Home gym equipment

According to recent statistics it is a fact that most people these days prefer to train at home rather than actually going to gym. In my previous article, the experts commented on what the perfect home gym should have and what you should keep I mind when exe rcising at home. This article will show you what is available out there and where you can find it. Happy shopping, hope you can get your home together in time for summer!

What is available?

BodyQuip recommends:

The Power Tower multi functional home gym: This is a multi gym where you can buy the basic unit which consists of the centre pillar with pull up bar and punching bag and then you can add components to it until you have one complete unit.

This multi gym can be bolted into the ground and stand outdoors or you can put it inside of the house with a base that keeps it stable while training. A complete unit will allow you to be able to do a full body workout where all muscle groups are covered with different strength exercises. The machine allows you to body weight exercises like the pull up combined with conventional strength training to sculpt the body. It also does not require a lot of maintenance – making exercise easy and hassle free. 

The Proteus LDT 7560 home treadmill: This is a treadmill with a 2.5HP motor. It has a running surface of 46cm x 140cm and the speed is adjustable from 1km/h to 18km/h. It can also elevate from 0-12% . The treadmill can accommodate a maximum user weight of 150kg. It is very sturdy and reliable and folds up for easy storage so it will not take up permanent space. It enables you to keep track of your fitness improvements as you can keep log of your heart rate, speed and distances covered on treadmill. Treadmills however do require a certain amount of maintenance depending on the usage, this will include applying a lubricant on the running deck to make sure the running belt glides over the surface and cleaning the motor and roller areas of dust particles as a build up of dust can be harmful to moving parts.

The Pro Energy indoor cycle (also recommended by Fitness Network): This is a stationary cycle that has a 20kg flywheel that provides resistance for a good cardio workout. The position while seated is similar to road cycling. More resistance can be added by turning a knob that pushes down on a padded brake pad that presses against the flywheel. You can burn a lot of calories by doing an intense spinning routine and it is not as strenuous on your knees.

Fitness Network recommends:

Body solid GFID71 Flat / Incline / Decline Bench:The extra heavy-duty 2" x 3" steel frame can easily handle a load capacity of 1,000 Lbs. The back and seat pads lock into eight positions to align your body for perfect posture in all your exercises while the ultra-thick DuraFirm upholstery supports you comfortably through the most intense workouts. Lock your legs in the T-Bar Leg Hold Down featuring oversized rollers for extra comfort and stability while you perform upper and lower abdominal exercises as well as incline and decline strength training. Convenient casters let you move the WFID70 effortlessly in and out of any rack for the ultimate in versatility. The product comes with a full commercial warranty.

Body solid vertical dumbbell rack with dumbbells: This will make your home gym look very professional. The uniquely designed two-tier vertical dumbbell rack holds 6 pair of Hex dumbbells. Each level is offset allowing unrestricted access to dumbbells 

The heavy-gauge steel construction offers maximum durability. It can hold all dumbbells: 2kg, 4kg, 6kg, 8kg, 10kg, and 12,5kg.

WaterRower Natural: The WaterRower Natural is hand crafted in solid Ash and stained Honey Oak for consistency of colour. Each machine has been hand finished with Danish Oil giving a deep lustre and warmth to the wood. The new S4 monitor has many features and challenging programmes to help the user keep an eye on their progress whilst they workout. Apart from calculating calories burnt, heart rate and distance rowed, it can also predict time over distance, giving true goals to work towards. The easy-to-read monitor with large screen and digits is accurate and reliable and the heart rate digital receiver - compatible with any Polar heart rate monitor - enables users to record their heart rate as they work. Other features include: 

Infinitely Variable Resistance; Silent Flywheel; Balanced Tear-drop Handle; Ergonomically Contoured Seat; Dual Rails and Spragg Clutch. 

SEG BM-3296 Recumbent Exercise Bike: Ideal for home and light commercial use if you are looking for a good sturdy bike with excellent console feedback. It is fitted with silent drive magnetic technology and features 15 programs including 1 manual, 4 HRC, 1 Body Fat, 4 user settings. Pulse, Time, Speed, Distance, Kilojoules or calories, Watts, BMI are displayed. It comes with a breathable Mesh backrest and the hand grip has pulse sensors. It can be moved easily with assistance of transport wheels and has a walk-thru frame design.

