You may have heard it being said before that going to the gym is more motivating than working out on your own but I personally think it isn’t true for all.  This is especially true when you consider the way fitness industries and companies are rounding up every nook and corner to come up with innovation for home gym equipment.  Newest models of home gyms breaking into the market feature ways to get you more engaged and to stay and get more motivated. Goals and games are just some of these features.

Whether or not you are into these new thrills or just really aim to get some fitness work done, there’s no question that the best place to do so when you’re pressed for time or budget is by setting up your own home gym.  It is convenient and can be inexpensive if you wise up before you actually buy an equipment or two for your home gym.

When setting up your own home gym, three of the most important things you should consider are your budget, your space and your fitness needs.  Not necessarily in that order.  With a ceiling for how much you are willing to spend, you will know which products to consider and which are out of the question.  A smaller space means you need to choose something compact or if at all possible, foldable equipment.  In terms of fitness needs, you need to evaluate first on whether or not you are after some cardiovascular workout, just toning, real muscle building, or a mix of these.  Once you’ve got that figured out, you should be able to shortlist the many equipment available for you.

This article should be able to help you learn a few things about:

• Choosing the right home equipment for you, whether you should get an all-in-one system, a cardio machine or both.
• All-in-one home gym systems, what they are, what they can or cannot do and how much they cost.
• The different kinds of cardio machines available (elliptical trainers, treadmills and treadclimbers), what each kind can do and what they cannot and how much they cost.
• Choose which all-in-one system and/or cardio machine works best for you in terms of need, budget and space.
• How you can score the best deals when purchasing a home gym equipment.

All-In-One Home Gyms: Weider, Body Solid, and Bowflex

All-in-one systems are a great way to bring the gym into your home.  They allow you to tone up or build muscles minus the travel time to get to the gym, the waiting time to use the equipment there and the bulk and clutter free weights and workout benches .  They’re compact, there are plenty of sizes and mechanisms to choose from and, lastly, they pretty much cost just as much as a gym membership or even less.

Home gyms have their limitations though and three of the more prominent ones are (1) most all-in-one systems or home gyms are purely for strength training alone and not for cardio except perhaps for the occasional units that include a rowing station like Bowflex.  In any case, when you get an all-in-one home gym, you don’t expect to do cardio with it.  (2) You can’t expect to build huge muscles with home gyms because most models have very limited resistance.  You have to be willing to shell out more money, provide more space or both to be able to do extreme muscle building with a home gym.  (3)The more compact ones make use of rods or bands for resistance and some people find that hard to get used to.

3 Reasons I Like Bowflex Home Gyms

There are plenty of reasons why people love Bowflex’s home fitness systems but my top three:

1. There is a wide range of price for every entry level from cheap models for beginners to pricey models for fitness buffs.  The models boasts of resistance that run from 210 to 400+ lbs.

2. The resistance is different from conventional weight, but that’s not a bad thing. The weight is consistent through out the movement, which will help prevent injury and promote an overall better strength.

3. Excellent support and training. Customer support is great and the manufacturer will deliver parts if broken.

A Look at Weider Home Fitness Equipment

For beginners and for those who are under a limited budget, Weider provides some of the most affordable entry-level home gyms in the market.  For as little as $100, you can avail of some pretty good equipment for toning like its Door Gym.  But the price usually comes with a payoff and in the case of the Door Gym, your door should be sturdy enough. The equipment is usually better installed from the outside too because of the additional support the door framing provides.  In any case, it is a good option if budget is your main concern.  But don’t expect much in terms of resistance, more exercises, warranty or quality.

Basically, what you would get from the Weider’s offerings are toning and not some serious muscle building.  Weider’s home fitness equipment mostly make use of body weight resistance with the highest additional resistance you can expect to hit only 240 lbs which you can get from the their most expensive offering, the Max Weight System.  While the brand’s home gym models may not exactly be true value for ones money, Weider Home Fitness Equipment are, in two words, “good enough” for any beginner to get started with when trying to get out of a gym membership and doing some toning at home.  You might need to look for exercise guides though because Weider usually do not include a handbook in their home gyms.  Check out these reviews from users of some of Weider more popular systems: the Weider X-Factor Plus Gym and the Weider Total Body Works 5000 Gym.

