For more than 20 years, our Retail Sales Department has helped thousands of consumers build successful fitness rooms in their homes. So no matter what space or budget constraints you might be facing, we'll work with you to ensure your goals and objectives are met.

AKFIT carries consumer cardio and strength training equipment from the industry's leading manufacturers. Keep in mind; there are many things to consider when selecting exercise equipment for your home, so it's important to consult with an industry expert before making such an important decision.

Finding the right exercise equipment just got easier with RoomFIT by AKFIT. We can help you get the results you want. Our fitness consultants will help you design the ultimate home fitness centre.

Whether you are considering a simple home gym or the latest technology in exercise equipment we can meet your needs.

No matter how small a space you have or how little a budget, RoomFIT is customized to include what is important.

Talk to our fitness consultants and pick the room that is right for you.

Contact us at sales@akfit.com



Treadmills

Compatibility and reliability are two key components in selecting a treadmill for your home. Purchase one that doesn't suit your needs and it'll end up as an expensive clothes rack. Select one that fails to meet your expectations and you'll find yourself disappointed and lighter in the wallet for all the wrong reasons.

AKFIT offers consumer treadmills from the industry's leading manufacturers that range in price from $998.00 -$5,000. Which one's right for you will depend on a number of considerations including your goals, objectives, and budget.

Consult our professionals before making such an important decision. All of our salespeople are non-commissioned certified fitness equipment specialists-trained to match you with the right piece of home exercise equipment-so take advantage of their expertise before making a purchase.


The 7 Basic Components to look at when selecting a Treadmill

 

Frames

• The frame of a treadmill is one of the most important elements that determine the quality of the machine. There are two main points to a frame-what it's made of and how it's assembled.
   
• There are two materials a treadmill is typically made of: steel or aluminium. A steel frame's thickness is measured in gauge. The lower the gauge the thicker the steel. A lower gauge frame will be more solid and durable. Department store and low-end treads are typically made of higher gauge steel. AKFIT treadmill's consist of only solid welded heavy gauge steel frames.
   
• There are three ways a treadmill can be put together: welded, Huck fastened, or bolted. A welded treadmill is the standard: the frame will hold up under almost any abuse. Huck fasteners are the premium. Huck fasteners are similar in concept to bolts but are the most accurate fastener, creating a perfectly flush joint, which lowers vibration and noise in the unit. Both aluminum and steel frames can be either welded or Huck fastened. Bolted frames are the least favorable. For walking treadmills, bolts are fine, but the more abuse a bolted treadmill takes, the more bolts will loosen and compromise the stability of the frame. 
  
   

Motors

• The drive motor of a treadmill is what moves the belt across the deck. The effectiveness of a motor is not determined by horsepower, it is determined by the elements of the entire drive system (belt, deck, rollers, fly wheel etc.) A good motor should last under average conditions, 100,000 miles.
   
• Horsepower is one of the most misunderstood elements of a treadmill motor. Many people believe that they need at least a 2hp motor. Horsepower can be rated two different ways: continuous and peak. Continuous hp is what the treadmill runs at when all the components are up and running and the inertia of the exercise is fully realized. This is the important rating because this is what the treadmill is running at almost all of the time. Peak horsepower is the maximum hp the treadmill can achieve when stressed.
   
• This hp is rarely, if ever, fully realized. If a treadmill can achieve at least 1.5 continuous duty hp, than it should be able to handle most any load. All AKFIT treadmill motors are rated above 1.5 continuous duty hp, however it is the overall combination of the efficiency of the motor, tread belt, deck and rollers as well as the treadmill cooling system that contribute more to the output, longevity and quality of a motor than the horsepower.
  
   

Rollers

• Rollers are another key element that determines the quality of a treadmill. The rollers are located in the front and back of the treadmill and are powered by the motor to guild the belt over the deck.
   
• The rear rollers absorb much of the impact of a foot-plant and, if the roller is not well made, it will bow and/or break under the pressure. Also, the smoothness of the roller helps determine how hard the motor has to work to move the belt. A crowned roller help keep the belt aligned and tensioned properly.
   
• AKFIT's Treadmills all have rollers that have sealed bearings. The rollers spin on a shaft that is surrounded by ball bearings. Sealing these bearings off from the outside elements makes them last longer, run more efficiently and quietly because there is no foreign debris to interfere.
  
