Evaluate how well a Home Gym meets your needs and compares to competing products
If you've completed step one you've identified what you need in a home gym and you've learned about the different features of home gyms. While you were doing your research, you probably started the process of determining which features - and thus which type of home gym - will best meet your needs. Now you are going to continue that process, but in greater detail.
In this step you will
evaluate the home gyms available on the market to determine how well they meet your personal needs and establish, by a process of elimination, an initial short-list of contenders. Then you will compare these short-listed home gyms to find out which ones stand out from the competition.
Evaluate how well a Home Gym meets your needs
Your priority at this point in your evaluation is to find the available home gyms in the market that best meet your needs. You can save a lot of time during this activity by quickly eliminating any home gyms that are unsuitable because they don't meet your key requirements. For example, if you have a limited budget for this purchase then you can ignore any home gyms that clearly exceed your price limit.
Home gym machines are typically either weight (fixed or removable) or resistance (band or springs) in design. They include a number of exercises on one machine and can provide a total body workout. Weight designs operate using a pulley system. As the user performs the exercise a pulley lifts the weights. A resistance gym has the same user function however, the system creates resistance by pulling or stretching a heavy-duty rubberised band or spring.
Tip:
While both systems offer the same fitness benefits, a pulley system can require more maintenance including routine lubrication. However, resistance bands or springs can wear or become less resistant with age. Try both before buying to see which you prefer using.
In addition to the cables, bands and springs, most home gyms are composed of a metal frame manufactured from 11 to 14-gauge steel. Seating is created from a plywood backing covered with high-density foam. The foam is finished in easy to clean, mildew resistant vinyl fabric. Most home gyms are finished in either a powder coated paint or clear coat (for a metallic finish).
Tip:
It is important that your home gym has proper welds. A machine will tend to rust first at the joints and rust on poor welds will increase the likelihood of the joint collapsing.
Home gyms come with a variety of exercise stations. The most common stations included on a gym are a chest press, pull down bar, leg extension and leg curl. Additional stations are the seated row, decline press, triceps extension chin up and abdominal crunch.
Tip:
When you first choose a gym, go for the standard fitness machines. Additional equipment can be purchased and added on to your gym as your needs and fitness levels change.
The typical adjustments needed on a home gym include the seat, bar height and weights. In general, most gyms have a weight stack which is adjusted by a simple pin. Seats can often slide forward and backward like those in an automobile, while bar adjustment may require the user to have a step stool handy to adjust.
Tip:
Never adjust the weights when they are raised. This could result in serious injury to the user and damage to the gym. Some gyms have a locking mechanism to prevent this from happening.
In order to keep the floor under your gym protected from dings and scratches, consider using a padded mat. Not only will this keep your work out surface knick free, it will provide a level surface and reduce the risk of doing an exercise lopsided.
Most home gyms come with a workout DVD or exercise poster. It is important to view these elements and have a thorough understanding of how to safely use each piece of the equipment before starting your exercise program. Put the poster in an area close to your workout space. This will provide quick reference for new or complicated exercises.
Tip:
If you purchase your equipment at a fitness store, ask if they will give an in-home demo. This will allow you to see how your equipment is used in a comfortable and relaxed environment.
Whether you are just starting your exercise routine or you are looking for a way to save the time and money involved with a gym membership, a home gym is a wonderful way to keep in shape. If chosen well and used properly, it will provide years of enjoyment and health benefits.
When you were considering your requirements in a home gym it's likely that you singled out certain factors such as weight or band resistance, exercise options, size and cost as being of major significance. As with so many other products, the more features offered, the higher the price.