Body Solid G3S Multi Gym: The multi-grip press arm system delivers deep and effective muscle interaction for chest, incline and shoulder press movements. No need to sit on the floor to perform rowing exercises with the G3S, simply grasp the mid row handles for an exhilarating mid and lower back workout that will increase flexibility, build strength and relieve lower back stress. Switch between high, mid and low pulley exercises quickly and easily with the G3S no cable change design. Perform lat pull downs, triceps press downs, biceps curls, resistance abdominal crunches and dozens more exercises with the included cable attachments. The Leg Extension / Leg Curl Station are fully adjustable to comfortably fit any size user and features thick foam rollers for maximum comfort. 

Verimark recommends: 

Maxxus RCP 3000

The Maxxus RCP3000 is a 3-in-1 total body trainer. It is a rower, recumbent cycle as well as a personal trainer all in one. The machine has adjustable Resistance – There are eight degrees of tension so you’re sure to find the perfect setting for your fitness level. It is equipped with a Magnotech Flywheel which generates resistance while you exercise. It also monitors calories burned, heart rate, distance, speed and time. The ergonomic seat makes exercising comfortable and safe. It gives perfect support and eliminates unnecessary orthopaedic strain on the back. A perfect seating position whether you are rowing or cycling.

Maxxus V800

This machine offers the latest total body vibration technology as evaluated by NASA to help prevent the loss of bone density and prevent muscle atrophy. When vibrations pass through the body, muscles contract and relax up to 50 times per second giving you a quick and effective result producing workout. The unique 3-dimensional movement unlike other vibration machines – allows you to train more muscles as you move forwards, backwards and from side to side. It can be used for as little as 10 minutes a day and is perfect for overweight people, people with poor blood circulation, flexibility and mobility problems, slow metabolism, muscle strength, cellulite and more.

Orbitrek Elite

The Orbitrek Elite provides a total body workout without the harmful impact on your joints. It combines waist slimming cardio training with the power of resistance training. Now you can sculpt, tone and define your upper and lower body and get a full cardiovascular workout in just 20 minutes a day. Orbitrek focuses on all the major muscle groups and has been university tested and proven to burn maximum calories. It has no impact on your joints and simulates a natural running motion. It activates six of the major muscles groups at the same time. It sculpts tone and defines your arms, back, shoulders, chest, hips, legs and buttocks in just a few minutes a day.

For those who do not have space for a home gym

Iron Gym – Verimark: Iron Gym is the multi function training bar that combines every exercise you need to build a powerful upper body. It is the ultimate body sculpting and strength building tool that helps shape the upper body and tones your midsection. Iron Gym is so versatile, one piece of equipment to do pull/chin ups in 3 grip positions (narrow, neutral, and wide, sit ups, crunches, push ups, and tricep dips. It is the perfect choice for people who want to get fit without buying expensive, bulky gym equipment can be installed quickly without tools or fasteners - holds up to 136kg and is designed to fit doorframes 24 to 32 inches wide, with doorway trim or moulding up to 3.5 inches wide. This piece of equipment is ideal for your home or office. With the single unit, you can work your chest, arms, shoulders, back, abs, and more!

Ab Doer Twist, Verimanrk: The Ab Doer Twist combines muscle toning exercises with fat burning aerobic activity to help you lose weight and firm and tone your muscles, all at the same time while you’re seated in one convenient, secure and comfortable position. It has a 360° approach to total fitness and targets the abdominals, shoulders, upper back and chest, legs, hips and buttocks. It comes with an instructional DVD and has various resistance settings. It will not put strain on your back and joints because you are seated in a comfortable position. 

Glomail also has an extensive range of exercising DVD’s like Tae-Bo; S.W.A.T; Zumba and Hip Hop Abs that are ideal for those wanting to exercise in limited space. They also have the AB Solution 360 degrees body sculpting system, which uses EMS technology to work your whole mid section, front, back, and sides with no effort at all!

Exercise balls have also become very popular over the past few years and there are wonderful workouts available to go with this simple exercise tool. Visit http://www.exerciseballworkouts.net for more information.