  
   

Decks

• Decks are the actual surface that the belt passes over and is what supports your bodyweight on the machine. Decks are generally made of wood. Plywood decks are the cheapest and least favorable, low-density pressboard decks are better, however a high-density fiberboard deck is most optimum.
  Not all treadmills have shock absorption capability. The more effective and elaborate the shock-absorption system the more costly the tread will be. Shock-absorption helps cut down on wear and tear on knees, ankles, hips, backs and all joints. It is more important for runners than walkers because a runner hits the deck harder than a walker. The better running treads will typically have better shock absorption.

A belt that is stitched together with a straight stitched seam will not hold together as well as a belt stitched at an angle. A 2-ply belt typically lasts five years and should be changed when you change a deck. Proper belt tension and cleaning will also affect the performance and longevity of a treadmill belt.

If your knees can't take it and the thought of pedaling nowhere fast lacks appeal, the elliptical cross-trainer may have been designed with you in mind. With this ever-popular machine, you can combine the impact conformity of a treadmill with the low-impact cushioning of a stationary bike. More importantly, you'll receive the benefit of a full aerobic workout by easily propelling your heart rate into the fat-burning zone.

1. The user's knee never bends past his/her toes-the rule of thumb for keeping strain off of the knee joint.
2. The motion goes both forward (glute and quadriceps) and reverse (glute and hamstrings) allowing the user to get a more complete lower body workout and also alleviating boredom.
3. There is no-impact on your body.
4. The machine's pedal spacing.

Ellipticals measure distance in miles/km and pace in strides per minute. Basic elliptical electronics should include time, distance, pace, total strides and calories burned. More advanced programming will include automatic changes that vary your workout. The most advanced machines will come equipped with a wireless heart rate monitor that will allow the machine to change the workout according to your biofeedback to keep you working out in your desired heart rate zone. This allows you to maximize the time you spend on the machine.

When choosing a cross-trainer, be aware of the biomechanics of the machine. The size of the stride length, the angle of your body on the machine, the way your knee bends throughout the motion, foot spacing and the positioning of your foot on the pedal can all play a huge part in the performance and comfort of the machine. Many so-called "ellipticals" are elliptical cross-trainers in name only. They are poorly designed and are not the result of any research (other than market research!). Test several different types of elliptical cross-trainers before making a decision. You will notice an enormous difference. This is one of the few machines on the market that you must try before you buy.
 

Shock Absorption

• Not all treadmills have shock absorption capability. The more effective and elaborate the shock-absorption system the more costly the tread will be. Shock-absorption helps cut down on wear and tear on knees, ankles, hips, and backs. It is more important for runners than walkers because a runner hits the deck harder than a walker. The better running treads will typically have better shock absorption.
  
   

Belts

• Belts absorb most of the abuse on a treadmill because all of the friction and impact that is caused by running occurs directly on the belt. Belts can be 1- ply, 2-ply, 4-ply. A 1-ply belt is made of simply a plastic/rubber composite and does not wear as well as a thicker belt. A 2-ply belt can handle more abuse because the second ply is a polyester backing that absorbs heat and keeps it from getting to the rubber. A 4-ply belt is generally not any better than a 2-ply belt. A few treadmill companies use a 4-ply belt as a marketing tool. The two extra plies are just layers of rubber and polyester. These extra layers never actually touch the running surfaces.
   
• A belt that is stitched together with a straight stitched seam will not hold as well as a belt stitched at an angle. A 2-ply belt typically lasts five years and should be changed when you change a deck.
  
   

Electronics

• Electronics are generally what catch a customer's eye first, but are not a determining factor in terms of quality. From basic electronics to the top of the line may only be the difference of $300-$400. What customers really pay for is durability.
   
• Electronics do however provide many useful motivational functions; some are just for fun and others are engineered to maximize the quality of one's workout.
  Basic electronics will simply tell one the time, distance, calories burned, etc. and allow the customer to adjust speed and elevation with the touch of a button. Other electronics will simulate hills by lifting and lowering automatically in pre-set programs. Still others can be programmed by the user to follow a pattern of hills the user designs.
   
