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To plan your method of working out at home, let's assume that you don't have a large space available for your weight lifting equipment.
The only things you really need are a bench and some free weights (barbells and dumbbells). But it would also be a good idea to purchase some exercise bands that you can use to do a bunch of different exercises to compliment the bench exercises. This will help diversify your strength training program.
Here are a couple of the strength training exercise items that you will definitely need:
1 - Weight bench
The weight bench that you buy should be multi-functional. In other words, it should be able to incline as well as lay flat. Some benches can even decline as well. It isn't necessary to have a flat/decline/incline bench or even a flat/incline bench, but I highly recommend it.
This type of weight bench will allow you to do a lot more exercises as you get into your program a bit more.
2 - Free weights
There are countless types of free weights to choose from. There are barbells and traditional dumbbells that range in weight anywhere between 1 pound and 200 pounds.
Depending on how much space you have and how much weight you think you'll be lifting, this will determine what kind of dumbbells you will be looking for.
One great item that comes to mind is the PROBELL 30 Classic Adjustable Dumbbell System. I know it sounds intimidating, but it really isn't. It's actually quite a space saver. It consists of a pair of dumbbells that can go from 2 1/2 pounds to 30 pounds each, in 2 1/2 pound increments, with the turn of a dial. So in other words, you get 12 pairs of dumbbells all in 1 pair!
This is a great product and I definitely recommend it, especially if you need to save as much space as possible.
You can purchase this item by visiting my website and finding it in the "Products" page under the BIG FITNESS link. It is called the ProBell Classic.
Another option, or rather an accompaniment, to the weight bench and free weights, is a set of exercise bands.
For those of you who aren't familiar with these, they are simply elastic rubber bands with handles at the ends. Some units also have ankle straps for leg exercises. I personally use these myself and with all my clients. I love them!
BODYLASTICS is a great company that makes an excellent little package of exercise bands. It includes 4 bands (each one a little harder), 2 handles, 2 ankle straps, 1 door anchor, and a video and booklet. At the time of this printing the price for the entire package is only $50, a great value. These are also available on my website on the "Products" page.
Now that we've discussed equipment, let's move on to the workouts themselves...
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About the author:
Kevin Valluzzi is the owner of A&B Fitness, an in-home personal training company
located in northern New Jersey. He holds a degree in Exercise Physiology and is
certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a Health & Fitness
Instructor.
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