By far, the biggest advantage of creating your own personalized home gym is the massive and significant convenience factor. Your favorite machines and strength tools are right in your basement gym, or office space.

You don’t have to drive in weather conditions to your new gym. Additionally, there will never be a long wait for your favorite treadmill or elliptical machine, unless other family members are hogging your super-slick new home gym!

The perfect home gym should have all your favorite fitness gadgets and tools because you can create one using affordable exercise equipment or even gently used home exercise machines. After deciding on the major decisions – such as a bike or a treadmill as your mainstay machine, for instance, try exploring of the different weight accessories, mats and kettle bells to round out your perfect home gym.

Questions to consider before making a purchase:

What are my goals for the workout?

How much weight lifting experience do I have?

How much available room in my home/office/garage do I have?

What is my budget?

What exercises am I going to focus on more?

These are all huge, motivating  factors that come into play when you are deciding which home exercise equipment would be best for you, and anyone else in your active home.

Cardio Cross Training 

Treadmills are the most popular fitness machines in North America, and year after year but elliptical machines are right behind, and they are safer and easier on the joints of your lower body.

— Treadmill features we love: Incline settings that range from 3% to 15% uphill, a more compact footprint for tight spaces, and multiple settings beyond manual. 

— Elliptical machines, on the other hand, offer a safe, low-impact workout and the calorie-torching gliding motions allow you to work up quit a sweat without the constant pounding or jarring on your joints from running outside. Also, ellipticals lend themselves to multitasking, in case you are the type to watch the nightly news or even “Survivor” reruns while you break your seat.

— Rowing machines can help improve your fitness level in a variety of ways; they can build and tone muscles, strengthen cardiovascular function, and improve endurance. It’s a great way to burn calories. You may also try jump ropes, kickboxing or flow Pilates DVDs, and a heavy bag as other cross-training options.

Multi-Use Strength Station

Total-body gyms with adjustable rings, pulleys and bars are often suitable for the entire family and can work with all different fitness levels from beginners all the way to athletic training performance. Strength stations often fold up to provide you with easy and convenient storage We like the ones that come with leg pull accessories, squat stand, exercise feedback and a sturdy training deck.

Other resistance fitness equipment to customize a home gym:

Core training tools such as an Ab Wheel or an ab bench

Dumbbells, kettle bells and/or resistance bands and tubing

Stretching mats, yoga blocks and a pull-up bar

Sturdy Suspension Trainer or Cable Machine

One of the which is the most versatile, durable and cost-effective suspension trainers for home is the TRX Suspension Trainer that includes the actual lightweight trainer, a door anchor, a suspension anchor extender, a mesh carry bag, and a full-color 35 page workout guide to get started. The TRX sets up in seconds and offers a head-to-toe strength workout that will never bore you.

When you start choosing exercise equipment for your home, always keep in mind your overarching fitness goals, like weight loss or muscle building, or a balance of gym equipment for various types of high-tech workouts. Whether whether you’re looking to jumpstart your cardio endurance or come out of the winter season with a set of washboard abs, there’s something in every home gym that can help you on your way.

Try soOlis’ side-by-side equipment comparisons.

 
If you need a big jolt of fitness motivation, read our roundup of the best at-home workout options on the market. soOlis specializes in creating side-by-side comparisons of the best exercise machines and helping you formulate the best strategy for your new home gym.

We also offer the most reliable, well-crafted home gym equipment for our partner distributors. Read these exercise equipment reviews before you purchase your home-gym centerpiece! Then build up and around from there.

Save time and money with your new home gym equipment. And no more dad jeans!

The Best Home Gym Reviews

Top Home Equipment on a Budget

Being a Home Body Really Works!

Best Compact Home Strength Station

Best Home Gyms Report

Remember, by far the best two reasons to create dad’s best home gym and creative fitness space is that it really saves you time and money. And no there is no excuse for him to skip the regular workouts.

Celebrate Father’s Day With Top Workouts and New Fitness Equipment!