Buyz123 has created a checklist containing examples of major features; you can work from this checklist when evaluating how well various home gyms meet your personal needs:
Features Checklist
Materials
- Frame - steel, iron
- Upholstery - foam, vinyl
- Plastic, PVC
- 0.25 inch 4000 lb Fiberglass cables
Construction
- 11 to 14 gauge steel tubing
- Welded steel - American Welding Society specifications
- Clear, powder coating (rust proofing)
- Zinc plated hardware
Size
- Hight 80 to 85 inches x Length 49 to 90 inches x Width 30 to 98 inches
Types
- Weight stack
- Weight plates
- Band resistance
- Spring resistance
Exercise options and target muscles
- Chest press - Chest
- Lat pull down - Upper back
- Seated row - Upper back
- Leg extension - Quadriceps
- Leg curl - Hamstrings
- Abdominal support - Upper Abs
- Oblique bend / abdominal crunch - Obliques and upper abs
- Decline press - Chest
- Triceps extension - Triceps
- Pectoral fly - Chest
Adjustments Considerations
- Pull pin
- Sliding seat
- Weights - 1 to 210 lbs
- Bar height
Warranty
- Lifetime limited (read fine print for exclusions)
- 10 year frame
- 1 year wear parts
Miscellaneous options
- Weight belt
- Flooring protection padded mat
- Wrist, elbow, knee support
- Lifting gloves
- Straight bar
- Lat bar
- Utility strap
- How-to video, exercise poster
There are a lot of features listed here, and some of them may not be relevant to your particular requirements. So, work your way through the list and assess how each of these features impact on your home gym needs. You can then create a personalized checklist of the features you really require in a home gym.
Once you have finished evaluating the home gyms available for sale in the light of your personal needs and arrived at a short-list of 'possibles' you are ready to progress to the next stage. This involves comparing the home gyms one-on-one in order to find those that really stand out.
Evaluate how well a Home Gym compares with competing Home Gyms
Comparing the items on your interim short-list, one to another, is an important part of the purchasing process - we all want to buy the best product we possibly can. So once you have established a short-list of home gyms that meet your needs it is time to evaluate how well they compare in fine detail. This way you can assemble a select list of home gyms that stand out from the crowd.
Questions to ask yourself:
Which home gym on my short-list offers the best value for money?
Which of these home gyms best meet my needs?
Which of my short-listed home gyms has the best warranty?
Which home gym is the easiest to use?
Which of the home gyms seems of the highest quality?
Which home gym do I like best?
By answering these simple questions, you are actually eliminating home gyms that aren't absolutely right for you. This is an excellent time - if you haven't done so already - to evaluate how well your short-listed products measure up in the following areas: Physical Quality, Warranty Conditions and Accessories & Extras.
Physical Quality
Regardless of the method you use when purchasing the home gym, you need to find an opportunity to examine the product to evaluate how well it is made, and to check that it is truly suitable for you and your purpose. This is the time to examine the quality of the materials, and how well the home gym is put together. Check the assembly - is the home gym solidly constructed? It's also important to examine the home gym from the perspective of ease of use. How easy is the home gym to clean and maintain? Are the stations easy to use? Make sure the home gym is user-friendly - some home gyms look great in the store, but unexpected problems will show up when you finally get your hands on them.
Physical Inspection Checklist:
- Materials - quality, appearance
- Assembly - all parts held together securely, good quality fittings
- Solidly constructed - stable, no loose components
- Proper fit of removable parts - easy to remove and replace, fit snugly
- Size - appropriate for surroundings and purpose - fits user correctly
- Appearance - well finished, appropriate color, neat fittings etc
- Easy and comfortable to use
Warranty Conditions
Similar products may be available with significantly different terms and conditions, and you want to get the best deal you can. Parts and labor are often covered under separate warranties, for different time periods; sometimes there can be a significant difference in the warranty offered with one model compared to that offered with the next model up. It is particularly important to investigate any conditions that might void a warranty, such as if you use the machine incorrectly to that recommended.
Warranty Checklist:
- Duration - check the specifics
- Parts, Labour, Mechanical
- Exactly what is covered
- Exactly what is excluded
- Conditions or actions that may void the warranty
Accessories and Extras
When evaluating similar products, it is a good idea to include accessories in your assessment. You need to be clear about exactly what accessories are necessary to run the product to its full capacity, and whether these are included with the purchase. What other facilities are required - do you need a weight belt, for instance?
Accessories Checklist:
- Accessories - included or extra cost?
- Upgrades - will the product need upgrades, what are the costs?
- Compatibility issues - will it work with your existing products?
- What else will you need to fully utilize this product?
Once you've worked through the Evaluation step you will have a final short-list of home gyms that meet your needs and stand out from competing products on the market. It's time then to move on to the third and final step: Purchase.
Video Links
Buyz123.com Research Links:Price Comparison & ReviewsGood home gym reviewsReviews and prices of home gyms