With the New Year come and gone, the vow of a better body sits at the top of the list for a New Year’s resolution.  Your options are to either join a gym or invest in your own equipment.  If you are choosing to invest in your own home gym and you decide on a universal workout machine, (one that encompasses multiple machines for different body parts all within one system), then there are some very important factors that you need to be aware of before your final purchasing decision.   To me, these factors are deal breakers when faced with the tough choice of which machine best suits my needs.

When choosing a machine, you need to ensure you choose one with a good range of motion.  By range of motion, I mean you are able to press the equipment all the way forward or upward and all the way down or back with extra room allowed for extended flexing and stretching of your muscles.  An example of poor range of motion would be the chest press or fly.  After you press your selected weight forward or upward, you should be able to come back down past your beginning position for added stretch to the muscle you are training.  If the machine clanks to a stop before you are in a good stretched position, then this piece of equipment is not for you.

Another factor to consider in your home system is the smoothness of the weights or cables when pressing or lowering the weight.  The weights should not catch or grab when being pressed or lowered.  If using cable, the cable line should be smooth and taught at all times.

Nothing can put a damper on your workout any faster than to have poor equipment. If you have to continually stop to see why your weights are grabbing, clanking or not feeling smooth, its takes away the momentum of your workout.  Generally, better quality machines do run a little higher on price but,  in this case, you get what you pay for.

I can with confidence recommend any of the Body Solid
gym equipment from bigfitness.net.  Most gyms carry Body Solid and it is now also available for use in personal home gyms.  If you are interested in viewing their products at wholesale prices, then Big Fitness.net is the place to go. Just remember, you get what you pay for and no piece of equipment will get you in shape without your motivation to use it.  How do you envision your body for the New Year?

With the Body Solid equipment you’ll be able to make that vision reality. Check them out at –


The best piece of home gym equipment for improving core stability is the stability ball, also called the exercise ball, balance ball or Swiss ball. Stability balls come in a variety of colors and sizes. Generally, certain colors pertain to the particular height of the ball. So, it is important not to make your decision on a exercise ball based on your favorite color but, on the correct size that accommodates your height.

If your stability ball is too small, your core center is not as active as it should be and you will have the tendency to lean forward if lifting weights while sitting on the ball. If you are positioned too high, then you are working at a much more unstable position. This is fine for some that would like more of a challenge but I would not recommend it for beginners or those who are lifting heavy weights. Just imagine rolling off the back of the ball with heavy weight in your hands.

Choosing the right stability ball for your workout is pretty simple. There are usually 3-4 sizes to choose from for heights ranging from 4′ 7′ to 6′ and taller. You can pick the correct size ball by checking the angle of your knees while seated in the middle of the inflated ball.

For example, while sitting on the ball, your hips and knees should be close to parallel with the floor (at a 90 degree angle). If you do not have access to an already inflated stability ball or you are ordering online, you can check your seating position by squatting with your back against a wall and lowering down until your knees are at a 90 degree position. Mark the wall and measure the height that you need.

Here’s a handy chart for you:

Stability Ball Size Chart:

User’s Height Ball Diameter

under 4′10″ 16″ or 42cm
4′11″ – 5′4″ 21″ or 55cm
5′5″ – 5′11′ 25″ or 65cm
6′ and taller 29″ or 75cm

Order the correct size ball and don’t waste money on one that is too big or too small. A good stability ball should pump up firm and not feel flimsy or mushy while sitting on it. These fun exercise balls are made of PVC and are burst resistant. If you are using weights on your ball, it is usually better to use a “slow deflate” ball. These “slow deflate” balls, will slowly deflate in the event of a puncture. SPRI makes excellent balls that accommodate this need.

Stability balls are fun and versatile additions to any workout program. I have found few fitness devices that offer as much deep layer conditioning of your abdominal muscles. The stability ball is not just a fad and I see it as an effective piece of equipment for every fitness enthusiast

Now that you know how to find the perfect ball for your height, get started today with a stabilty ball today and be on your way to feeling better about yourself and your fitness future.

Using your step bench safely and properly is extremely important in injury prevention. Vigorous stepping provides the cardiovascular benefits of running but stresses the joints little more than walking. Even with this in mind, there are still individuals who should not opt to use the step bench. There are also guidelines that one should follow to ensure they are using their step effectively.

1) When using the bench platform, the knee should be at no more than a 90 degree angle. Over angling the knee can cause ligament stress and possible knee injury.

2) The entire foot should be placed on the step platform while stepping or lunging on or off the step. Never step by just placing the ball of your foot on the edge of the step. If you do this, you will soon find out why you shouldn’t!