Precor Discovery Line:

DS Abdominal

DS Back Extension

DS Bicep Curl

DS Chest Press

DS Inner Thigh

DS Lat Pulldown

DS Lateral Raise

DS Leg Extension

DS Leg Press

DS Outer Thigh

DS Prone Leg Curl

DS Rear Deltoid Pec Fly

DS Rotary Torso

DS Seated Dip

DS Seated Leg Curl

DS Seated Row

DS Shoulder Press

DS Tricep Extension

BH Fitness:

BH Duals

FreeMotion:

FreeMotion New Epic Strength Line

To see a true comparison between the different fitness manufactures strength line go to soOlis.com of click the link to see an example of a the product comparisons.

http://soolis.com/product-compare?product_type_id=1&cat_id=4&keyword=Chest&zip=21811&compare%5B%5D=551&compare%5B%5D=22268

• 8 – Cybex 630 Arc
• 1 – LifeFitness 95Xe Elliptical
• 6 – Precor 546 v3 Elliptical (Cordless)
• 3 – Precor 556 v1 Elliptical
• 2 – Precor 556 v3
• 6 – StairMaster 7000PT Blue
• 3 – LifeFitness 95Si Stepper
• 5 – LifeFitness 95Ci Upright Bike
• 1 – Cybex Cyclone 530 Upright Bike
• 14 – Schwinn Evolution Bike
• 1 – Cybex UBE
• 2 – LifeFitness 95Te Treadmill
• 2 – Woodway Desmo Treadmill
• 1 – Versa Climber 108/109
• 2 – LifeFitness Summit Trainer

Strength

• 1 – Cybex PL Dual Axis Advanced Chest Press
• 3 – (Cybex) PL Smith Machine
• 1 – Cybex PL Chest Press
• 2 – Cybex PL Seated Calf
• 2 – Icarian PL 45 Degree Leg Press
• 1 – Hammer Iso Horizontal Bench Press
• 2 – Hammer Iso Shoulder
• 3 – Hammer Iso Incline Chest
• 1 – Hammer Iso Decline Chest
• 1 – Hammer Iso Low Row
• 3 – Hammer Iso Lat Pulldown
• 1 – Hammer Iso Lat Raise
• 1 – Hammer Iso High Row
• 1 – Hammer Iso Kneeling Leg Curl
• 1 – Hammer Bicep
• 1 – Hammer PL Bench Press
• 1 – Hammer PL Seated/Standing Shrug
• 1 – Hammer PL Seated Calf
• 1 – Hammer PL Pullover
• 1 – PL Inverted Leg Press
• 1 – PL Pullover
• 1 – PL Abductor
• 1 – PL Adductor
• 1 – PL Standing Calf Raise
• 2 – LifeFitness (Pro) Pec Deck / Rear Delt
• 2 – LifeFitness (Pro) Leg Extension
• 1 – LifeFitness Prone Leg Curl
• 1 – LifeFitness Pro Horizontal Leg Press
• 2 – LifeFitness (Pro) Wt. Asst. Chin/Dip
• 1 – LifeFitness Cable Crossover
• 1 – Nautilus 40 Degree Chest Machine

• 1 – Cybex New Eagle Lat Raise
• 1 – Cybex New Eagle Glute
• 1 – Cybex VR2 Bicep
• 1 – Cybex VR Glute
• 1 – Cybex Seated Calf Raise
• 1 – Icarian 8 Station Jungle Gym
• 1 – BodyMaster 8 Station Jungle Gym w/CC
• 1 – Maxicam Cable Crossover
• 1 – Selectorized Cable Crossover

Benches & Accessories

• 1 – Cybex Bent Leg Ab Board
• 1 – Cybex Olympic Decline Bench
• 1 – Olympic Decline Bench
• 1 – Olympic Military Bench
• 1 – Cybex Flat to 90 Bench
• 4 – Icarian Super Bench
• 2 – (Cybex) Preacher Curl Bench
• 1 – Cybex 45 Hyperextension
• 1 – Icarian Power Squat
• 1 – Hammer Power Rack
• 2 – Power Rack
• 1 – VKR Chin/Dip
• 1 – Precor V Crunch

