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.

Cardio

• 10 – Cybex 630 Arc
• 3 – LifeFitness 95Xe Elliptical
• 1 – LifeFitness 9500NG Elliptical
• 3 – StairMaster 7000PT Blue
• 2 – LifeFitness 95Si Stepper
• 6 – Lemond Revmaster Bike
• 6 – LifeFitness 95Ci Upright Bike
• 1 – Expresso S2R Recumbent Bike
• 1 – Cybex UBE
• 10 – 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 – Hammer MTS Shoulder Press

• 1 – LifeFitness Sel. Horizontal Leg Press
• 1 – Body Master 8 Stack
• 1 – Cybex VR2 Ab Machine
• 1 – Cybex VR2 Bicep
• 1 – Cybex New Eagle Lat Raise
• 1 – Cybex New Eagle Glute

Benches & Accessories

• 4 – Flat to 90 Bench
• 3 – Cybex Power Rack
• 1 – Precor V Crunch
• 1 – Set 10-95 ProStyle Dumbbells

2 – Olympic Bicep Curl Bar

Patchell Evans with Fit4Less in Canada and Mark Smith from the City fitness in New Zealand.

The agreement, reached during a meeting held Wednesday, March 16 on the IHRSA Convention floor, served as a monumental launch for the 30th IHRSA Convention and Trade Show and a triumph for Star Trac fitness, which Mr. Bruno acquired in July of 2010.

Each of the three club chains is planning for substantial growth in the next few years. Star Trac CEO Michael Bruno was upbeat upon concluding the deal saying, “Teaming up with Tony, Mark

and Patch, three of the most respected gentlemen in the industry, is an exciting venture that kicks this great show off with a bang. We at Star Trac are honored by this partnership.”

Industry veteran Mark Smith, who had a long relationship with the Star Trac brand during his tenure at TSI, was delighted by the agreement stating, “I am thrilled to be able to come full circle with Star Trac after my very successful partnership with them when running TSI. City Fitness now has a significant New Zealand presence, and the prospect of having exhibition facilities showcase Star Trac products is an exciting one.”

David Patchell Evans stated, “I have a lot of confidence in the new ownership and management of Star Trac and look forward to using it for our Fit4Less brand. It is another sign of our whole industry getting stronger after this recession.”

Echoing David Patchell Evans’ sentiments was Tony de Leede who said, “I and my team are very excited about working with Mike Bruno, Andy Richters and the Star Trac team in rapidly rolling out showcase clubs featuring Star Trac products.”

About Star Trac

Since 1979, Star Trac has been a leader in developing advanced equipment for the fitness industry, focused on providing products to mold lifelong habits for health and fitness. Its user-focused product innovations are reflected in the complete line of cardiovascular and strength equipment, including the revolutionary Star Trac Coach™, a personalized treadmill workout led by a professional coach, the groundbreaking eSpinner®, the newest Spinning® innovation resulting from the long running relationship between Star Trac and Mad Dogg Athletics, and the Inspiration Strength™ line that takes aesthetics, biomechanics, and features to the next level. More than four million people in over 75 countries use Star Trac exercise equipment daily, enjoying its unparalleled functionality and style. For more information about Star Trac, which is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., call 1-800-228-6635 or visit www.startrac.com.

About Cityfitness

Cityfitness, the fastest growing health club company in NZ, has been offering world class gym and fitness facilities for more than 15 years. Its gyms are located throughout New Zealand, currently at 16 clubs with plans to open another 3 over the next 12 months. The 5 year plan is to grow to 30 clubs.

About Fit n Fast

Fit n Fast is a new chain of health clubs launching into the Australian market with a new approach to fitness. Tony de Leede, former CEO of Fitness First and industry veteran, together with a small consortium of partners have founded the new concept in fitness, being “The Quickie” or “the 30 minute workout”, a cheaper, better and faster” approach to fitness. With at least 50 clubs planned to open over the next year.

Star Trac hit a bump in the road on its recently accelerated growth path and has been forced to make massive layoffs and quicken its search for capital investors.

Although not totally unexpected — the company has been talking to investors for 60 days, the consumer division was informed six weeks ago of its consolidation to California, and rumors of financial concerns have circulated for many months — Star Trac’s woes became highly public on May 27 when its President and COO Steve Nero resigned, followed by huge layoffs a week later.

“Clearly, we are preparing the company for an infusion of capital,” Randy Bergstedt, vice president of marketing, told SNEWS. “We’re shrinking the size of our overhead. We’re doing the pruning necessary to get back to growth. It’s a necessary step, as painful as it is.”

