If you have a home gym, then you might be taking it for granted. Are you using the home gym every day, or at least for a routine time as though you were actually in a gym and paying for your gym membership? Are you exercising all your muscle groups, or at least the muscle groups that you are recommended to exercise or tone? Are you avoiding any measures of either diversifying your routine, or at least making it more exciting for you to do? If you answered no to all these questions, then you are not only taking your home gym for granted, but you are wasting your investment. A home gym is designed for you to use, and for you to experience convenience - it is not something that you should use at your own convenience.

A Few Tips for the Flagging Enthusiasm

If you are hoping to resurrect your love for your home gym, then you may want to take note of the following tips as you re-start your exercise routine. First, of course, you need to want to have an exercise routine and keep it. Moreover, you need to work toward a tangible goal. You may think that simply seeking to lose weight or to shed off some inches in some parts of your body are tangible goals enough - but if you aren't sure about what you want, what makes you think that your brain and body are going to work together to achieve it? Here are tips that you should keep in mind:

- Keep to a schedule. This may sound constricting, but sometimes, your body adapts faster to habit instead of spontaneity. Have an hour or two every day set aside for your exercise routine. You may want to pick an exercise hour in the morning, so that you can shower before you go to work; and then an exercise hour in the late afternoon, so that you can sleep soundly at night. In any case, a schedule should help you stay with the exercise routine.

- Keep a tangible goal: how many inches do you want to lose on your waist, how many pounds do you want to lose in a month, and how soon do you want to fit into that dress of your dreams? Set a goal. If you have a schedule and a set goal, you can psych your body easily into obeying what you sometimes merely wish for.

- Don't be afraid to add some spice into your exercise routine. What excites you, and what makes you have fun and like what you are doing? Take yourself back to the most boring times in your life when you were sure that you were going to die of the tedium, if not for one element that took away all the boredom. Was it music? A change in routine? If it's music, play music while you exercise. Play a motivational speech if you must. Find ways to keep yourself going.

Getting More out of Your Workout Means Staying on It

- Don't be afraid to ask for help. There may be people who were once discouraged to work out even with their home gym already ready for their use. You may have friends who surmounted the odds and went out of their way to get back into their workout. These people can help you. Ask for advice, and ask about their techniques in staying in their workouts. Who knows, you might be able to get your act together, thanks to a few kindly souls (in lean and fit bodies, too).

- Ask your doctor for advice. You may have an underlying condition that should prohibit you from working out for too long, or from using a certain exercise or exercising a certain muscle group. You will need to find out what you can and should do.

- Do research! Read on how your workout can and should help you.

You might be discouraged from time to time, so you will need to accept that such a thing can happen. Don't let a few snags let you down. Keep on the workout. You can go right with a lot of exercise, so be aware that you are working toward better health. If you are able to keep to your workout and make exercise a habit, you will certainly feel better, inside and out.

For more information on how to use your own home gym to get fabulous abs go to:
http://www.yourownhomegym.com/Exercise-Gym-Home-Program.html
http://www.yourownhomegym.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nathalie_Fiset

Who says you need thousands of dollars just to get fit at home? These days, the cost of home gyms is much more reasonable and quite affordable even for the average home. A little imagination, practical common sense and research will come a long way to help you achieve the home gym of your dreams at a budget. Here's how:

Consider buying the most basic.

Most first time home gym owners make the mistake of getting carried away when buying their own home fitness equipment. They jump right in and buy the most complete, multi-function machine that beckons from the display room of a store. This is impractical and very costly.

The reason is that multigyms, apart from being quite expensive, offer multiple exercise or workout options. High-end ones even let you vary your workout routines by allowing you to do 50 to 60 exercise regimens. For the first-timer, this can be very overwhelming. Most beginners can do well with at least 3 and a maximum of 10 exercise routines to get a total body workout AND strength training as well. The result? You have an exercise machine that sits there, not fully optimized.

A better thing to do is to buy the most basic equipment first and expand progressively. This will allow you to add more features and equipment as your fitness levels change and improve. That way, you'll buy only what you need and can afford, at least for the time being.

Go for fewer bells and whistles.

For majority of home gym equipment, you will get what you pay for. However, that shouldn't stop you from keeping an eye on your budget. Losing weight and keeping fit generally requires you to purchase machines that allow cardiovascular equipment. The bad news is, this type of equipment will cost you. The good news is, you can do something about it.

Probably one of the cheaper cardio equipment available today that are effective and easy to use are stationary bikes. Inexpensive ones can cost from about $100 to around $180. The price range may be a bit steep for the budget conscious but remember that cardio exercise equipment are a good investment, so it's best to look for quality, performance and endurance. Just don't look for a lot of features, though.

If you prefer treadmills, there are options that cost around $150. These are generally self-powered (meaning, there is no motor that will move the conveyor belt) and you're usually limited to walking - no running or even jogging. You could power-walk, though and if paired with weights, this type of budget home gym equipment will do nicely for your fitness goals.

There are also cheaper alternatives to the generally-expensive ellipticals. Prices can range from around $280 to $430. Low-end ones do the job but they're mostly best for people with smaller frames. If you're taller or heavier, best go for equipment in the mid-priced range.

For total body workout, try a budget-priced rowing machine. For as little as $150, you'll get a great workout equipment that offers smooth motion, sturdy design and yes, even digital readouts to help you keep track of the calories you have burned.

Buy secondhand or refurbished.

There are stores (also online shops) that offer gym equipment you can get at a discounted price. You need only pay around 20% to 40% of the original price, maybe even less. Be careful, though. Make sure you can check the quality of the machine yourself so you are assured it will perform as it should and last long. Shop around and check out several sources before deciding on which refurbished or secondhand equipment to buy.

Penny pinching fitness buffs

So now that you have an idea of how little you could spend on a home gym equipment, you're probably thinking, 'What if all I can afford is equipment ranging from $50 to $100?' Well, take heart. You can still enjoy home gym fitness at zero budget, by investing in equipment that will not put a dent in your pocket. Here are some choices:

Skipping rope. A single set using skipping ropes offers you excellent cardiovascular exercise. Couple this with a routine in strength training with a set of free weights and you're good to go.

Free weights. If you must spend, spend on a good set of free weights. Free weights are excellent for strength training and muscle toning. Simply pair them with a cardiovascular exercise of your choice.

Boxing equipment. Boxing is a terrific workout because it allows you to shed sweat, it increases your heart rate and works out every muscle in your body. Buy a cheap but sturdy punching bag and a pair of gloves that offer sufficient protection. Then hit your home gym and start working out.

For more information on how to use your own home gym to get fabulous abs go to:
http://www.yourownhomegym.com/Designing-Fitness-Gym-Home.html
http://www.yourownhomegym.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nathalie_Fiset