• 8 – Cybex 630 Arc
• 1 – LifeFitness 95Xe Elliptical
• 6 – Precor 546 v3 Elliptical (Cordless)
• 3 – Precor 556 v1 Elliptical
• 3 – Precor 556 v3
• 6 – StairMaster 7000PT Blue
• 3 – LifeFitness 95Si Stepper
• 5 – LifeFitness 95Ci Upright Bike
• 1 – Cybex Cyclone 530 Upright Bike
• 17 – Schwinn Evolution Bike
• 1 – Cybex UBE
• 2 – LifeFitness 95Te Treadmill
• 1 – LifeFitness 95Ti Treadmill
• 2 – Woodway Desmo Treadmill
• 1 – Versa Climber 108/109
• 2 – LifeFitness Summit Trainer

Strength

• 1 – Cybex PL Dual Axis Advanced Chest Press
• 3 – (Cybex) PL Smith Machine
• 1 – Cybex PL Chest Press
• 2 – Cybex PL Seated Calf
• 2 – Icarian PL 45 Degree Leg Press
• 1 – Hammer Iso Horizontal Bench Press
• 2 – Hammer Iso Shoulder
• 3 – Hammer Iso Incline Chest
• 1 – Hammer Iso Decline Chest
• 1 – Hammer Iso Low Row
• 2 – Hammer Iso Lat Pulldown
• 1 – Hammer Iso Lat Raise
• 1 – Hammer Iso High Row
• 1 – Hammer Iso Kneeling Leg Curl
• 1 – Hammer PL Bench Press
• 1 – Hammer PL Seated/Standing Shrug
• 1 – Hammer PL Seated Calf
• 1 – Hammer PL Pullover
• 1 – Hammer PL High Pull
• 1 – PL Inverted Leg Press
• 1 – PL Pullover
• 1 – PL Abductor
• 1 – PL Adductor
• 1 – PL Standing Calf Raise
• 2 – LifeFitness (Pro) Pec Deck / Rear Delt
• 2 – LifeFitness (Pro) Leg Extension
• 1 – LifeFitness Prone Leg Curl
• 1 – LifeFitness Pro Horizontal Leg Press
• 2 – LifeFitness (Pro) Wt. Asst. Chin/Dip
• 1 – LifeFitness Cable Crossover
• 1 – Nautilus 40 Degree Chest Machine

• 1 – Cybex New Eagle Lat Raise
• 1 – Cybex New Eagle Glute
• 1 – Cybex VR2 Bicep
• 1 – Cybex VR Glute
• 1 – Cybex Seated Calf Raise
• 1 – Icarian Pec Fly / Rear Delt
• 1 – Icarian 8 Station Jungle Gym
• 1 – BodyMaster 8 Station Jungle Gym w/CC
• 1 – Maxicam Cable Crossover
• 1 – Selectorized Cable Crossover

Benches & Accessories

• 1 – Cybex Bent Leg Ab Board
• 1 – Cybex Olympic Decline Bench
• 1 – Olympic Decline Bench
• 1 – Olympic Military Bench
• 1 – Cybex Flat to 90 Bench
• 4 – Icarian Super Bench
• 2 – (Cybex) Preacher Curl Bench
• 1 – Cybex 45 Hyperextension
• 1 – Icarian Power Squat
• 1 – Hammer Power Rack
• 2 – Power Rack
• 1 – VKR Chin/Dip
• 1 – Precor V Crunch

Preview of the New Feature: Commercial Product Comparison

This feature will be live by Friday September 17th.

Cardio

• 10 – Cybex 630 Arc
• 3 – LifeFitness 95Xe Elliptical
• 3 – StairMaster 7000PT Blue
• 1 – StairMaster 4000PT
• 4 – LifeFitness 95Si Stepper
• 6 – Lemond Revmaster Bike
• 7 – LifeFitness 95Ci Upright Bike
• 1 – LifeFitness 9500 Next Gen Upright Bike
• 1 – Cyclone 530R Recumbent Bike
• 1 – Cybex UBE
• 5 – Schwinn Airdyne Bike
• 9 – LifeFitness 95Ti Treadmill
• 1 – Versa Climber 108/109