The Body Solid Gym Selection

Two of the biggest advantages of Body Solid home gyms among all other exercise systems are perhaps their excellent warranty and crazy sturdy build.  Other than that, the brand doesn’t provide much innovation but if you’re not into the frills to begin with, it could probably provide the best equipment for you.

Body Solid home gyms make use of stacked weights so you can be sure you’re getting a familiar gym feel compared to the bands or rods of most home gyms.  This does, however, also mean that you will not be able to move your exercise equipment around or tow it away for easy storage.  The brand’s units’ price range starts at a high $800 dollars and can reach to a little under $2,000. But you will get what you pay for and in the case of Body Solid, you will usually get a lifetime warranty (not that you would ever need it because like I said earlier, it has a crazy sturdy, solid build).

In terms of resistance, Body Solid home gyms only provide to as much as 210 lbs of resistance for the higher-end ones and just around 160 lbs for the lower-end models.  As far as I know, these aren’t upgradeable. If you’re thinking of bulking up to more than what any of these models provide, you might want to get a different brand of home gym.  In any case, Body Solid has pretty solid ratings in review sites although most often complain of assembly issues due to outdated guides.  Here are some of the more helpful reviews from users who say that they are “very satisfied with new Home Gym” and that Body Solid is a “great small home gym”.

Getting the Best Deal: Buy Used All-In-One Workout Machines

You can get the best deal by buying your home fitness equipment second-hand. Because many people buy their equipment and only end up using it for a couple months, then lose motivation, the equipment is often near-new.

Cardio Home Fitness Equipment: Ellipticals, Treadclimbers, and Treadmills

If you’re thinking of setting up your own home gym, you simply can’t do away without a cardio machine.  While you can do some dancing at home (which is what I did before I got a my own unit) or you can run outdoors, cardio machines have the advantage of being able to give you more intensity and allowing you to easily do interval training which is the best way to burn fat.  You also get to watch your progress as you go along through the built-in monitors. The more advanced ones can even provide you with various programs or goals to keep you motivated.  In fact you can even get some toning done with some machines; a rare feature to find but it is definitely included in some.  There are different types of cardio machine; there’s always something for everyone and no doubt there’s something that’s just right for you.

Treadclimbers

Treadclimbers are cardio machines that put together the mechanisms of a stair climber, an elliptical and a treadmill.  A treadclimber features two treadles that move up and down imitating the action of a stairclimber.  Each treadle carries a moving belt that mimics the function of a treadmill.  The combination of movements along with the soft padding of the treadles akin the treadclimber to an elliptical where you can get a low-impact, high-intensity workout.  You can work your muscles or tone through treadclimbers and not just do pure cardio.  However, these machines have limited speeds with most approximating at 4mph.  Treadclimbers are perhaps the most expensive cardio machines available to date with prices ranging from a grand for lower-end models to a little over $3,000 for brand new, home grade, high-end units.

Ellipticals

Ellipticals or elliptical trainers are low-impact, high-intensity cardio machines.  They are specifically designed for people who cannot withstand or would prefer to reduce impact on the knee joints caused by jogging or running.  Its main mechanism involves two foot pedals that are attached to a mechanical motor or drive system which functions as a control system for the intensity of your workout. The controls for the motor or intensity of the machine are connected to a dashboard and with a touch of a button you can make your workout either easier or harder.

You simply step on the pedals and use your leg to power or start the elliptical.  Leg power will drive the pedals to glide up and down and you do not need to lift your foot.  The movement mimics the natural movement of the legs when running, walking, jogging or climbing stairs ( at least that is how it should work ideally) but you won’t be lifting your feet as you would with a treadclimber or treadmill.  How natural a movement you are going to experience depends on the make of your elliptical so choosing a good one is of the essence.  Most elliptical trainers also allow you to work your upper body through the grip or handles that you can use to power the machines as well. Toning can also be a part of ellipticals if you find the right one.

Good, durable and reliable elliptical trainers usually sit within the $600.00 price range and above.  A feature-laden and commercial grade one can run to as much as $6,000.00.  I’ve seen a few brand new ones that cost just below$100 but these are usually mini trainers or elliptical-like trainers.