• The most elaborate and useful electronics will actually read a user's heart rate and automatically adjust its elevation to keep the user in his/her target heart-rate zone. These are called Heart-rate interactive treadmills.
   

Ellipticals

If your knees can't take it and the thought of pedaling nowhere fast lacks appeal, the elliptical cross-trainer may have been designed with you in mind. With this ever-popular machine, you can combine the impact conformity of a treadmill with the low-impact cushioning of a stationary bike. Moreover, you'll receive the benefit of a full aerobic workout by easily propelling your heart rate into the fat-burning zone.

You may choose between models that offer stationary or dual-action arm supports. With either choice, your lower body will feel the full elliptical motion with virtually no impact to the ankles, knees, hips and back. Reverse foot pedal movement allows for action variety while targeting different muscle groups.

AKFIT offers consumer elliptical cross-trainers from the industry's leading manufacturers that range in price from $998-$5,000. Which one's right for you will depend on a number of considerations including your goals, objectives, and budget.


The Features and Basic Components to look at when selecting an Elliptical Cross-trainer

Elliptical Cross-trainers were introduced in 1995 as a safer and more versatile exercise than stair climbing. They are called elliptical because of the motion that your feet make as you perform the exercise. They are cross-trainers because they can simulate walking, stepping, biking and cross-country skiing. Because you use so many large muscles during the exercise, cross trainers are one of the best weight loss and calorie burning exercises.

Proven to be one of the most effective glute workouts, cross-trainers are extremely popular because the user experiences a low perceived exertion, meaning it doesn't feel like you are working as hard as you do on other exercise equipment; however your heart rate is elevated the same. Although there are many imitations, mass-merchandised cross-trainers, the products that are true to the category all exhibit these 4 features:

1. The user's knee never bends past his/her toes-the rule of thumb for keeping strain off of the knee joint.
2. The motion goes both forward (glute and quadriceps) and reverse (glute and hamstrings) allowing the user to get a more complete lower body workout and also alleviating boredom.
3. There is no-impact on your body.
4. The machine's pedals are connected to a larger flywheel that facilitates the motion.
    

Motors/Resistance

• Cross-trainer's pedals are not driven by a motor but can have motorized resistance so that it can be changed to make it harder or easier to pedal. Nearly all elliptical cross-trainers in existence today use magnetic resistance. Some are electro-magnetic, meaning that a magnet controls the resistance and electricity controls how strong the magnet is. Others use a magnetic brake, which means that the magnet(s) that control the resistance can be adjusted to move closer or farther away from the flywheel either manually or automatically to create resistance.
   

Programmability

• Ellipticals measure distance in miles and pace in strides per minute. Basic elliptical electronics should include time, distance, pace, total strides and calories burned. More advanced programming will include automatic changes that vary your workout. The most advanced machines will come equipped with a wireless heart rate monitor that will allow the machine to change the workout according to your biofeedback to keep you working out in your desired heart rate zone. This allows you to maximize the time you spend on the machine.
   

Dual-action

• Most all elliptical cross-trainers are dual-action, meaning you involve the upper body as well as the lower body. The pedals will be connected to the arms so that both move at the same time. The advantage of this is that you can take some of the workload off of your lower body and transfer it to your upper body. There is no advantage in terms of calorie burn-if someone tells you this, he or she is incorrect! Muscles burn calories as fuel, if you transfer the workload from one muscle group to another you are not increasing the calorie burn you are simply transferring it. However by being able to share the workload among both upper and lower muscle you are often able to workout longer and harder therefore resulting in more calories burned.
   

Adjustability

• Beyond the forward and backward cross-training capabilities of an elliptical machine, some also offer other adjustments or options that allow an even greater range of muscular involvement. These adjustments include an adjustable incline which changes the shape of the elliptical path that your stride travels along thus changing the muscles affected by the exercise. Other manufactures have included an adjustable stride length that also effectively changes the elliptical path of the stride.
   

Biomechanics

• When choosing a cross-trainer, be aware of the biomechanics of the machine. The size of the stride length, the angle of your body on the machine, the way your knee bends throughout the motion, to the positioning of your foot can all play a huge part in the performance and comfort of the machine. Many so-called "ellipticals" are elliptical cross-trainers in name only. They are poorly designed and are not the result of any research (other than market research!). Test several different types of elliptical cross-trainers before making a decision. You will notice an enormous difference. This is one of the few machines on the market that must be tried before you buy.
  