Strength

• 1 – Nautilus XPload P31P PL Incline Leg Press
• 1 – Cybex PL Dual Axis Advanced Chest Press
• 1 – Icarian PL 45 Degree Leg Press
• 1 – Hammer Tricep Dip
• 1 – Hammer Iso High Row
• 1 – Hammer Iso Bench Press
• 1 – Hammer Iso Horizontal Bench Press
• 1 – Hammer H Squat
• 1 – LifeFitness Cable Crossover
• 1 – Icarian Pec Fly / Rear Delt
• 1 – Cybex VR2 Abdominal

• 1 – Cybex New Eagle Lat Raise
• 1 – Cybex New Eagle Glute

Benches & Accessories

• 1 – Cybex Bent Leg Ab Board
• 1 – Cybex Olympic Military Press
• 1 – Precor V Crunch
• 1 – Set 10-95 ProStyle Dumbbells 

880 Series

The 830 Series is an update LED Display Screen that has the same line of the 880 console.  It also has the new easy to use motion controls that increases and decreases the users speed and incline.   The 830 still uses the reliable LED console to provide the essential fitness information for the user.  And in terms of entertainment, the 830 series can still be purchased with the option personal viewing screens.

830 Series

The 820 Series again uses the same lines as the 880 series but has condensed the information into a 4×6 LCD single color screen.  This console gives the end user the affordability and reliability that goes into all Precor Fitness Products.  It also has an option for the personal viewing screens.

820 Series

In 1998, Tim Brennan and Tim Green founded Direct Fitness Solutions.  The company was built on the values of customer service and support.  It is on these values that have given Direct Fitness Solutions a firm competitive advantage in the Midwest. Over the past 12 years, Direct Fitness Solutions has grown to one of the top Precor Commercial Dealers in the country; they also have over 13 sales representatives;  and finally, where many commercial fitness dealers only service verticals markets, DFS supports every market   (gyms, fitness centers, hospitals, universities, multi housing and so on). If you are in the market for treadmills, used equipment, and/ or strength training equipment, DFS is your one stop shop.

According to Chris Gallagher, Regional Manager in the Chicago Area, “soOlis.com gives us another great opportunity to showcase our products and our company to our customers.  From one location, our clients can see all of the products we offer without sending them a bunch of brochures or several websites.  We look forward to a long relationship with soOlis.com.”

Brad Bishop, President/CEO of soOlis.com reiterates Chris’ point.  Direct Fitness Solutions will be the only commercial fitness dealer with an ad on our site for Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Missouri.  We will promote their products before all other commercial gym equipment products.  With their excellent reputation, we feel privileged to help promote DFS.

For more information contact Tim Sebold at tsebold@soolis.com or 877-789-8773 ext 705.

Who is Augie Nieto? He has helped shape the Health and Fitness Industry through his leadership, dedication, and commitment.  He not only put his personal touch on Life Fitness and Octane, but through his leadership of his employees, he has touched almost every other major manufacture, Cybex, Star Trac, Precor, Matrix, Nautilus, Technogym, and many others.   And if for some chance another manufacture hadn’t hired a former Life Fitness or Octane employee, I am sure that the other manufactures always compared their products to what Life Fitness and Octane were doing.  His effect on this industry doesn’t stop at the manufactures, it goes way beyond.  Just think of how many dealers have sold his company’s products and how many dealers got to meet him and see the passion that he possesses for this industry.  And don’t forget the club owners; Augie was committed to producing long lasting, user friendly, and motivating products so the club owners could be successful. And finally how many people worldwide exercise on an exercise product that have been linked to Augie, think about it probably millions.

I met Augie October 12, 1989, my first day at Life Fitness and it just happened to be Club Industry.  Augie personally took me around and showed be every Life Fitness Product, which at that time was only the Lifecycle, Lifestep and LifeRower.  His passion and commitment was unlike anything I had seen before.  It was contagious. Therefore, it is not surprising to see that same passion and commitment fighting ALS.

At soOlis.com, we are honored to work with Augie’s Quest.

For information on advertising with soOlis.com and donating to Augie’s Quest contact Tim Sebold at tsebold@soolis.com, or 877-789-8773 ext 705