Treadmills

A treadmill can be defined simply as a cardio machine that allows you to run, walk or jog in place.  This works through a conveyor belt that moves either through manual or electric power.  Manual treadmills stay stationary unless you start stepping on the belt and walking or running on it.  These treadmills are often smaller and portable and sensibly a better choice for home use.  Although, currently there are plenty of electric powered ones that are as portable in the market that is affordable and provide better motivational goals or programs.

Electric-powered treadmills have better features with programs that allow you to do interval training through varying inclines and treadmill speeds that can be manually entered into the dashboard or imbedded in the machine’s built-in programs.  Treadmills have been around for a long time and are very reliable especially if yours come with a good name.  Dependable treadmills that can withstand regular use stand cost about $1,000.00.  If you’re using it with someone else who also regularly uses it for running, you have to start looking at a $1,500-$2,000 price tag. For state-of-the-art treadmills, the price can go to as high as around $8,000.00

• Choosing between new and used equipment.
• Some helpful tips before you decide to buy your used Bowflex.
• How to get the very best deal and the most bang for your buck.
• Where to get the best deals online and off.

In these difficult times, money seems to be tight for just about everyone.  However, we have certain requirements in life whether the money is there or not.  Those requirements include maintaining our physical health.  If we suddenly find ourselves out of work, being in great shape allows us to have the energy to push forward find new work and even make our lives better than they were before.   Sure times are tough right now, but that's no reason to throw in the towel.

If you haven't been keeping up on a regular exercise routine, even though money is tight, now is a better time than ever before to invest in a piece of home exercise equipment.  Bowflex obviously jumps to the top of the list because of it's versatility, durability, and ease of use and storage.  But these machines can be quite costly.  It's like the bill collector passing judgment on you for not making a payment on time... it's ridiculous.  If you had the money you would have made the payment right?   The same goes for purchasing the needed equipment for a home gym.   So what are the solutions?

When we are trying to save money, one of the first things that pops up is buying things used.   It's the same for exercise equipment.  There are dozens of benefits of buying used gear, if you know what to look for.  You have to be careful that you're not getting suckered into buying a lemon.

Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym List Price: $799.00 Sale Price: $449.00 You save: $350.00 (44%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

If you've already made up your mind to buy used Bowflex equipment, then you should keep a couple things in mind.  First of all, do you have any kind of guarantee if the product turns out to be faulty?  Some products such as a full Bowflex home gym has replaceable parts, such as the Power Rods.  If an item has replaceable parts that are not too costly to get or install, then you're starting out in pretty good shape.  Check some pricings and make sure that if something were to go wrong that you would be able to afford to fix it.  You don't want your new (or should I say used) investment just sitting and collecting dust in the garage.

Keep in mind that Bowflex offers warrantys and guarantees on most of their products.  These warrantys and guarantees do not necessarily cross over when you are purchasing a used product, although they may.  If they do, undoubtedly the seller will be using this as a selling point in their sales description.   Great information to know.

Choosing Between New and Used

If you are in the market for a used Bowflex for sale then you will have your choice of many that are on the market. This is because Bowflex is very popular exercise equipment and they are durably built, so they last for a long time. Bowflex has several models that they market including the Bowflex Ultimate, the Ultimate 2, the Bowflex Extreme and Extreme 2, not to mention the Bowflex Blaze.

When you find your used Bowflex for sale it will usually carry a price tag that is roughly half as much as a new Bowflex machine. A used Bowflex for sale is almost always in good condition, because of the fact that the bows themselves are engineered to maintain their tensile strength and the rest of the machine is solid and durable construction.

Where to Find a Used Bowflex For Sale

A second hand sporting goods store is an excellent place to find a used Bowflex for sale but you are always going to find a broader choice and better prices shopping online. One problem that you may face when shopping for and buying a used Bowflex for sale is transporting it to your home. If you don’t have a pick-up truck then maybe you can convince a friend who does to do the transporting for you.

