction of the ceiling or putting to much noise through the house.  This also makes things easier when setting up, as heavy weights and machines don't have to be lugged up and down flights of stairs.

The second thing to consider before you go about deciding how to set up a home gym is the budget that you are operating on.  Obviously if you are harbouring ambitions of making you spare room into Atlas' playground then you are going to need the financial backing.  Most extensive packages are going to in the region of £1000.

Finally, it is important to fully identify the goals that you have when learning how to set up a home gym.  Most who take on this adventure are usually looking to improve in a specific area, either cardiovascular or muscular.  Once you have decided what you wish to achieve, then it becomes much easier to move forward and start planning the construction.

If you are looking to improve your stamina, lose weight and are generally unconcerned with bulking up, then you are more than likely going to want to purchase some cardio equipment.  Due to the format of cardiovascular machines there will have to be some compromise in where you set up your home gym.  On the whole, they are very large machines and require a large area to live in.  They also rely on electrical power generally, so a room that is filled with adequate plug sockets is a must.  The rowing machine and the exercise bike are two of the more convenient cardiovascular machines, requiring little space and effort to re-locate.  Accompany these with a selection of mats for abdominal crunches or yoga, and this becomes a great minimalist set-up for those seeking a cardio workout.

For those wondering how to set up a home gym filled with weights, there are may options available.  The most basic set of dumbbells will start at under £50 and can prove adequate in improving certain muscle groups.  However, if you are looking for a more extensive work out and added variety, then you may want to explore the possibility of acquiring a bench press, providing you have the available space and funds.  A typical home gym is based around the bench and is supplemented with a collection of free weights.  The most advanced stage, is combining this with a multi-gym.  This is the machine designed to target several area of the body by attaching a series of levers and pulleys onto the one structure.  Only taking up a small space in the home, these are extremely useful, however will potentially run your budget into the red.

In terms of actually how to set up a home gym, installation is usually quite straightforward.  Avoiding the natural hazards that come with carrying heavy weights and bars, most equipment is very self-explanatory and requires only a small deal of common sense.  Most machines are either installed on delivery or are ready to use straight out of the box, making this a very hassle free procedure.  However, if you are unsure of any equipment purchased then contact your supplier.