5 Essential Items to Start Your Home Gym

Posted on June 4, 2012 by MGL FItness

Thinking about building a home gym? With so many options available to you this can be a little overwhelming. One way to simplify the process is to break it down into the type of exercises you’ll be doing in your home gym. For example, in order to accomodate well-rounded workouts, you’re going to want to include equipment for cardio and strength training. From there, you can narrow down your search based on your personal preferences, budget and space constraints. Here is our list of 5 essentials for building your home gym.

1. Pick Your Cardio Poison

In order to accommodate a complete workout, you’re going to need to outfit your home gym with some type of cardio machine. When it comes to the type of cardio machine you choose, that is entirely up to you. Treadmills are great for people who enjoy running and can tolerate the impact. However, if your body doesn’t respond well to the impact but you still want that type of intensity in a workout, an Elliptical machine is probably a better fit for you. You can also achieve great results from stationary bikes and rowing machines.

2. Strength Training Station

Never discount the importance of incorporating strength training into your workout routine. As you plan for a strength training station, you have a couple of different options to choose from. If you are on a tight budget or lacking a lot of space for your home gym, you might want to consider choosing free weights for your strength training station. Adjustable dumbbells are a great option or if you’re looking for a non-traditional alternative, consider choosing kettle bells for your strength training station.

There are a wide variety of strength training machines to choose from if you prefer a resistance-based machine over free weights. Precor has a great line of strength systems built to accommodate any level of fitness.

3. Weight Bench

If you went the free weight rout for your strength training station, you’ll eventually want to find a weight bench. A weight bench will greatly expand your repertoire of exercises that you can do with free weights. Choose one that adjusts to both flat and inclined positions for even more options.

4. Pilates or Yoga Mat

If you’ve ever tried Pilates or Yoga before, then you know they provide great workouts and do wonders for your flexibility. The great thing about Pilates and Yoga is that all you need to participate is a mat! It might be helpful to have an instructional video to get started, but other than that, it’s a pretty minimalistic workout. Even if you haven’t jumped onto the Pilates or Yoga bandwagon, you’ll want a mat in your home gym to accommodate stretching and abdominal workouts.

5. TV/DVD Player

Whether you like to follow along with exercise videos or just enjoy having that source of entertainment while you work out, having a TV with a DVD player in your home gym is a really nice bonus.

Remember, your home gym doesn’t have to be built in a day. It should be a work in progress that you can continue to expand and improve as time goes on. Start with the piece that is paramount for achieving your fitness goas and expand from there when you are ready.

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Product Spotlight: LifeCORE Rowing Machine

Posted on May 16, 2012 by MGL FItness

If you’re looking for an exercise machine that supports both aerobic and strength-building workouts, the LifeCORE Rower is your answer. It’s a resistance-based machine that simulates the act of rowing a boat. Rowing is a great endurance workout, but without stress on your joints and ligaments that comes with running. The LifeCORE Rower is the perfect addition to your home gym if you need to give your knees, feet or back a break from running or biking.

Why LifeCORE

The people at LifeCORE understand exercise equipment because they have been in business since the early ’90′s. They’re on a mission to build and sell high-quality, durable machinery that is meant to last. Additionally, the LifeCORE Rower comes with a lifetime warranty on the frame and up to 5 years on parts. Just more proof that LifeCORE is committed to providing people with the best rowing machines and stand behind their product.

Benefits and Features

Programmable

The LifeCORE Rower comes with 15 workouts pre-programmed, so you can get started with quality workouts if you’re new to rowing. Each rower also has the capacity to store data for up to four different users. That way each user can track their progress and save their personal information.

Easily Stored

If it’s space you’re lacking in your home gym, the LifeCORE Rower is a great space-saving solution. The rower is pretty small to begin with, but the lightweight frame folds down, making it even more compact for easier storage.

Amenities

The LifeCORE Rower has plenty of extra features that make your workout that much more pleasant. From the blue back-lit display screen, to the adjustable cooling air vent, this rower is guaranteed to be a smooth ride.

