I know, a grand is a lot of cash……but in reality it’s all about perspective.
What are you getting out of that $1,000? (assuming that you actually follow through and use the equipment).
Would you pay $1,000 to:
- NOT have your knees hurt every time you walk down stairs, up stairs or bend down?
- NOT get headaches throughout the day?
- NOT have your back hurt all day every day?
- NOT be tired and worn down from doing just the basics of everyday life?
- NOT be overweight?
- NOT have the medical issues that are associated with being overweight (diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol)?
- NOT have to pay every month for those medications?
Now, I understand it takes time to workout, I’ll provide the excuse for you,
“I Just don’t Have the time.”
You watch about that much TV in a day
and with a home gym you can’t even pull the “I don’t have the time to drive back and forth BS”.
How about this perspective? One of my clients is a very successful businessman. He often is asked to speak to various groups. One thing he tells every group is that you are going to spend time and money on your health. The truth is the process can be a proactive one or a reactive one. Money spent on your health can take the form of a personal trainer, massage therapist and a gym membership or, it can be money spent on cardiologists, anesthesiologist, and plastic surgeons. Either way, you will spend money.
Same goes for time. You can go to the gym or, to the doctor’s office. It’s up to you. Either way, you will spend time. Some people say things like “I hate to work out”. Try sitting in the emergency room for a few hours and then get back to me. Working out may not seem so bad. Much like a car, a little preventative maintenance can go a long way. However, in so many ways the body is better than a car. With some good hard work you can turn back the odometer on the body.- Michael Boyle (go read the whole thing, Only one Body)
For $1,000: Serious Weight Lifter (Seriously minimalist approach).
- Squat stands: $425 (a rack works best but tall squat stands with the pullup attachment work well and are cheaper)
- A quality bar: I prefer the Texas Power bar (more expensive) but I’m guessing the Rippetoe bar is a good bar also although I’ve never used one. $299 (Rippetoe bar)
- Some weights: You can get these on Craigslist or Play it Again Sports for $.50 a pound if you look around, sometimes cheaper. (315lbs= $156)
- Blast Straps: $55.95 The TRX works here too but these are waaaay cheaper. Can’t do as many movements but they do the job and are far superior for suspended pushups plus almost $150 cheaper (we’re trying to keep this under $1,000 bucks folks…)
For $1,000: Not so Serious Lifter (who still wants to kick ass)
- Bench : $175 Any sturdy, comfortable (this doesn’t mean pillow soft) flat bench will work.
- Power Blocks: $338 Bars are great for serious lifters concerned about lifting certain numbers but dumbbells give the average person more flexibility in their training and provide for generally safer loading.
- TRX: $199 Get the pro package with the door anchor (which can be used for bands also). The TRX allows for more exercises than Blast Straps plus you need a place to anchor Blast Straps, the TRX door hanger solves that problem.
- Bands: $70 A good all around band pack from EliteFTS. You can pick and choose but this should cover your needs for the most part.
- Stability Ball: $45-55. Good for mixing things up sometimes, core work. Under 5’7 get a 55cm, over get a 65cm really tall 6’2 or so opt for the 65cm. Get the Perform Better ball, easily the best.
- Foam Roller: $19.95 Again Perform Better here.
- Sliders: $10 for 4, Very versatile, lots of great movements, especially lower body and core. Don’t buy the fitness ones either ($40) go to the hardware store $10 for 4 big furniture movers.
- TRX
- Sliders
- Stability Ball
- Weight Vest (not in the video)
- 55′ conditioning rope (not in the video)
- Bunch of bands
- Kettlebells: 30, 35, 60, 70
If I had to choose just one thing for a home gym I would go with the TRX. It’s $200 but it really is a gym in a, very small, bag. Fact is you can get in a really good workout with one of these and nothing else, plus it’s portable as hell for those of you who travel.
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