Academy

A home gym is a must in any household! You can workout from the comfort of your own home, save money on recurring gym costs and have no waiting time for machines!

But how do we create a home gym that is good for you?

Here are some things we need to consider

1. What do we want to get out of the home gym - We have to figure out what we want to achieve from having a home gym. Do we want to improve our cardiovascular fitness? Do we want to gain muscle and improve strength? Or do we just want to lose some body fat?
   
   
2. How much space do we have - It is important to make sure we have the space for everything we want to have. Do we have room for 1 or 2 cardio machines? Do we have room for a Dumbbell Rack? Are we going to have enough room for a G6 All-In-Trainer?
   
   
3. Who is going to be using the machines - Making sure the users are safe is another important factor. Will teenagers be using it? Just the parents? Or will it be used as a Personal Training Studio?

Once we have considered all of these things, we can look at the different types of equipment we can get. Here is a benefits list of the different types.

A home gym isn't complete without accessories as well! You might want to consider:

Exercise mats, resistance bands, massage balls, or a foam roller.

Once you have figured out what is best for you, then we can start shopping!

Here are some common scenarios that we see with our customers, and here are our solutions!

1. Want something for the whole family to us - We would recommend a G6. It is an all in one machine with a functional trainer (lots of exercise options and safe), a built in smith machine (Very safe), a power rack (Great way to build muscle) and great for the price.
2. Wants to build muscle fast - We would recommend a MyRack Package with Barbells/ Weights and dumbbells with a storage rack. Everything here is great for muscle building and strength gains.
3. Want to lose body fat, but is strapped for space - We would recommend a WaterRower. They burn calories fast when used right and are very easy to store away.
4. An elderly couple who wants to keep fit - We would recommend an Andes 5 Cross trainer, as they are low impact and very easy to use.

When purchasing an exercise bike, it's important to think about what your fitness goals are. The reason that this is important is because not all exercise bikes are the same. While it may seem tempting to purchase the cheapest exercise bike you can find, chances are that you will either find it not suitable or worse not use it.

Following are the 3 Things to look for in an Exercise Bike and how it relates to your fitness goals:

1.) FLYWHEEL
The flywheel is essentially a weighted disc inside the exercise bike and is usually connected to the pedal/axle by way of a belt. The flywheel is what provides the momentum as you pedal. Basically the heavier the flywheel the more momentum. This will also translate into how smooth the bike feels.

2.) RESISTANCE METHOD
The resistance on an exercise bike will be either be controlled MANUALLY or ELECTRONICALLY. Manual exercise bikes like Lifespan Exer-58 are a good option if your wanting to maintain fitness or build lower body strength pre & post knee surgery for example.

An electronic exercise bike will typically have a wide range of resistance levels which means that you will have a lot of scope to grow into your exercise bike. Along with the additional resistance levels will be programs. An exercise bike with programs will automatically adjust the resistance according to your desired level of workout intensity.

3.) COMFORT
Finally an exercise bike with an uncomfortable seat will not encourage you to use it. An exercise bike like the Bodyworx AC270AT offers a seat with gel inserts for a nice & comfortable exercise bike experience.

If you want to find out more about which exercise bike is right for you, your welcome to visit our showroom in Narellan.

Going out for your daily walk or run outside is a great way of keeping fit & healthy, however there are times when going outside is neither safe or comfortable. Inclement weather or during times of high heat or pollution can make your exercise routine hazardous to say the least.

If you enjoy walking, jogging or running, having a treadmill at home is the perfect solution to maintaining your exercise regime regardless of whats happening outside your front door.

These days treadmills incorporate a number of new features which make them enjoyable to use in your home.

Quieter
Treadmills today are quieter than earlier models. Good quality treadmills, like those from Horizon Fitness feature digital motors that run at lower revolutions and are also more energy efficient.

Superior Cushioning
Variable Response Cushioning, found only on Horizon Fitness treadmills is designed to absorb as much of the impact of using a treadmill as possible. Much like running in a high quality pair of running shoes, Horizon Fitness treadmills feature a tri-zone running deck that actively adjusts to your running stride.

Entertainment Options
Some modern treadmills allow you to stream your favourite music via Bluetooth from your smartphone to the onboard speakers on the treadmill.
Having a treadmill at home is a great way for the whole family to keep fit & healthy from the comfort of home.

The age old argument regarding free weights vs machine weights continues. While each can help you build strength there are definite pros & cons for each. Furthermore, one of the key questions I ask customers that are looking to purchase strength equipment has to do with what their strength training goals are.

Machine weights

The most important component in any strength training program is safety. If you are new to strength training or if you are working out alone, variable strength machines like the Bodyworx L8000LP might be a better option initially. While machines can be viable option for serious weight training, they are best for novice, senior and recreational athletes.

For rehabilitating injured athletes, variable strength machines are preferred. They provide a more controlled motion and specifically isolate certain muscle groups. Machines also allow you to track progress and provide objective feedback while increasing the protective participation of the healthy limb or muscle group.

Free weights

Research has shown us that free weights promote quicker strength gains and they require more balance and coordination than do the weight machines. Free weights recruit more muscle groups than variable resistance machines, which tend to only isolate specific muscles.

Free weights are also more versatile than machines because they allow for more variations in range of motion. An example of a free weights machine is something like the a Power Rack. The power rack while basic in its form allows the serious weight trainer the ability to do a wide range of exercises that focus on the major muscle groups.

Freight weights also require balance, and they tend to promote more activity of the joint stabilization muscles. Also in terms of cost, you can start out with a few dumbbells.

As mentioned above, your goals will also play a part in deciding which strength training system you choose. If your goal is more about toning & general fitness then a machine weight system may be the go.

Exercise bikes are the most familiar pieces of fitness equipment to people and for good reason. Being compact & very simple to use, exercise bikes are a convenient means of performing your daily exercise from the comfort & safety of your home.

When you are choosing an exercise bike, it's important to look out for these features to ensure you purchase one that feels smooth & comfortable.

Flywheel
The flywheel is a large metal gear that the pedals are connected to via the Crank. You'll often see this as being described as a `One Piece Crank' or `Three Piece Crank'. A Three Piece Crank will feel more smoother as you cycle. Like the wheels on a push bike, the flywheel is what generates the momentum as you pedal.

The weight of the flywheel is what you need to look out for when comparing different exercise bikes. For example, the Bodyworx AC270M features a "5kg" flywheel while the Horizon Paros Pro has a "7kg" flywheel. As a rule of thumb the heavier the flywheel is the more smoother the bike will feel.

Resistance
This is what makes it harder or easier as you pedal along. The variability of the resistance will either be provided manually or by a computer. Generally, you will have less variability on a manual exercise bike (typically 1-8 levels) whereas anything up to 32 with a computer controlled bike.

When deciding on which type to go for, you really need to think about what you want out of using an exercise bike. For example, if you've been prescribed by a physiotherapist to strengthen your knees pre/post surgery, a manually controlled exercise bike may be sufficient. However if your wanting a little more out of it, then a computer controlled bike might be a better option.

When you choose a computer controlled exercise bike like the York C420, not only do you get 32 levels of resistance, but also programs too. The programs will automatically adjust the tension on the bike to make it harder or easier depending on the program selected. More on them next.

Programs
As mentioned above, programs are only provided by exercise bikes which feature computer controlled resistance.

Programs are a useful feature to consider especially if your goal is to lose weight or maintain fitness.

We've got a good selection of exercise bikes in our showroom available for your demonstration.