Dunham's rewards

Whether you’re looking to create a stricter workout schedule to tone your glutes for that winter getaway to the beach, or a surefire way to cut down on the belly fat the holidays are bound to pack on, working out consistently is crucial to staying healthy. And working out at home can be a great way to stay in shape — now and throughout the year.
 
As a self proclaimed exercise fanatic, and frankly, someone who doesn’t usually need that extra push to work out, I have to be honest… winter is a challenging time of year, even for me, when it comes to sticking to my normal exercise routine.
 
It gets dark early, so at 4 p.m. it feels like bedtime — not time for a workout. Snow and ice are less than motivating when it comes to hitting the streets for a run. And constant holiday parties with hors d’ oeuvres by the tray full put a real cramp in my workout schedule — not to mention a few extra pounds on my scale.
 
Let’s face it: gym memberships can be pricey — especially if you join as a family — and in the immortal words of my less-than-workout-motivated husband, “Unfortunately, money is tight, my abs are not!”
 
Fortunately, there are some really great home gym options that can make working out year round convenient, affordable, and hopefully, a habit that sticks with the whole family.
 
But before I start rattling on about all of the cool equipment on the market — and all of the benefits a home gym has to offer — let me point out one important fact: the hardest part about setting up a home gym isn’t picking the right equipment, it’s actually using it. We all know that it’s easy to get complacent (especially when you don’t have to hold yourself accountable to a monthly membership fee at a gym), so there are some important things to keep in mind before you run out to purchase your own workout equipment.
 
 First, be realistic.
 
What is it you are hoping to accomplish with your workouts? Are you training to qualify for the Boston Marathon? Is your husband hoping to become the next Ironman champion? Or do you just want to be fit enough so that you don’t get winded trying to keep up with your 4 year-old at the park? These aren’t trick questions, but your answers are important with regards to choosing the best home gym equipment for you and your family.
 
Think about it: if you’re the most athletic one in the family, and that equates to working out only 30 minutes a day, 3 days a week, chances are, you don’t need the
ultimate of all
equipment. However, if you or someone in your family is really serious about physical fitness, and that means working out for an hour or more 5 or 6 days a week, you probably want to consider some of the higher end equipment.
 
Take treadmills for example. One of the more popular home gym staples, treadmills come in a variety of different models. Some are perfect for beginners, some are more suited to top-level athletes (and come with a more top-dollar price tag), and some give you more bang for your buck regardless of your fitness level.
 
According to Todd Boerboom at Johnson Health Tech — the company that manufactures both Horizon and Merit Fitness at Dunham’s — the Horizon T101 is a great mid-level treadmill that offers a good size running platform, a quiet motor, low RPMs (something that is important with regards to the life span of the motor), and neat little extras like MP3 and iPod ports.
 
“This treadmill is a combination of everything,” says Boerboom. “It’s a good value, really durable, and it has great features that the whole family can use.”
 
When it comes to a true “runners’ treadmill,” however, Craig Bailey of Icon Health and Fitness likes the ProForm 790T.
 
“The 790T has lots of bells and whistles,” says Bailey. “It has an extra large 20”x 55” treadbelt, and digital quickspeed to 12 MPH. The 2.5 Continuous horse power motor has a life time warranty. And best of all it is WiFi compatible which lets you run different virtual trails from the comfort of home, thanks to Google maps.”
 
Another popular piece of home equipment — the elliptical trainer  — offers a great way to get an upper and lower body, non-impact, cardio workout.
 
“Elliptical trainers are really about feel, function and ergonomics,” says Boerboom. “You can get a really functional, durable machine like the EX59, for about $600, but you really have to try different machines to make sure the stride is comfortable for you — and anyone else in the family who will be using it.”
 
 Next, be practical.
 
Think about how much space you really have to devote to a home gym. Are you setting up shop in a 4000 square foot basement or a tiny studio apartment?
 
The bottom line is this: If your equipment overwhelms your space or is not easily accessible, you won’t use it. And nothing is more depressing than a piece of gym equipment that turns into an expensive coat hanger.
 
That’s why John Guilbert, at  Impex Inc., likes the Marcy MWM 980 stack home gym.
 
“This gym is compact, but it offers a wide variety of exercises for toning and strength,” says Guilbert. “It has a 150 lb stack, and is a good system for the recreational/family user as you can train every part of your body with it.”
 
Guilbert, whose company also sells weight benches, says that it is important to consider stability, as well as the right fit for your body size and weight capacity when purchasing a bench. According to him, unless you have a teenager — or someone who is into extreme bodybuilding — chances are, you won’t need a bench that holds more than 400 lbs of weight.
 
“I like the mid-size MD859P,” says Guilbert. “It’s a versatile, multi-purpose workout bench that adjusts to flat, incline, decline and military positions. It lets you work every part of your body.”
 
In addition to the “big stuff” that we all think of for a gym, there are also some accessories that can help take your workout to the next level.
 
Chuck Last, with EB Sports, sells items like jump ropes, stability balls, exercise tubes, foam rollers, exercise mats, toning bands, and kettle bells, to name a few.
 
“If I had to pick three accessories to include in a home gym,” says Last, “it would be a mat, a body ball, and resistance tubes, because you can work all parts of your body with these three items alone.”
 
Still not sold on the home gym versus the gym membership? Well, think about this: it currently costs about $35 a month for a single membership. That’s $420 a year for just you! Family memberships are usually closer to $50, so you’re really looking at about $600 a year. For that money, you could start a really nice home gym, only have to pay a one-time start up fee, and reap the rewards from a fitness center that is open 24 hours!
 
Look, if you’re into bad techno remixes or working out on a machine already soaked with someone else’s sweat, the gym may be for you. But, if you’d rather workout without an audience, in comfy clothes (that don’t have to match, by the way!), there are some really great equipment options that can help you get in shape now — and throughout the year — right in the comfort of your own home.
 
-Fitness Fanatic