   

Exercise Bikes

If you are looking for cardio equipment you may want to consider a stationary bike. Bikes are generally less expensive and more space-friendly than treadmills, exercise bikes offer a full cardio workout from either the upright or recumbent position.

As a non weight-bearing exercise, bicycling is often recommended for people suffering from the complications of excessive weight or orthopaedic injury. When performed properly, bike resistance increases smoothly without straining the joints or overstressing muscles and connective tissue.

AKFIT offers consumer exercise bikes from the industry's leading manufacturers that range in price from $399-3,000. Which one's right for you will depend on a number of considerations including your goals, objectives, and budget.

Types of Stationary Bikes

There are two different categories of bikes, upright and recumbent. Within each category there are different subdivisions.

• Upright bikes can either be single or dual-action.
• Dual action bikes use both the upper and lower body in the exercise.
• Recumbent bikes can be either fully or semi-recumbent.
  
   

Facts and Principles you need to know about Exercise Bikes
 

Recumbent Bikes

• Recumbent bikes are bikes that have their seats in a reclined position. Fully recumbent bikes are fully reclined; semi-recumbent bikes are only partially reclined. By being in the recumbent position, you take pressure off of your back (unlike an upright bike). Also, you bring your feet and legs more parallel to your heart, the rule of thumb for reducing blood pressure during the exercise. Recumbent bikes are ideal for people with high blood pressure or bad backs. Also, the seat is much bigger and more comfortable than on a traditional upright bike. A more comfortable seat will encourage you to stay on the bike longer during each workout, which over time will increase results significantly.
  
  Being reclined will not change the feel of the exercise, but it does change the way it affects the muscle. The recumbent bike uses more hamstring than quadriceps; the opposite is true for an upright bike. They also work the abdominal group more so than an upright bike. A recumbent bike's seat will typically have some lumbar support as well as some adjustability in the incline to allow individuals with larger mid areas to sit more comfortably.
   

Dual-Action/ Recumbent Elliptical

• A dual-action bike allows you to exercise both your upper and lower body while cycling. The arms and legs are usually dependent on each other, meaning that when one moves so does the other. The advantages of this includes, greater all-body muscle toning and the ability to transfer some of the workload from the legs to the arms. Being able to transfer the workload is ideal for someone who is rehabilitating a leg injury or has other leg or hip problems, as well allow an individual to stay on the bike longer by sharing the workload.
   

Manual Resistance

• Stationary bikes can change levels of difficulty either manually or automatically. There are several ways a manual stationary bike can get chance resistance levels: tension band or break pads, magnetic, or wind.
  
  Tension bands and break pads are found on the least expensive bikes. They are manually controlled by the user and typically require you to turn a knob to tighten or loosen the belt or break pads wrapped around the bike's main flywheel to achieve the desired resistance.
  
  Air resistance bikes are commonly referred to as Airdynes, when you pedal an Airdyne, you drive a large fan inside the main housing. The harder you pedal the more resistance you create. Typically these bikes will be dual-action and are usually nosier.
  
  Magnetic resistance bikes use a bank of regular magnets to create resistance against the flywheel. Magnetic resistance bikes are often very quiet because there is no friction in the drive system; the magnets never actually touch the flywheel. The less moving parts that touch, the less likely there is to be a breakdown as well. Operating a manual, magnetic resistance bike simply involves turning a knob or lever that brings a bank of magnets closer to or farther away from the flywheel.
   

Motorized Resistance

• Almost all motorized exercise bikes use magnetic resistance. There are two ways a motorized, magnetic bike can work. One way simply uses a motor to automatically adjust the bank of magnets to or from the flywheel just like a manual bike. The other way uses electricity to increase or decrease an electromagnetic field produced by a fixed set of magnets around they fly wheel.
   

Self Generated Power

• Some exercise bikes are motorized, but do not need to be plugged into an electrical outlet. These bikes use an alternator to convert the energy generated by the users own pedaling into the electricity that powers the bike. Two advantages to this are that you won't draw any electricity out of your wall outlet and you can put the bike anywhere in your home because it has no electrical cord requirements. The disadvantage to it is that once you stop pedaling you lose all of the information on your display board because you are generating the electricity that is powering it. A bike that uses self-generated power will use electromagnetic resistance.
   

