With the increase of outlandish club membership fees, many people are considering building their own home gym, complete with cardio and weightlifting equipment, workout mats, full-sized wall mirror-even the all-essential clothes hamper. Is this a practical solution for you? Read on for some things to consider before making this transition.



Finally! You can work out in the comfort of your own home all alone. There's no one ogling while you flex those gluteus muscles. No one sneering at you as you take your time the finish your cycling routine. No one to make small chat with.

While it may sound appealing now, there are some practical questions to address before investing in your own gym-at-home. For instance, regarding space, what types of dimensions are you working with? And is the structure of your workout space durable enough for the weightiness of the equipment you'd like to set up?

Are you motivated to actually get the type of work out that you require? While some people feel uncomfortable working out in public places, the advantage to doing so is that you're expected to do some type of workout in the gym. It takes a lot of discipline to get out of bed (or up from that cozy sofa) and exert yourself in your own home gym, particularly if you live alone. On the other hand, inviting a friend to join you for a home workout can add some impetus to your routine.

Do you live in an apartment? If so, would the use of your home gym disturb your neighbors? Would the use of a home gym conflict with your leasing agreement?

Quite naturally, one would consider the costs involved in converting a spare room into a home gym. While prices vary (home gym equipment can range anywhere from $200 to well over $3,000-just for starters), you'd want to consider your particular needs. You might ask yourself: Is the cost of the equipment worth the amount of time I can spare to work out? Does the brand of equipment matter, or can I get the same type of workout with a lesser known brand? Am I comfortable with purchasing used equipment, or must I have new equipment?

Before committing to these and other factors for converting that back room into a workout area, see your family physician prior to beginning any workout routine. This is not only common sense, it's also essential in getting the maximum benefit of your routine. While you might envision bench pressing 250 pounds, your doctor might not agree, given your past history with your bad back. Besides, your doctor knows your physical condition likely better than you, so make sure he or she is well aware of which items you'd like to purchase for your workout regimen.

Now that you've considered these and other questions, it's time to actually purchase your equipment. Are you familiar with all the options available to you? Do you have any knowledge of the hundreds of brands that are out there? If not, you might want to consider running background checks on various consumer web sites. Make sure you receive a more-than-adequate warranty along with your purchase. A simple fly-by-night warranty might be okay for the purchase of that TV remote control, but given the enormous finances involved in equipping a home gym-and the strenuous use of equipment-make sure that you don't come out short-changed.

Still determined to have that home gym? Good for you! Now invest in a pair of good workout shoes and get to work!