Break a Sweat in Your Own Home
Making the tough decision to give up your man (or woman) cave for a brandnew home gym can be a traumatising one. Gone are the play stations and endless hours in front of the TV – and in their stead stand a shiny new treadmill and a set of incredibly heavy-looking dumbbells. But how exactly do you choose what goes into your home gym? Do you start by deciding which areas of your body you want to work on? Are there special machines for age groups or fitness levels?
We know it can be a little intimidating, and the good news is that all will become clear when you ask yourself the following few questions: as “strength” equipment. While all exercise is good, high-intensity weight-training workouts aren’t really suited for burning fat – they are designed to increase muscle mass.
As everyone knows, Crossfit has taken over the world, and people are increasingly using racks and kettle bells as well as traditional equipment. Be warned that these kinds of workouts may not be suitable for everyone, and Crossfit-style lifting at home without a personal trainer’s supervision is not recommended. brands, like Freeform and Tunturi, usually make sure that parts and servicing are available in every country they supply to, which is a life-saver when something breaks.
You can also look at including some reasonably-priced items that prove effective when working out, like a physio ball, Pilates ring, rope, a foam roller, and a yoga mat. These items can be used for safe and effective circuit-training in your home gym.
If you fill your home gym with a mixture of cardio machines, free weights, and strengthtraining apparatus, you’re looking at a total spend of between R40,000 and R85,000.
Miles Harrop is a certified personal trainer, and fitness and business consultant with Fitness Network – South Africa’s leading fitness equipment supplier. You can contact him for a free Skype consultation on miles@fitnessnetwork.co.za or give him a call on +27 86 111 4086. To see the full Fitness Network range, please visit www.fitnessnetwork.co.za.