Weight Lifting 101

by: Kevin Valluzzi

Home Gym Workout Equipment

A lot of people feel the same way that you do. Either they don't have time to go back and forth to the gym, or they're just more comfortable working out in the privacy of their own home. Depending on the space you have, you can make your own little "private" gym just for you and your family. For this section of the book on working out at home, let's assume that you don't have a huge space. The only things you actually need, believe it or not, are a bench and some free weights (dumbbells). It would also be a good idea to get some exercise bands that you can use to do lots of different exercises, in addition to bench exercises, that will help diversify your program. Again, I would highly recommend that you get either the Solotrainer cards or a beginner's exercise/weight training book to help you get started with your workouts. Okay, let's get back to the equipment that you'll need. First off is a bench.

Bench

The bench you purchase should be multi-functional. In other words, it should be able to incline as well as being flat. Some benches can even decline in addition to flat and incline. It is not necessary to have a flat/decline/incline bench or even a flat/incline bench, but I definitely recommend it. It allows you to do a lot more exercises as you get into your program a little more.

Free Weights

There are numerous types of free weights to choose from. There are traditional dumbbells that range anywhere between 1 lb. to 200 lbs. Depending on how much space you have and how much weight you think you'll be lifting, this will determine what kind of dumbbells you will be looking for. One item that comes to mind is the PROBELL 30 Classic Adjustable Dumbbell System. It sounds intimidating, but it's not at all. It's actually quite a space saver. It is a pair of dumbbells that can go from 2 1/2 lbs. to 30 lbs. each, in 2 1/2 pound increments, with the turn of a dial. So in other words, you get 12 pairs of dumbbells all in 1 pair.

This is a great product and I definitely recommend it, especially if you want to save some space. You can get this item too by going to my web-site and finding it in the "Products" page under the BIG FITNESS link. It is called the ProBell Classic. Another option, or rather an accompaniment, to the bench and free weights, is exercise bands. For those of you who aren't familiar with these, they are elastic rubber bands with handles at the ends and some companies also have ankle straps for leg exercises. I personally use these myself and with all my clients. I love them!!! BODYLASTICS is a great company that makes an excellent little package. It includes 4 bands (each one a little harder), 2 handles, 2 ankle straps, 1 door anchor, and a video and booklet. At the time of this printing the price for the package is $50. It's a great value.