Drive Systems

• The smoothness of the ride of an exercise bike is often determined not only by the resistance system, but by all of the moving components inside the bike. The most important of which is the drive mechanism that connects the pedals to the flywheel. This mechanism can either be a rubber belt or a chain. A belt is the smoother of the two. Bikes that use an alternator have two belts or chains; one connects the pedals to the alternator the other connects the alternator to the flywheel.
   

Electronics

• Electronics often times are what catch a customer's eye first, but are not a determining factor in terms of quality. From basic electronics to the top of the line may only be the difference of $200-$300. What customers really pay for is durability.
  
  Electronics do however provide many useful motivational functions; some are just for fun and others are engineered to maximize the quality of one's workout.
  Bikes that have no motorized or magnetic resistance have little electronic capability. Their displays are limited to time, distance, RPMs, calories, etc. Motorized and magnetic bikes have the ability to simulate hills automatically by making it harder to pedal as if you are going uphill. The most elaborate and useful electronics will actually read a user's heart rate and automatically adjust its resistance to keep the user in his/her target heart-rate zone.

 

Stair Climbers

Stair climbers offer a simple repetitive motion that appeals to users who love to sweat.

Some units have steps that move independently of each other, allowing the user to control the individual heights. On others, the steps are linked to ensure full stepping range. Some models enable users to alternate between the two modes at the flip of a switch.

If you prefer a stair climber that will feel more like the one at your gym, avoid models using hydraulic cylinders. Chain and belt-drive units are far more durable and engineered to withstand years of aggressive pounding. Except for the very low-end models, most steppers are programmable and allow for a wide range of training options.

Fitness Resource offers consumer stair climbers from the industry's leading manufacturers that range in price from $999 - $3,000. Which one's right for you will depend on a number of considerations including your goals, objectives, and budget.

Akfit offers consumer stair climbers from the industry's leading manufacturers that range in price from $2000 - $3,000. Which one's right for you will depend on a number of considerations including your goals, objectives, and budget.

 

Rowers

A good rowing machine provides a great aerobic conditioning as well as strength conditioning, by utilizing all major muscle groups. Rowing can be a very time efficient and effective form of exercise. Rower resistance range from inexpensive hydraulic piston cylinders to the more commonly used air resistance. Rowers should duplicate the actual movement of rowing and should provide a natural rhythmic motion. A good rower will range from $1200 to $3000.

 

Home Gyms

A home gym will enable you to strengthen every part of your body in a convenient, compact setting. By using a conventional stack weight system, you can train safely and comfortably without the assistance of a spotter. Cables and pulleys limit your direct contact with the weight stack, and the system doesn't require transporting weight plates to a bar or weight horn. Like a free weight systems, you'll benefit from a positive and negative range of motion each time you execute a movement.

Studies indicate that home gyms meet the strength requirements for more than ninety percent of the fitness population. Most units come with a lifetime warranty on frame and include commercial quality cables and pulleys.

A gym, more so than almost any other piece of exercise equipment, has many factors that determine it's quality and durability including factors such as the way it's built, the way it is designed to fit your body, the amount of space it takes up, how smooth it is, and the way it allows you to perform the exercises known as the biomechanics.
Whether or not a protective shroud surrounds the gyms weight stack is another consideration especially for those with small children. Weight shrouds protect you and any bystanders from getting pinched by the weight plates that are moving up and down. Shrouds also give the gym a more aesthetically pleasing look and help reduce noise.

Guide Rods
The posts that the weight stack travels up and down as it's being used are called guide rods. The quality of the guide rod is one of the critical factors in determining the smoothness of the gym. All of the top-quality guide rods are chrome-plated steel. The chrome, working with the nylon bushings in the weight plates, offers the least amount of resistance as you work out. Lubricating the chrome with pure silicone (not oil-based silicone like WD-40) will make your gym smoother and quieter.




The Guide to Selecting a Home Gym

Frames

• One of the keys to a quality home gym is its frame. All quality home gyms are made out of steel. The lower the gauge of steel the better (generally 11 or 12). Also, the dimension of the steel used in the frame (2" x 2" or 3" x 2" generally) is important.
  