Combined with a smattering of layoffs in the last few weeks, the 35-year-old Star Trac company has cut 102 employees — 50 from its strength division, the former Flex Fitness in Murrieta, Calif.; nine from its consumer segment out of Colorado begun in 2007; and 43 from all other areas both in California and at global offices. The layoffs, most of which occurred on June 3-4, took the company down to 450 employees globally, although about half of the cut jobs are in manufacturing and some of those could be added back during fall and winter, SNEWS was told.

Layoffs included Paul Ireland, vice president of sales; and Chris Brewis, director of customer support. Kevin Lamar, the vice president and general manager of the company’s ST Fitness consumer division that has been Colorado-based, will remain through July to assist in the transition and integration to the California offices. Lamar told SNEWS that during his 2½ year run, he and his team enjoyed building the consumer division and seeing its success. “I look forward to a smooth integration into California,” he added. “I also look forward to exploring all of my options for the future.”

Larry Domingo, the former vice president of sales at Precor who was hired in November 2009 as Star Trac’s vice president of global sales, will now oversee sales. Stepping into Nero’s role as president and COO is Mike Leveque (photo – right), who has been with Star Trac for 17 years, most recently as head of European operations out of the United Kingdom. Leveque has also served as director of finance and worked in both inside and outside sales. Leveque said he has been splitting his time between the United States and the European offices for the last three years.

“We have taken steps to gain efficiency in the business by reducing staff, integrating the consumer division, and preparing for a move into one building in the Irvine area,” Leveque told SNEWS. “Working our way out of this situation will take some time, and my No.1 focus is taking care of our customers through the process.”

Gaining efficiency, trimming costs
Now based in Irvine, Calif., Star Trac, which was incorporated as Unisen Inc. in 1975 under its founder James Sweeney, the company will make a decision in the next few months about where it will move to consolidate all of the company from commercial to strength to consumer in one Southern California building as one way to slice costs and gain efficiency, Bergstedt said.

“It’ll bring the entire company under one roof,” said Bergstedt, who has been with the company 12 years. “Clearly, the commercial real estate market is very favorable now and there is availability of buildings the size we need.”

Bergstedt blamed the scramble for capital infusion on several factors, including the unexpected length and severity of the economic downturn and Star Trac’s continued optimism.

“We were overly optimistic in our ability to generate continued growth,” he explained. “With the economic downturn, that was not possible.”

Retailers and dealers have told SNEWS that product delivery, support, service and parts have been difficult and slow, leaving the company’s customers frustrated. As a part of the restructuring, Terry Woods is the new director of customer support.

“Our focus needs to be on getting parts and supplies to our current customers,” Bergstedt said. “We’re not comfortable with the level of back orders we have on parts at this point. We’re sensitive to this situation, and we’re working very hard to get parts to our customers.”

“We are aggressively pursuing growth capital for the company that will stabilize the business and allow us to better serve our customers,” Leveque said. “Jim Doody and the entire board of directors are supporting this process and are working to expedite the acquisition of capital.”

Bergstedt and Leveque declined comment on what the capital’s structure could be or when it could be finalized, but Bergstedt noted progress was being made daily.

“We are addressing the fundamental structure of the business,” Bergstedt said.

The machine provides a moving platform with a wide conveyor belt and an electric motor or a flywheel. The belt moves to the rear allowing a person to walk or run an equal, and necessarily opposite, velocity. The rate at which the belt moves is the rate of walking or running. Thus, the speed of running may be controlled and measured. The more expensive, heavy-duty versions are motor-driven. The simpler, lighter, and less expensive versions passively resist the motion, moving only when the walker pushes the belt with their feet.

Ya ya ya!  Great but with the hundreds of treadmills out there, which manufacture and model is right for you?  This is the 1 million dollar question.  Here at  soOlis.com we are here to help answer these questions.  We will provide the pictures and the specifications for almost all the treadmills out there.  You can look at commercial, health club or gym grade treadmills, home treadmills, and of course used treadmills. 

There are three keys to buying a treadmill, the first is the look. Do you like the way it looks? Second, do the specifications meet your needs?  For example, are you concerned about the warranty, does it go fast enough, what is the weight capacity?  And finally, GET ON IT.  Anyone who buys a treadmill without trying the unit is setting themselves up for an expensive coat hanger.  At soOlis.com, we provide the locations where you can get the specific unit you are looking for, so please go try it out!

Precor 966i Treadmill Instructions

I hope you enjoy this latest section of soOlis.com, and we welcome your feedback.

Happy buying and selling!.