If you're ready to buy your first piece of home gym equipment, an upright exercise bike is a great choice. Upright bikes are ease to use, convenient, affordable and provide a good workout for beginner to moderate users.

These are is one of the most basic, easy to use types of bikes on the market. Working out on one of these machines is a lot like riding a regular road bicycle. They have a seat, handlebars and pedals just like a regular bike, and most people intuitively assume the right position and movement for workouts.

Those who are just starting out with home exercise equipment find that these bikes make workouts fun and convenient as well as easy to master. You can watch TV, listen to the radio, read or even play video games if you like on an upright exercise bike. It's also possible to work out your upper body if you choose a bike with movable handlebars. If your balance and strength allow it, you may also be able to use light weights or arm movements to work the upper body as you ride.

Even lower priced upright bikes tend to feature some sort of workout programming. You can use programming to monitor miles cycled, calories burned, or the length of time of your workouts. Most upright bikes also come with adjustable resistance levels so you can vary your workout as you gain strength or just to keep things interesting.

One big advantage of these is affordability. Although it's possible to spend a small fortune on an exercise bike, it's not necessary. You can find very affordable upright bikes that will stand up well to moderate use. Even lower end models tend to operate smoothly and quietly, as the design of these bikes is fairly simple.

This equipment won't take up much room in your home, so they are a great choice for those with space limitations. Today there are even foldable exercise bikes that take up even less space than traditional models.

Although an upright exercise bike is a great first piece of home gym equipment, they may not be suitable for everyone. If you want a very vigorous workout, an upright exercise bike might not be the ideal choice. Those who are very obese or who have back injuries or issues may find them difficult to use. But for the majority of people, an upright exercise bike is a great option for an indoor workout.


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When exercising, it is important for you to find the appropriate type of bar so that you are able to effectively target specific muscle groups, while exercising in a way as to prevent injury. There are three main types of bars that are often seen in the workout room: the long bar, the curved short bar, and the straight short bar.

The long bar is often used by people exercising to target their back muscles. As the name suggests, the bar is long and offers the user to opportunity to do exercises like the pull down. They usually have differently spaced grips so you can change your exercise routine fairly easily.

The curved short bar is shorter and almost has a "u" or "v" shape to it. It is helpful to people attempting to work out their upper arms and triceps muscles. It offers the user an easy to grip frame, so the work out tends to be very helpful, but allows the person using it to maintain the appropriate amount of control over the weight.

The short straight bar is similar to the long bar, aside from the fast that it is much shorter. This type of bar is helpful for exercises like biceps curls and rows. It is very sturdy so the person is able to pull a decent amount of weight with such a small bar. This helps with the proper amount of leverage in the exercises. The person exercising can move at a fast pace and have a powerful workout with the help of these bars.



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Everyone knows that exercise is a critical part of a healthy life style. It not only benefits your health, it is also a mood booster. For those who want to accomplish a specific fitness goal, a personal trainer can be helpful.

Some people think they know what is best for them, since they know their own body, but there are many benefits to having a personal trainer you may not have realized. A personal coach will often begin with an assessment of your body, your level of physical fitness, and your goals.

One benefit that individual instructors provide is increasing your motivation to meet or succeed your fitness goals. For most of us, being watched, supervised, or held accountable, makes us perform better. This is just as true with an exercise program as in other facets of our lives.

Those who exercise alone may do so to reduce stress or get in shape. Others may need a partner to give them an extra push to exercise regularly because someone is relying on them. Personal trainers can be whatever motivation you need them to be for your situation and personality.

If your fitness goal is to lose weight, your coach can help motivate you with education about diet and nutrition. Also a trainer will know what level you will need to exercise at to reach your weight loss goals, and if in fact, you weight loss goals are even reasonable for you.

If you are training for a specific event, such as a race, or extreme hike, it might be beneficial to you to have an individualized program designed for you to get the essential muscles in shape for that event. People tend to have higher success rates with goals when that goal is shared with others. The trainer acts like your personal supporter who wants you to succeed.

Another benefit a trainers can provide is the fitness knowledge he/she possesses. Most instructors these days have completed specific education, and are certified as personal trainers. The education should have taught him/her how to work with different body types, and physical limitations, such as injuries. You should be able to rely on this person to teach you to do an exercise correctly, so that you are in fact working the muscles you need to work for the highest benefit.

Your coach can show you exercises that you may not have known about, and you might feel muscles worked that you never even knew you even had. Personal trainers help you make the most of your time spent in the gym because they know what they are doing.

When searching for your personal instruction guru, be sure to find one who you like who matches your personal needs and your personality. While personal training implies a one on one relationship, small group classes are often available as well, and if cost is a consideration for you, working out in small groups may be the best way for you to go. It is important to take the time to search for a certified instructors who take the time to get to know you, your unique situation, and your goals. Your body will thank you.



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With a home gym there are no membership fees to pay, you can work out whenever it suits you and you don't have to queue to use the shower. But, beware, the dropout rate for home gym users is even higher than for health-club users. One way to overcome this and the associated guilt is to design your home gym carefully. This article shows you how.

If you're thinking of setting up a home gym it's very tempting to hit the shops and buy lots of shiny new kit but before you do, take time out to decide your goals, your budget and the space you have available.

Here are some things to consider before you go shopping:

* Cover all the bases. If you want to get fit at home you need to be able to do aerobic, strength and flexibility exercises. So, think about how you are going to achieve all three types of exercise. For example, if you're going to do your aerobic exercise such as walking or running outdoors, you can spend your whole budget on weight equipment.
* Choose the best spot for your equipment. Where you choose to site your equipment can make all the difference between using it regularly and just letting it gather dust. Maybe you are someone who likes to be distracted when you are exercising. If that's the case, choose an area with a TV or music system within range. Alternatively, if you want to be completely free of distractions choose a spare room which you can reserve exclusively for your gym and where you can keep all of your equipment together. It's also a good idea to install a mirror, if you are planning to lift weights. Not only will it give your gym a health-club feel but it will also enable you to check that you are lifting them correctly. It will also motivate you, as you'll be able to watch your body gradually slim down and tone up. hichever spot you choose, make sure there's adequate venti
* lation, space, lighting and climate control. Measure the available space. Check the length, width and height of the space to ensure you can use your equipment without smashing into things or banging your head on the ceiling. Also, measure the doors to the space to make sure you can get your equipment in and out easily.
* Consider the type of flooring. If you're planning on using exercise DVDs a carpeted floor works best because it protects your joints, deadens the sound and lessens the danger of slipping. If you're going to be pumping weights don't do it on a tiled floor because if you drop them you'll crack the tiles. The best choice, if you can afford it, is to put in a rubberized floor. If you can't afford it, just put rubberized mats under your cardio equipment. Rubberized mats reduce vibration and stop your flooring from being stained by oil and other debris that inevitably drop from this type of equipment.

Designing your home gym is great fun as you can tailor it to your precise needs. But before spending your hard-earned cash on fancy gadgets, take some time to consider the aspects explained in this article and you'll end up with a gym that will be practical and one that's used for years to come.



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