3) Never use homemade step benches. These can be slippery and also slide out from under neath you while stepping causing injury. You should always use step benches specially designed for stepping. Benches I recommend are the Reebok Step System or The Original Health Club Step.

4) Beginners and individuals who are less fit, should begin with a low step. The platform should be on the floor with no risers underneath or using only one riser per side. As you advance and feel more comfortable, you can add additional riser height. More advanced individuals, can add height up to 12 inches. Always be conscious of the position of your knee while stepping ensuring you are not passing a 90 degree angle. Pay attention to how your knees feel while stepping or lunging on and off the step.

5) As you step off the platform, stay close to the bench. If you step too far away, you will miss your next step up. Not only will this hurt, it would be extremely embarrassing if your are in gym.

6) Obese people should not begin their fitness program using the step bench. If you are over-weight, it would be much harder to lift your body vertically and there would be too much stress on the knees, ankles and quadriceps. I would suggest that obese individuals begin with a level walking program and weight resistance program focusing on strengthening their ankles, knees and quadriceps. **PLEASE NOTE: If you are considered obese or have been inactive for some time, consult you health care provider before beginning any exercise regime.**

7) Individuals with chronic knee pain or arthritic conditions, should be cautious using the step. Using the step bench could aggravate such conditions.

Following these safety guidelines can ensure an effective safe workout. Keep it simple and safe when learning the process of bench stepping. Soon with your persistence and efforts, you will be reaping the benefits of a more fit body you desire.

With today’s gas prices and heavy job demands, home gyms are becoming a necessity in achieving a consistent exercise regime. Two types of home gyms are complete home gym systems and free weight home gyms. Free weight home gyms consist of various separate pieces of equipment such as dumbbells, barbells, resistance bands, stability balls and benches. While it may be cost effective when starting out by buying these separate fitness pieces as you go, you could otherwise make a one time investment in a complete home gym system.

Home gym systems are also known as multi gyms, universal machines, or multi-purpose gyms. Universal home gyms are generally more expensive and can take up more space then free weight equipment. However, they can be easily positioned in a corner of a room or garage. Home gyms systems provide health club quality machine training as well as offer a full body strength training workout all in one piece of equipment.

The complete home gym system comes in various forms of weight resistance formats. The most common is the traditional weight stacked gym where you adjust the weight with a pin, like the Smith Machine which is used with free weight bars and plates. The Bowflex Home Gym uses power rods instead of the free weight system.

With a complete home gym system you will be able to train with up to 50 different weight training exercises. Also, more than one person can workout on this equipment simultaneously, an important factor in encouraging other family members to join in on a healthy fitness regime.

The investment in a complete home gym system is well worth the money. Just think of the time and money you will save by not having to travel to the gym. You’ll have a multitude of strength training exercises at your finger tips -right in your own home.

Get started today on a healthied future. Shop the available home gym systems for the one that fits you and your family’s needs.

Now its over, no more excuses as to why you can’t work out! No longer can you use the excuse, that you would rather be watching TV, be in another part of your home or you travel too much to be able to stay on a consistent workout program. Exercise bands, also known as resistance bands, fitness bands or workout bands, are so convenient and portable that they can be used anywhere.

You can use them in any part of your home and they are compact enough that they will fit into a small bag for travel. Some exercise bands come with unique accessories like door anchors and ankle straps, allowing you the same benefits as a complete home gym system while saving you hundreds of dollars.

Exercise bands are hollow, stretchy, elastic bands or tubes. The resistance tubing comes in various colors and generally each color represents a different degree of resistance or weight used throughout your exercise. You are in no way limited to the number of exercises you can do with the workout bands. Anything than can be done via weight machines, dumbbells, or straight bars, can be replicated using the bands.

With this in mind, you may want to purchase bands that come with the ankle straps and door attachments such as the Bodylastics Home Gym System. The ankle attachments allow you to perform leg and lower body exercises while the door attachment allows you to train your back, triceps and biceps among many other exercises. This can be done by simply attaching the band system to any door in your home, hotel or any place where there is a door.

The unique benefit to using resistance tubes is that your muscles have continuous resistance during all motions of movement throughout the exercise. When using free weights, you have a pause in resistance, usually at the top and bottom of the exercise, allowing the muscle to relax before contracting again.

Exercise bands are wonderful tools for shaping and toning specific areas of your body. They offer virtually unlimited uses for improving flexibility, strength and mobility. When traveling, they can be easily packed into your suitcase with very little added weight to your bag.

Exercise bands can be used indoors, outdoors, at home or in hotel rooms. You can always fit in a few reps while your favorite TV show is on. Can you think of any excuses not to try exercise bands?

I didn’t think so. They’ll help you get closer to having the body you deserve! .