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!

Let’s face it: An attractive lean body is good for your libido and your energy level.

Couples That Sweat Together, Stay Together

Firm up, gain confidence and engage with your partner by performing popular activities together – both in and out of the gym. Try yoga and Body Pump class together, or tennis doubles and lifting weights at home.

Even if you live in a multi-family unit or a small apartment, be active together. Maybe book a couples’ massage or a ski lesson – we’d love to hear about your Valentine’s Day Couples Workouts.

Exercise, Sex and Your Brain

When you moderately exercise, the release of endorphins – those feel-good hormones or feelings of pleasure that are created and released in your brain – help create the surefire recipe for a superior love life.

Exercise produces chemicals in the brain that evoke feelings of happiness, reduce stress, and also increase arousal. Several studies show that men and women who exercise together regularly do report better (and more frequent) sex with their partners.

Maybe take a dance class together or join a gym and share a personal trainer. Go easy, but go together as a couple who might move mountains – together.

One of the best things about exercising at the gym or using home exercise equipment side-by-side is that you really do not have to be performing the same activities to get the physical jolt of being together. You do not have to be have to be at the same fitness level to participate in effective couples workouts, according to studies.

We asked some of our favorite exercise experts for their ideas on how to workout as a couple for Valentine’s Day, and received awesome suggestions on how to make each others’ hearts race!

• Try a fitness skill neither one of you has dared to try yet

• Create the ultimate home gym and meet for exercise dates

• Purchase a special personal training package for two

• Be open-minded and keep your partner’s needs (goals, comfort level) in mind

Have no fear, happy couples. Even exercising side-by-side or coming together for the last 15 minutes of stretching may potentially increase your attractiveness and commitment to each other.

Valentine’s Day Workouts That Really Work

Firm up, gain confidence and engage with your partner by performing popular activities together, both in and out of the gym. From yoga and Body Pump classes to doubles tennis and snowshoe excursions, sweating together brings you closer. Research proves it.

Remember this Valentine’s Day, working out as a team might include your whole family, office mates, parents and best friends. When winter hibernation mode kicks in, you’ll need support from your workout buddies to get moving again.

Couples workouts don’t have to just come once a year. Working out with your romantic partner can benefit your body weight, self-esteem and your relationship. The couple that plays together stays together.

Set up a new home gym together for Valentine’s Day; there are many exercise options for working up a sweat together. Now, grab your honey and go for a hike.

Ask soOlis sports and marketing services to help you plan and develop your future content marketing initiatives.

• 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

• 10 – Cybex 630 Arc
• 1 – LifeFitness 95Xe Elliptical
• 3 – StairMaster 7000PT Blue
• 2 – LifeFitness 95Si Stepper
• 5 – LifeFitness 95Ci Upright Bike
• 2 – LifeFitness 9500 Next Gen Upright Bike
• 2 – Cybex Cyclone Upright Bike
• 1 – Universal Aerobicycle Upright Bike
• 1 – Cybex UBE
• 5 – Schwinn Airdyne Bike
• 7 – LifeFitness 95Ti Treadmill
• 1 – Versa Climber 108/109

Strength

• 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 – BodyMaster 8 Stack Jungle
• 1 – Cybex VR2 Abdominal
• 1 – Cybex VR2 Bicep

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

Benches & Accessories

• 1 – Cybex Bent Leg Ab Board
• 1 – Icarian VKR
• 1 – Precor V Crunch
• 1 – Set 10-95 ProStyle Dumbbells 

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 

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

In March 2010, soOlis.com introduced itself to the world through its facility locator and commercial and home equipment locators.   Not more those two months later, soOlis.com rolled out the used equipment locator, buy and sell commercial and home fitness products for FREE.  While all the website development was changing and evolving, soOlis.com  continued to grow by securing several advertising sponsors from some of the largest in the industry, Sport and Health, World Gym, California Family Fitness, Heartline Fitness Systems, Fitness Formula, Fitness Resource, and many more.   And now soOlis.com is creating and overhauling health and wellness websites.

According to Brad Bishop, President/CEO of soOlis.com, said, “This is a natural progression for soOlis.com.  We have our own website development team and our clients have been impressed by the look and functionality of our site.  We look forward to growing this side of our business.”

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

soOlis.com already provides a comprehensive list, specifications, and locations of the best commercial and retail fitness equipment in the world.  Now for individuals who don’t feel the need to purchase new fitness products, they can check out the Used Fitness Equipment section.  Here anyone in the country can list their commercial or retail fitness products for FREE.  So whether you are looking to buy or sell your used fitness equipment soOlis.com should be your first and last choice.

When Brad Bishop President/CEO was asked about the used equipment section he said, “This was a very challenging section to complete.”  He kept going back and forth on a cost factor and whether to make it similar to an auction site.  After awhile, Brad decided to make it FREE.  He said, “We offer FREE leads to fitness manufactures and dealers, we should stay with the core thought process and make the used equipment section FREE also.”

To find out more information on posting used fitness equipment go to www.soolis.com