Ok, so it's not New Years' Day and this isn't your resolution. But that doesn't mean you can't take the plunge and get a home fitness "center" set up at your abode to begin getting your body in the right shape.

The key to a home gym isn't really "should I" (unless your unmotivated, of course, and then it can become a huge waste of cash) but is rather more about which kind. That can make a big difference both in your wallet and in your results.

If you're starting out fresh, you can typically expect to spend less as the starter sets that have less weight (approx. 110-lbs.) usually run a lot less than the Olympic-style sets that boast an immediate 300-lbs. weight load at purchase.

What genre of working out and subsequently what results you're looking for (i.e. cardio, muscle mass, flexibility) should also play a pivotal role in your equipment decision.

"The biggest mistake folks make when putting together a home gym is buying too much fitness equipment or things that are too complicated to use," says personal trainer Jessica M. Bottesch, MA, LAT, CSCS, co-owner of Empower Personal Training in Durham, N.C. (WebMd.com)

The second biggest mistake, she says, is "buying all the same type of equipment, like all cardio or all strength training, and not realizing how that limits what you can accomplish."

The key here: Diversify. No matter what you're looking to accomplish you don't want to limit your equipment purchases to just those results. Once you achieve your goals in that area you'll invariably need to go out and buy more stuff to progress further, anyway.

Subscribe for only $6.00 to L.O.I.R.E. Magazine's printed version today to be sure to partake of all the helpful tips in in our Health and Nutrition section.

Videos: Via L.O.I.R.E. Magazine, unless otherwise noted.
Photos: Alex Aranha, Adreanne Aranha, James Terry (when noted) and contribtions from various outside sources. Courtesy of L.O.I.R.E. Magazine

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy. © 2008 ABA-ALA, Inc. All rights reserved.
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of ABA-ALA, Inc.
Loiremagazine.com is a member ofABA-ALA , which includes L.O.I.R.E. Magazine.
Loiremagazine.com is a trademark owned by ABA-ALA, Inc.