One Fit Geek

Photo by Rule4 Building Group. See more modern home gym designs

Part 1 – Should I buy gym equipment?

If you are a typical geek like me, you would rather workout at home instead of going to a gym. And chances are that you already own some equipment which is either defective or not accessible, deeply burden under boxes or used as a laundry dryer rack.

I am serious.

Think about it.

I had an elliptical which we were no longer using because the battery compartment trap door was broken. I have a friend who has a treadmill with a defective computer display. Another one has an exercise bike with a non operative resistance. I know so many people in this same situation. Buying the machine was the easiest part. Using it was already more demanding. When it needs repair or some work to be operational again, it surely seems like a chore.

You need to sort this out. Either fix it, get it fixed or get it out. As long as you have this non-operational machine you will not be able to buy any other equipment. Either your subconscious mind or your spouse will remind you that you already own some equipment which you are not using. You need to take action.

If you did not already have something that only needed to be repaired, or if you did but concluded that it is beyond repair, then you might consider buying a new machine. But hold on – do you really need a machine? For cardio, running does not require much more than a good pair of running shoes. And I am sure you can find some stairs close by if not in your house.

For weight training, look into body weight exercises. An excellent book on that topic is You are Your Own Gym, by Mark Lauren. There is also an app to complement the book.

I understand that some people do need to have some equipment anyway to find the motivation to train at home. The motivation can come from the desire to justify the expense or the space it occupies in your living room. Either way, if you do want to purchase some equipment, I have a tip for you. Look into the used marketplace. Craigslist, eBay, kijiji or your local supermarket bulletin board have plenty of deals on lightly used home gym equipment. Once installed in your home, it will not make much difference whether you bought it brand new or used, except for significant savings.