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Fitness equipment like a home gym enables you to do strength training.
Using strength training equipment allows you to exercise with weights
that provide resistance. Resistance training works to increase muscle mass,
enabling you to tone and sculpt your body.
In traditional-style home gyms, resistance comes from a weight stack.
Weights can be disc or blocks and are attached to the machine
with a system of cables and pulleys. A typical weight stack should support
weights as low as 10 lbs. and as high as 200 lbs.
Recently, home gyms have come on to the market that utilize bows or
heavy-duty elastic bands to provide resistance.
These machines are often less expensive than weight-stack models,
but require more adjustment when changing exercises.
Features to look for in a home gym:
• Adjustability
• Construction
• Ergonomics and comfort
• Weight range and number of exercises available
• Safety, maintenance, cleaning, lubrication
• Warranty
Adjustability: If the machine isn’t easy to adjust, chances are
you won’t fully use all its features.
Make sure the seat is easy to move and that it locks firmly in place.
It should be simple to change the resistance level and simple
to swap accessories. Adjustability is particularly important if the machine
will have multiple users – it shouldn’t be a hassle.
Construction: The frame, cables and pulleys are critical features
of home gyms. The frame should be made of 11 or 12 gauge tubular steel.
Gauge refers to the thickness of the steel.
The greater the gauge, the more sturdy, safe and durable the machine will be.
Also look for frames that are welded rather than bolted in critical places
where stress could become an issue. Cables on the home gym should
be able to withstand up to 2500 lbs. of force before breaking.
Don’t underestimate the importance of cables – broken cables are
a leading cause of injury. Pulleys should be made of nylon, not plastic.
Better pulleys contain sealed bearings.
Remember that three quarters of the gym’s smoothness comes
from the quality of the pulleys. Cast iron weight stacks offer
the smoothest operation.
Ergonomics and comfort: The gym has to be usable – it should
fit your height, size and limb length. You shouldn’t feel either stretched
or cramped when using the gym. Benches should be generously padded
and have rounded corners. Handgrips should be covered with rubber
or foam padding to provide cushioning and prevent blisters.
The best way to evaluate the ergonomics of a machine is to try
a variety of exercise. If it’s not comfortable in the store,
it’s likely to be even less comfortable at home.
For more info, download Fitness Equipment, a free ebook.
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