Tips Before You Buy a Used Bowflex

If you buy a Bowflex machine online it can be shipped but because they are quite heavy the shipping charges can run up, so you have to do some math to make sure that the savings from buying it online offset the cost of the shipping. If you are interested in having a lot of features on your Bowflex machine then you should shop for one of the newer models but if you’re not interested in added features one of the older models should work just fine.

How to Get the Best Deal

If you are in the market for a Bowflex fitness machine then one option is to buy a used Bowflex. Bowflex equipment is durably built and lasts for years and the bows themselves are designed to never wear out, so you should have no trouble finding a used Bowflex in great shape. One thing to remember if you are going to buy a used Bowflex is that it has to be transported to your home, so you are going to need a truck or a mini-van with a large passenger capacity.

Another option is to rent a small trailer that you can attach to the back of your vehicle. If you don’t have a tow ball on the back of your vehicle, remember to check the price on renting a tow-bar with the trailer. These things will be required if you are not buying your used Bowflex online, which is where you are going to find the best prices and more choices and options.

Research Your Used Bowflex Before You Buy

You should try to make yourself familiar with all the various models of Bowflex fitness gyms that have been marketed over the years and one thing to remember is that the older the model, the fewer feature options it is going to have. As Bowflex produced each newer model, they included in it more optional equipment that could be added onto it for various reasons.

Where to Start Finding Deals on Used Bowflexes?

There are several places to look for a used Bowflex and one place to start is your local sporting goods store that features in used sporting goods equipment. There are a couple of chain stores that specialize in used sporting goods equipment and you can find them in the yellow pages. Another place is the classified advertisement section of your local news paper. You are always going to find the best deals online but you have to make sure that your shipping costs don’t exceed your savings from buying online.

If you want to buy online consider searching Craigslist and doing a local pickup so you can dodge the high shipping costs for a machine like this.

See larger image Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym (Sports) List Price: $799.00 USD New From: $449.00 In Stock Release date September 22, 2008.

• Links to various Bowflex Motivator 2 reviews.
• A guide to where you can download copies of both the Bowflex Motivator 2 Owner's Manual and Fitness Guide, and the Bowflex Motivator 2 Assembly Instructions.
• List of the Bowflex Motivator 2 specifications.

Your Next Best Gym Equipment

One of the more well-loved home gym equipment there is is the Bowflex Motivator 2.  For a fraction of a cost, you can get just as much workout as you would from your average Bowflex equipment.  If you’re looking for something that would keep your body in shape and tone you up just right, with no heavy muscle building in mind, this is the home gym for you.

• More than 50 available exercises
• 210 pounds of Power Rod resistance
• Lat pull-down station
• Leg curl/leg extensions station
• Sliding seat rail for aerobic rowing
• Triple-function hand grip/ankle cuff for a variety of exercises
• Includes training manual
• Dimensions: 34 by 84 by 78 inches
• Workout area: 100 by 78 inches
• Folds to a compact size (28 by 34 by 6.5 inches) and includes transport wheels for easy storage
• 300-pound maximum weight capacity

The Bowflex Motivator II employs the Power Rods as resistance just like all the other Bowflex equipment.  If you don’t have a background on these power rods, these are simply Bowflex’s version of weight plates.  Bowflex gives a lifetime warranty on all their Power Rods and while they usually give a 5-to 7-year warranty on most of their equipment, the Bowflex Motivator 2 gets just 3 years.

In any case, all Bowflex equipment are sturdily made and continue to be in demand, even the discontinued ones.  These make for a pretty reasonable market value if and IF you should want to sell in the future.

In terms of compactness and mobility, the Bowflex Motivator 2 wouldn’t be on the top of the list, although it still does have a fold-up feature and wheels that would come in handy eventually.  It is 34 inches wide, 78 inches long, and 84 inches high that folds up to a 34 by 84 by 78 inches.  It comes unassembled but it is very easy to put together.  It can go to as high as 210 in terms of resistance but isn’t upgradeable like most Bowflex equipment and this is why it isn’t an ideal tool in body building.

The Equipment That Motivates

The Bowflex Motivator 2 can help you build just enough muscle to make you look and feel good.  Your body will be in shape and you get to burn calories even when you’re not working out, because we all know that’s what muscle does.

