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What is the best and most reasonable and minimal exercise equipment for a home gym?

Hi everyone, My current gym is getting a bit expensive, especially to commute since its so far away.So, I've been thinking of buying equipment to workout at home. I don't have much space for bulky equipment so what would you recommend to include in my home gym? Also I'm working on a budget. Thank you

Public Comments

1. buy a home dvd of 'hip hop abs' or something like that...
2. start with treadmill and bicycle. and probably buy some weights. if you want to work on your belly, just do sit ups. i hope it helps. take care.
3. Get some free weights, treadmill, a bike and a cross trainer.
4. I would get either a manual treadmill or a Tony Little gazelle. Both are foldable if you need to put them away (although the manual treadmill is going to be less awkward). Pick up a set of free-weights, a mat for floor exercises and you're all set. :) You might want to also buy a couple of workout DVDs to shake things up a bit.
5. Pilates ball with stretching bands (very cheap) Stepping Machine Home Work out DVD
6. get a gazzelle it doesnt take up much space and if you work it right it works all parts of the body my wife and i use it and its great
7. Create a garden.
8. Dumbbells/free weights - great for working the arms/back/shoulders a yoga ball / awesome for abs and thighs a medicine ball - it's just fun and it works everything resistance bands - muscle tone good tennis shoes - for cardio a watch that can measure your heart rate as well - for cardio some mats (maybe yoga) - for crunches etc you good music Squats and other resistance work outs you can do with your own body or a chair is cool. Rent or check out work out DVD's and books and pick your favorite work outs
9. if you wanted to buy something cheap, buy a DVD. you can work out at home with spending no money. you can jog, do push ups, do sit ups, you can even fill an old milk jug with water or sand and use that as a weight. it might look a little different, but you can do most types of exercises if not all for cheap or free. buy a bike, that can be cheap and health cardio.
10. A good pair of running shoes. A set of adjustable dumbbells. Chin-up bar or resistance bands that can be secured for pull-downs. That's it. You can successfully workout every muscle group and build cardio with less than $150 of equipment. You can go even cheaper and just buy the shoes while working out using pleiometrics and isometrics (it just takes a lot of motivation and effort).
11. Your arms, Legs, weight, a cloth covered 1 inch diameter & about 3 or 4 feet length metal bar hung somewhere strong (just about 6 inches from the top of your head) for pull-ups, and 2 inch thick mat which you can roll up & put away when not in use for leg exercises, push-ups, sit-backs (best exercise as you will not strain any muscle but great for shoulders, neck, arms, thighs, ankles, back & especially the abdomen!).
12. I've been through the same thing. I started off with a set of dumbells from Walmart for about $15 and just did body resistance (crunches, push ups, dips using the bed, etc.) as well as dumbell exercises (theres so many of them!). This and running outside kept me busy for atleast three months. After that I decided to look into getting a bench. Check your local paper! I found a used set which includes a bench, bar, 200+ pounds of weight, a curl up bar, and two adjustable dumbells for only $100 off of someone. This is about $450 worth of equipment. I still run outside, but if it is cold or hot where you are, you might want a bike. They are smaller and cheaper than a treadmill, and in my opinion, better because they are easy on the knees.