So the question is: how can I stay on top of my exercise plan?

Fall is coming and the temperature is dropping. But let’s hope your workouts aren’t about to disappear as fast as the summer’s heat. I know it can be uncomfortable to make it out to the car on a cold morning let alone get out of bed when you see any number below 40 degrees on the thermostat. Excuse after excuse you just never have time for the gym.

(Photo Credit: quickmeme)

How often do I work out? What exercises do I typically like? What machines will I need to fit those types of exercises? How much space am I willing to dedicate to my home gym?

These simple questions help you form what you desire to accomplish for your new gym. Whether you are just building a temporary workout space for the season or whether you are committing to workout 100% from home, you need to find out what exercises work best for you.

Step 2: Organize

Crucial to your psychological and physical health is a clean and organized space. At the moment it might be impossible to build a home gym in your garage with all of the junk you have accumulated over the years. Find time to “kill the clutter” and organize your garage in order to give you an idea of how much space you are really working with.

Step 3: Flooring

The flooring for your home gym is crucial. After cleaning out your garage, protect your investment with some strong floor covering that will prevent the concrete from cracking or pitting. Also be sure to have rubber flooring that is at least ½” thick to protect your concrete floor from being damaged by heavy weights being dropped. The rubber mats can be expensive. Start your home gym by buying enough to cover your weight lifting areas and then buy more mats as time and money allow.

Step 4: Equipment

Now we circle back to the beginning, what kind of exercises do you typically incorporate into your workout? If you know what you are doing, then you already know what to buy and where to go. If working out is new to you then you should at least stick with the essentials. I spoke with Ryan Jones, an exercise equipment consultant from Gym Source, to get some expert advice and he mentioned a few key machines and equipment to start with:

– Adjustable Bench

– Dumbbells

– Dumbbell Rack/Stand

– Kettlebells

– Resistance Bands

– Bosuball

Bonus Tips:

If you have a small budget, you may be turning to exercise equipment forums or craigslist for used or refurbished equipment. If this is your route be sure to do your research! Ryan Jones offered some simple advice for buying used gear:

Try out the equipment (simple. just do it.) Check for signs of heavy wear and tear and ask the seller about the parts that look questionable (will this last as long as I need it to?) Write down the serial number for the equipment and run the number through the manufacturer to see if they have any recorded issues in the past or if the warranty is able to transfer (assuming the warranty still exists) Ask why the user is getting rid of the equipment (this is HUGE, this will show you the attitude of the seller if they are honestly selling decent equipment or if they are trying to move their problem to someone else at a profit)

(Photo Credit: quickmeme)

Step 5: Create Workout Plan and Get to Work!

Now that you have your gym all set up, start searching for exercises, workout plans, fitness and health blogs, and personal trainer advice to put together the best workout strategy for your needs. Then get to the gym!

(Photo Credit: diet-expert)