Weight Benches

The most utilized piece of equipment in any gym is the weight bench. There are three types of benches to choose from flat, incline and decline. Personally, I found that purchasing a multi-purpose weight bench that can be adjusted to all 3 positions was the most cost- and space-effective in my own home gym.

If you prefer to work out alone, like I do, then an Olympic weight bench with an attachable rack for holding a barbell will also double as your spotter. If you're intent on targeting specific muscle groups then abdominal benches, preacher curl benches and upright weight benches will be used aplenty in your home gym.

I hate to plug another product in the weight bench section, but until I had the cash to spend on a weight bench I used a stability ball as my alternative. Workout balls are great space-savers and you can perform exercises in the inclined, seated and declined positions just the same way with a ball as you can with a multi-purpose bench. The same cost-saving method can be taken by replacing a squat stool or any other flat weight bench or step with a milk crate.

When I travel, all I bring with me is my stability ball and a set of dumbbells. That's all I need to work out in a hotel room or friend's home. For your home gym you'll find that a ball not only saves the space and expense needed to cover a larger exercise machine or a variety of benches, but it can also double as a desk chair. In fact, I challenge you to substitute your desk chair for a stability ball for one day. I have no doubt that you'll notice the tautness in your abdominals within in a few hours. This is because balancing yourself in the sitting position on a stability ball forces you to keep your abs taunt and flexed.

Remember folks, it's doesn't matter if you have an assortment of fancy over-priced fitness equipment or not, what's most important is that you're working out. Your body doesn't know the difference as long as you're performing your workouts safely.