If your thinking about building a home gym to save on membership cost, or your local gym is miles away, maybe you just want to start at home first before moving onto a proper gym. Then you need to start thinking about the basics. If your using a home gym then you probably want to develop muscle mass and increase your strength in some way. Think about what you want to get out of your training before you start. No matter what your aim is, the additional equipment bellow will help you on your way to developing a better physic and mental attitude towards your training.
The Room
Pick a room on the ground floor. This is going to make it easier for you in the long run, especially when you're moving the equipment itself. The larger the room, the easier it's going to be for you to move round with out tripping or banging into the kit. The empty garage is normally a good place to start. Clear it out put some carpet down, fit a few lights and away you go.
Posters
A good practice for beginners is to put a few stretching posters up. This will help you to remember one of the most important aspects of any training methods. Stretch before and after training. Your exercise techniques are also important to, so stick some charts and diagrams up, which show you the correct methods of executing the movements needed in your training program. Don't be ashamed of putting a few sporting hero's up either. This will help you concentrate on your goals and will let you know why your training.
Equipment
If you're struggling for room, forget about rowing machines, stationary bikes and running machines. A good warm up should include a 5 to 10 minute jog around the block of your house. This is the cheapest and simplest way to get the best result needed.
The bench should be your foundation for seated and laying movements. Depending on your budget, invest in a good sturdy bench. If you want to spend more then pay for multi gym. This will help you develop more muscles within your physic.
A selection of free weights and bars is a must. Dumbbell bars, hammer curl bars, long bar, curl bar and a pull up bar is a good start for preparation. These will help you in many different areas of training.
The possibility of a matt might be of concern if your using an upstairs room for some reason, but I wouldn't be to worried about putting them anywhere else. Never throw, swing or drop any type of equipment. This is very dangerous and will only end up hurting you. If your using the correct techniques you will never do this.
A full body mirror can also help with getting your techniques right, and checking out your progress over the next months to come.
The cost off all this should be around 200 dollars. But why buy training equipment brand new. If you ask around or check out the local papers you will pick up equipment for pennies.
The Cool Down (Final Thought)
It's not the fancy equipment that will help you on your quest, for maximizing your body's development, but how you train your body with the equipment.
Stick to compound movements such as squats, deadlights, pull-ups, press-ups, bench press and bicep curls. After a good 18 months training you, will find that you need to start looking at a local gym membership. The home equipment will start becoming unsafe due to the capacity and strength your body will achieve.
