Training in your own home gym

There is many people around who will tell you that you can´t get too far training on a home gym. ' It may work to some extent for an absolute beginner, but you need a well equiped gym on the long ride' they say. However, I can tell you on my own experience that training at home, though it has some limitations, is highly effective.

Training gear

For the purpose of training at our own home you will need some free space first of all. If you can have a whole room for our "gym", even if it is a small one, it would be much better. If this is not an option, you will need at least some space to place your iron.

At first, you need some weight plates (around 100 lb would be just right to get started), a pair of dumbells and a straight bar. To work your chest, push ups will be fine at first but a bench will be of need later on. A chinup bar comes handy too, as it will do wonders for your back development. There are adjustable chinup bars which fit at an open door or between two close walls.

It is recommended to have some foam or another type of floor padding to allow you lying on it for the required exercises.

The exercises

With the above equipment, you will be able to accomplish a great variety of exercises. Here is a sample list of all you can do:

* Bench Press (works your chest, triceps and shoulders)
* Deadlift (works your whole body, especially your back and pulling muscles)
* Squats (For your cuadriceps)
* Pull ups (Get ready for a wide back using this)
* Barbell Row (Back density)
* Military Press (Shoulders)
* Barbell Biceps Curl (Biceps, obvious :))
* Dumbell Biceps Curl (ditto)
* Close Grip Bench Press (Triceps)
* Skull Crushers (Triceps also)
* Upright Row (Deltoids, trapezius)
* Lateral Raises (Deltoids)
* Calf Raises (Calves)

Etc....

Advantages of training at home

* Saving time: You don't need to go all the way to the gym and back. You don't need to wait your turn for a spot or machine, and you will not waste your tame chatting with other gym goers.

* Privacy: In the intimacy of your home you will use the weight you exactly need, being it a little one or tons of it. No one will give you strange looks or annoying advice for using too much, or will look you above his/her shoulder for using a light weight. This is also related to the ever present human ego that makes us put on the bar more weight than we can securely handle when there is someone looking at us.

* Availability: Your faithful home gym is there whenever you need it on a 24/7 basis. You may hit the weights on 3:00 a.m on Sunday if you like, or do some fast maintenance sets when you feel the need without the burden of having to dress up and going to an external gym.

* It is cheaper: Training gear may be expensive at first, but it saves you money later as you don´t have to pay for your monthly gym membership. Saved money may be invested on buying more weight plates or other equipment.

I hope this article helps you on building your own home gym and getting a strong body. Now go!!

Maokoto