Kick start a 30 day bowflex workout with the Bowflex Motivator II Home Gym now.  If you’re just beginning to find your way around establishing a workout routine, it’s best to start slow and steady.  20 minutes a day with the Bowflex Motivator 2 should be enough for the next 30 days. 

Do the following exercises in 10 to 15 repetitions, with 30-45 seconds of rest in between, and you should be able to get a full body workout that will keep you motivated: bench press, seated lateral rows, standing lateral shoulder raise, standing biceps curl, lying triceps extension, leg extension, leg curl, seated calf press, low back extension and resisted abdominal crunch.  The Bowflex Motivator 2 Home Gym lets you do about 50 exercises, so remember to vary your routine and increase your resistance as you progress and as your body requires.  Also, be sure check out videos on using the equipment for better execution.

Bowflex Motivator 2 Specs

Bowflex Motivator 2, like any other Bowflex home gym equipment, has a lot to offer when it comes to getting fit and strengthening your muscles. Though it is not recommended for heavy body building purposes, you can still get the body that you want with the help of the Bowflex Motivator 2.

The following are the Bowflex Motivator specifications:

• Brand: Bowflex
• Fitness Type: Weight Training Equipment
• Sports Type: Personal Fitness
• Weight Training Equipment Type: Home Gyms · Leg Presses and Machines · Weight Training Accessories
• Resistance Type: Resistance Rods
• Target Muscles: Back · Arms · Shoulders · Legs · Chest
• Number of Exercises: 50 Exercises
• Max Resistance Weight: 210 lbs.

What's the Difference Between the Motivator 2 and 1?

Bowflex Motivator 2 is a more enhanced version of the Bowflex Motivator 1. Both home gym equipment are suited for people who only want to tone up and stay in shape. These home gym equipment cannot live up to your expectations if you want to perform heavy body building routines. While the Bowflex Motivator 2 is equipped only with 210 resistance, the Bowflex Motivator 1 can be adjusted to 310 and 410 resistances.

There aren't much differences between these two Bowflex home gym equipment, they in fact have more similarities. However, with Bowflex Motivator 2's more enhanced features such as the leg press and leg extension/curl, triple function hand grips, and mobility, exercising with this home gym equipment feels a lot better.

Bowflex Motivator Reviews

For a more in depth knowledge about the Bowflex Motivator 2, and to help you determine if the Bowflex Motivator 2 is a right home gym choice, check out some of this review by Eddie Lovelace and another review by Travis Dockweiler.

Download the Manual

To help you assemble your Bowflex Motivator 2, make sure you get the right information from this official Bowflex Motivator 2 Assembly Instructions. It pays to follow everything written in this manual to avoid injuries and accidents from using the Bowflex Motivator 2.

Aside from this, there is also this Bowflex Motivator 2 Owner's Manual and Fitness Guide, which will help you perform all the exercises available with this home gym equipment.

Bowflex Exercise Equipment-Xtreme 2

If you own a Bowflex exercise equipment, you have to have a good set of Bowflex workouts to go with it in order to maximize its potential as a home gym. Do a quick search online to find Bowflex exercises that are effective and easy to follow. You would like to pick exercises that fit your fitness goals. If you’re aiming for a more toned body, for example, pick a set of Bowflex workouts that have fat burning and body toning exercises. If you want to aim specific parts in your body to tone or build, pick out Bowflex exercises that work on those body parts, like your thigh or abs for example.

To maximize your Bowflex exercise equipment, you also need to make sure you create a consistent workout schedule. Short but consistent Bowflex exercises that last for 20-25 minutes are better than long, inconsistent ones like 45 minutes today, 50 minutes the next day and skipping the third day due to fatigue. Shorter Bowflex workouts make it easier for you to stick to your schedule.

When you use your Bowflex exercise equipment, it’s wise to take note of your repetitions and amount of resistance. Jot them down on your notebook and use the data when you’re ready to put variations into your Bowflex exercises. You should vary your Bowflex workouts because everytime your body gets more efficient with your existing routines, it burns lesser calories. This eliminates boredom on your part too, so mix up your Bowflex exercises every now and then.