ERGONOMICALLY Designed

Your workout equipment should be designed in a way that adjusts to your body and supports your movement flawlessly. The LifeCORE Rower has an ergonomically designed seat and handle so that you can maintain your posture comfortably. They’ve also designed the pedals so that they are angled and pivot with the motion of your foot.

Just because you put yourself through the ringer with your workout doesn’t mean your workout equipment has to be torturous. Your workouts are hard enough, don’t settle for a rower that makes it even harder for the wrong reasons.

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Product Spotlight: Landice Treadmills

Posted on May 9, 2012 by MGL FItness

With treadmills, quality does matter. If you’ve ever ran on a rickety old treadmill or one that was just plain cheep, you know this to be true. A good treadmill makes all the difference in your workouts and your motivation to get back on day after day. Quality is just one of many reasons to buy a Landice treadmill for your home gym.

Why Landice?

Landice has been in the Treadmill manufacturing business for over 40 years, so they’ve got the technology and design of their treadmills down to a science. Landice treadmills are known for their sleek look, quiet operation, and heavy-duty motor. Add it all up and you’re left with the perfect home gym treadmill.

Benefits and Features

4 Horse-Power Motor

With a Landice treadmill, you don’t have to worry about whether or not your treadmill can keep up with you. The treadmill’s 4 horse-power motor allows for speeds up to 12 miles per hour.

Shock Absorption

Landice treadmills offer top-of-the-line shock absorption. Shock absorption makes for low-impact running, which equates to fewer knee and joint injuries. The standard shock absorption in the Landice treadmill is 5 times softer than running in grass. However, you have to option to upgrade to Orthopedic Shock Absorption, for a running experience that is 7 times softer than grass. Say goodbye to sore knees forever!

Accessories

Landice treadmills come outfitted with tons of amenities to make your runs more enjoyable. The iPod plugin and high power stereo speaker system will help you get pumped up for any workout. Stay cool during the most intense workouts with the built-in fan.

Custom User Profiles

Think of the Landice treadmill as your own personal trainer. The treadmill can store up to 5 user profiles and keep track of each person’s data and progress. It also comes with 5 pre-programmed workouts.

You could probably think of 100 excuses to skip your workout on any given day; don’t let a junky treadmill be one of those excuses. Invest in a Landice treadmill and just try to skip out on your daily run, I dare you!

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Product Spotlight: Precor Elliptical Crosstrainer

Posted on April 25, 2012 by MGL FItness

Finding the perfect exercise machine for your home gym isn’t easy. There are tons of options to choose from with lots to think about: From the type of machine, to the brand, right down to the features. One our favorite brand of elliptical machines is the Precor Elliptical Crosstrainer. Here’s why!

Why Precor?

Precor makes a wide range of models so you have some variety to choose from, depending on what you need in an Elliptical, and of course, your budget. All Precor Elliptical Crosstrainers feature a unique design meant to closely simulate running, for a more safe, effective workout. Also, the low impact workout of the Precor Elliptical reduces your perceived exertion. In other words, you don’t feel as though you’re working as hard as you are, making it easier to spend more time working out.

Benefits and Features

CrossRamp Technology

We all have our trouble spots. For some of us, we want more toned thighs, while others just want stronger calves. Well Precor’s CrossRamp Science allows you to adjust your Elliptical stride to target different areas of the lower body. That way, you can decide which muscle to focus on during any given workout.

Customizable Workouts

Precor’s Elliptical Crosstrainers allow you to customize your workouts based on the intensity and type of workout you want to do. Whether you feel like simulating a hike in the mountains or cross country skiing, Precor’s CrossRamp technology allows you to customize the perfect workout for you.

Preset workouts

If you’re new to the Elliptical or just don’t want to plan a custom workout, Precor Elliptical Crosstrainers come programed with a variety of preset workouts for you to choose from.

Monitoring Devices

Your Precor Elliptical can also help you monitor your body while you work out. The built-in heart rate monitor helps you to stay within your target range for optimal results.

User ID’s

The Precor Elliptical Crosstrainer can store personal information and preferences for multiple users. It’s perfect for households with multiple users!

Workout equipment is an investment. You want to purchase machinery that’s going to stand the test of time and give you the kind of workout you need to get fit. For the best in quality and performance, choose a Precor Elliptical Crosstrainer.

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