by Danielle Dames

Created on: January 23, 2008   Last Updated: June 30, 2009

So you want to lift weights at home. Perhaps you want to maintain or improve your health, boost your strength or increase your power. Perhaps you want to turn your hobby into something more competitive. Perhaps you want to trade the beer bottle for the barbell. Beginner or advanced, you want to work out, and you want to do it at home. What do you need?

The Reason

Recognizing your reason means understanding your motivation, and this keeps you focused. Not only can you build strength, power, muscle and bone density with continual weight training, let's not forget confidence. And you don't have to be training for the aesthetics; if only to give you the strength and energy to chase your kids around the yard - or your partner around the bed - the benefits abound.

The Location

Think about where you want to set up your gym. A dedicated space. You don't want to be dragging a full set of dumbbells out of the cupboard every time you want to train. The basement... the garage... the spare room... have a look at the space you want to use and check for these qualities:

- A strong floor. You'll be training with weights. An upstairs room may not be your best choice.

- Ventilation. You need a good supply of oxygen when your training. Though a basement may be ideal with it's concrete foundations, check to make sure it has a window or other supply of fresh air.

- Adequate heating and cooling. Not only will it motivate you to be in the space, but a comfortable temperature will help reduce injuries.

- Soundproofing. Don't give the neighbors or your family a reason to complain. Choosing a room with adequate insulation or soundproofing, or a room away from populated areas of the house, will ensure this doesn't happen.

The Equipment

- To train weights at home you'll need you guessed it - weights. Scour the local classifieds. A set of dumbbells ranging from 5 to 35lb and a straight barbell with two 10lb and two 20lb plates is a good start. As you progress you will add to it. With this combination you'll have a powerful arsenal of weight lifting equipment to work with.

- Adjustable bench. This will be your flat bench and your seat. If the budget doesn't stretch that far, think about a simple flat bench, and a sturdy chair to start.

- Stretching mat. A vinyl-covered foam mat is durable and easy to clean. 1.5" thick is the minimum. You don't want to be feeling the concrete floor under you when you're stretching.

- Skipping rope. A simple leather rope that doesn't tangle

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