One of the best investments I have made over the years is a home gym. I used to go to the gym several times a week. The venture took 2 – 2 1/2 hours, when you include getting ready along with travel time to and from the gym. As I got older with more responsibilities: wife, kids and a demanding work schedule, it was just not possible to get away for 4-5 days a week for 2 1/2 hours. My workout usually lasts an hour or 1 hour and 1/2 hours when cardio is added. Therefore, an hour of my time was wasted going to and from the gym.
I wanted the flexibility to workout at anytime and have a commute that was less than 5 minutes. The only place that fit that criteria was my garage. I acquired a home gym machine about 6 years ago from a company called Powertec. It is a gym quality machine.
I then slowing acquired free weights from craigslist, garage sales and with store coupons from stores like Dicks Sporting Goods, Sports Authority and Academy Sports. I have an elliptical machine that was a gift from a co-worker of my wife.I have a jump rope, abs wheel, ez curl bar and a barbell.
The most expensive weights were the pairs of 45, 35 and 25 lb Olympic plates for my barbell. I also have a Heavy Bag that was obtain by luck from Amazon. The heavy bag cost $299.99 originally and was in my Wish List on Amazon. Now if you are family with Amazon you know they do dynamic pricing you know that the prices of products change sometimes several times a week. Well one day the price for the Heavy Bag was $29.99, instead of $299.99. The program that Amazon uses messed up and put the decimal place one step too far.
I immediately added it to my cart and paid for it. I thought there was no way Amazon would authorize the purchase at that price given that it was an obvious mistake; I was wrong. Sure enough within two weeks a huge box was dropped off by a truck and sure enough it was my heavy bag.
You too can build a descent home gym if you are patient. Check out Craigslist, Garage Sales and look for store coupons. The home gym machines I have found on Craigslist are affordable. Usually they are being sold by people who are moving and cannot be bothered to disassembly them for packing. Dumbbells are a great find at garage sales. Good luck building your home gym: Having the flexibility to workout at 1 am or 5 am whenever you want takes away one of your excuses.
I started with a bench and dumbbells 15 yrs ago in a small room of my house. The best deliberate choice I've made. Only problem with used weights is it usually means someone gave up on continuing to use them. Thank you for encouraging others in wholesome and meaningful choices.
Thanks. I try. I have found a home gym takes away the excuse to not workout. It can be done on the cheap if you do what you and I did and accumulate pieces over the years.