Have Your Own At Home Fitness Studio

Many times it seems the hardest part of working out is just getting to a gym. After work, the crowds at the gym can be overwhelming.  Early in the morning may just be too early to get motivated to get out of bed to drive to a gym.  Having your own fitness studio is not only convenient, but can sometimes be more practical.

A personal fitness studio in the home can also have the added privacy element with no waiting in lines or time limits on the gym equipment.  An at home gym can save you time, money, stress, and even gas!

Having an at home fitness studio does require a budget and space, depending on how elaborate the studio is. A gym has some things you may not be able to have for monetary and practical reasons. But, some gym memberships can cost several hundreds of dollars a year.

Start with the basics

First, look at your budget and the space you have available and go from there. If you enjoy working out at home, you can build from there. Assess you fitness needs and personal fitness goals. Remember, this is YOUR fitness studio, so create an environment that is useful and enjoyable.

1. Dumbbells. Dumbbells, or free weights, is a basic piece of equipment that is cheap and very effective. A good set of dumbbells will allow you to include a strength training routine into your workout. Dumbbells come in single sets with different weight values, with the higher weights being more expensive. Another option is to buy an adjustable dumbbell set. This is practical because it takes up a lot let space and gives you more bang for your buck.
   
   
2. Exercise Mat. An exercise mat is great for stretching, floor exercises, and yoga. Having a comfortable exercise mat is great for abdominal work and other floor exercises. A floor mat rolls up, so it takes up little storage space. For about $20 you can get a thin yoga mat or spend a little more for thicker exercise mats.
   
   
3. Resistance Bands. Resistance bands are another basic additional to your home gym. They are very compact, lights, and diverse. They typically come in a set, but can also be purchased individually for $10-$15. The resistance levels will vary. Choose ones that align with your fitness needs. They may even be a substitute for dumbbells if budget and space is an issue.
   
   
4. Stability Ball: An exercise ball is extremely versatile and can be used for a variety of exercises and core workouts. Having one in your fitness studio will provide many exercise options. You can sit, lie, and balance on them for a diverse exercises, or use them to add weight to your exercises. The balls come in different sizes, colors, and weights. The prices vary depending on size and weight.
   

Once you’ve purchased and added the basics to your home fitness studio, you can begin your home workouts.

If you have more space and a larger budget, you can add on other equipment to your fitness studio.

1. DVD's. This is really more of a basic piece of equipment, but I added it here because you can still have great workouts with the prompting of any DVD's. In addition, you will need electronic equipment to play the DVD"s and that may not be in the budget. But, there are lots of DVD's out there to choose from. Do the research and figure out what works best for you. Having fitness DVD's adds variety to your workouts and takes up very little space.
2. Treadmill.  Before making any major purchase on any type of cardio equipment, try one out in a store. Be sure you do research because you want a safe a sturdy piece of equipment, and certain options may be more desirable for you.  Maybe even consider consumer reports or other gym equipment reviews.   If you like running and walking, and don't mind the indoors, a treadmill is a good option. For a quality machine, this piece of equipment can be costly—at least $600 for just a basic model. 
3. Stationary bikes or elliptical machines can be a more affordable alternative to a treadmill. Elliptical machines and bikes are both low-impact and come in different styles.  Bikes can be recumbent and upright (standard seat).
   
4. Smaller Pieces of Equipment. To add a variety to your workout for a lower price tag, there are a few smaller pieces of equipment to add to your home gym.  Buying a jump rope is a cheap piece of equipment that can provide an intense cardio workout. An overhead pull-up bar is a great addition for upper body and abdominal workouts.
   
5. Workout Bench. A good workout bench is a great additional to a fitness studio. Look for one that adjusts to varying angles and it sturdy for your workouts. This allows you to work different muscle groups at different angles.
   
6. Universal Gym Machine: Finally, if you have the budget and space, consider purchasing an all-in-one weight machine. Think BowFlex. These are not only in infomercials, but available to buy in stores.  They can be quite pricey, but give you a complete workout if DVD's are not your thing.  They will probably run well over $1,000, but buying gently used can alleviate some of this cost. These machines will usually include a bench and various pulleys and weights, which allows you to combine your workout into one compact machine.
   

All of the above basic home gym equipment is available in either sporting goods stores, department stores, websites, or specialty gym equipment stores. For a great deal, consider Amazon which often provides free shipping!

Also, check out Craigslist, eBay, other auction websites, and garage sales.

If you can, try and test the gym equipment out before you make a purchase. Once you get your own fitness studio, enjoy and have a great workout!