Building an affordable home gym

Just six weeks ago, you ran right out and bought a gym membership. This time you were going to stick with it, no matter what.

But once again, life has gotten in the way. The machines there don't like you. The day care doesn't sit well with your little ones. You hurt your back trying to open the door.

Face it. For some, regular exercise at a fitness center may not be in the cards. You're thinking your commitment to good health will last with regular exercise at home.

So, it's time to set aside space at home for a new and improved you. But will your slim budget and tight quarters support your dream?

"You really don't need to spend a ton of money to develop a home gym or a space to exercise," says Bo Taylor, Daniel Island Club fitness and aquatics manager. "On the lower end, you could start out with a stability ball and you're only talking $10 or $15. A bosu will run between $80 or $100. A couple of pairs of dumbbells could cost $200."

Taylor says even those who want a treadmill or elliptical for their exercise space need only spend $200 to $1,000 for it. Those spurred to get fit just because it's a new year, probably should start with a $200 one and see how frequently they'll use it.

And finding space to dedicate for your workouts should not be a problem, says Taylor, also a personal trainer and owner of Bo Knows Fitness. Personal training studios in homes can be less than 10-by-10 feet, he says. Part of a small bedroom or office should be plenty of room.

"The biggest thing is not the financial or the space, it is really the commitment to do it at home," Taylor says. "It's taking the time to make the time to do a workout."

Taylor adds that those who have

$1,500 to spend and know they will keep their commitment can purchase several relatively inexpensive pieces: a good treadmill or elliptical, stability ball, bosu and a few dumbbells. Any money left over can be used to buy elastic bands for resistance and stretching, and a foam roller for developing flexibility and breaking up knots in muscles.

Keep it simple

"You can work in your living room," says Lisa Lewerke, personal trainer and owner of Pura Vita Fitness. "I don't think you have to set aside a room. All you really need is a variety of sizes of weights and dumbbells. Those who want to spend a little more can also get a medicine ball and swiss ball. And they might also need a mat. Some might want to buy a bench with a bar, but they would need to a have a small room for it.

"What people should know is they don't need a lot of equipment," Lewerke says. "As far as your cardio, you could step outside and take a jog."

Taylor suggests those wanting to go high-end, first have a personal trainer develop a program for them and help them to select equipment. No inexperienced person should spend thousands of dollars before getting expert advice.

For new, moderately priced equipment, they can visit places such as the Sports Authority or major discounters, Taylor says. He recommends checking out places such as Charleston Fitness Equipment that sell both new and used equipment.

Most people who visit the Sports Authority want treadmills, ellipticals or something else they've seen on television, says Andrew Biswell, manager of the store's hard line department. Their biggest concerns are how much weight a piece of equipment will help them lose and how much space it will take up.

Those spending $800 get a treadmill, dumb bells and kettle bells, Biswell says. Spending $1,500 moves a person into the high-end range of those pieces.

When it comes to space, an average treadmill will require about 6 1/2-by-3 feet of space, he says. All of the store's treadmills fold up for easy storage under beds and in closets. Some have a gas component that makes folding easier for people without a lot of upper-body strength.

Those who use dumbbells and kettle bells need bigger spaces, maybe 10-by-10 feet, because they need to spread their arms, Biswell says. Usually a finished room over a garage or an office that has only a desk is a good place to set up a home exercise space.

He says that before deciding on equipment or space, people should check with a physician to see what they can safely do.

A final word

"Find something you are going to enjoy," Taylor says.

Treadmills may burn more calories, but people who don't like to walk will probably end up using them as big, expensive clothes hangers.

And those who can't afford any equipment at all can do push-ups, jump-ups and sit-ups.