  How the frame is painted determines how well it will hold up to corrosive elements. The best frames will be electro-statically powder coated which prevents chipping and will help prevent rust better than regular paint. On a quality frame, all of the pivot points will use brass or bronze bushings. These bushings allow for the smoothest pivot between two pieces of metal.
  
   

Weight Stacks

• How much weight the gym provides for you to lift is a main consideration as well as how many individual weight stacks are available on a gym. To build or maintain any considerable muscle mass in the chest, back and legs, a male typically needs a substantial amount of weight. Although home gyms are not truly designed for serious weight trainers, some gyms offer stacks that go as high as 250 lbs. and 300 lbs.
  
  Because of the pulley and cable system used on a home gym, a gym with only one weight stack can only accommodate one person lifting weights at any given time. Of course, multiple users can take turns using the stack however, a home gym with more than one weight stack allows the customer to have more than one person working out at the same exact time. Typically, this is an important feature for larger families.
  
  Whether or not a protective shroud surrounds the gyms weight stack is another consideration especially for those with small children. Weight shrouds protect you and any bystanders from getting pinched by the weight plates that are moving up and down. Shrouds also give the gym a more aesthetically pleasing look.
   

Guide Rods

• The posts that the weight stack travels up and down as it's being used are called guide rods. The quality of the guide rod is one of the critical factors in determining the smoothness of the gym. All of the top-quality guide rods are chrome-plated steel. The chrome, working with the nylon bushings in the weight plates, offers the least amount of resistance as you work out. Lubricating the chrome with pure silicone (not oil-based silicone like WD-40) will make the resistance seem non-existent.
   

Cables

• The quality of the home gym's cables is another critical factor in determining not only how smooth the gym is, but how safe it is over all as well. You measure a cable's toughness in tensile strength. The greater the lbs. of tensile strength, the better the cable. Most quality home gyms will have 2000lbs tensile strength cables (typically called aircraft cables because they are of the same quality as those used in airplanes). Cheap cables are not going to hold up as well and, of course, if the cable wears out as you are using the gym, serious injury may occur.
  
  What the cable is coated with helps determine the smoothness of the gym as well. Nylon coating, as opposed to plastic, allows the cable to pass more smoothly over the pulleys and typically wears better as well.
  
  By using a longer cable routing system, some home gyms can change the ratio of the weight plates lifted so that the resistance is actually heavier than the total weight of the plates. A gym with a 2:1 ratio means that when you are lifting 20 lbs of weight on the stack you are actually feeling 40 lbs of resistance. You will most typically see this feature built into leg presses. Legs are a very strong muscle group that can push much more than the 200lb to 250lb stack limits of most gyms. By doubling the ratio of the stack you can sufficiently work the legs.
   

Pulleys

• Along with the guide rods, the quality of the pulleys is a critical factor in determining overall smoothness of a gym. The better the bearings, the more smoothly the pulley will spin. What the pulley is made of will help determine how easily the cable will pass over it as well. Nylon pulleys are the standard, plastic pulleys are sub-standard, and fiberglass reinforced nylon pulleys are superior.
  
  The circumference of the pulley is important in terms of the wear and tear on the cables. The greater the diameter of the pulley, the less the cable will crimp around it, and consequently, the longer the cable will last.
  
  A deep groove on the surface of the pulley for the cable to ride in will help keep the cable from slipping which is both a safety and durability concern. Some pulleys are encased in steel or have a cable guard attached to them to prevent cable slippage as well.
   

Upholstery

• The quality, composition and comfort of the seats and back supports of a home gym is a huge consideration for the buyer. The thickness of the foam, the quality of the material and how the seat is assembled are elements to be considered. Synthetic leather is the most durable material to cover a seat with. A double stitched seat is preferable to staples or any other less durable craftsmanship.
  
  Some home gym's back supports offer lumbar support (protruding support for the lower back) that is more bio-mechanically correct than a straight, flat seat back. Some home gyms offer custom colour and interchangeable pads.
   

Adjustability

• Aside from the over-all workmanship and technical components, the biomechanics play a huge role in the quality of the machine. The gym's range of motion, meaning how deep of a stretch the gym offers the customer's muscles and at what angle or path it forces your body to follow as it's performing the exercise are the two most relevant bio-mechanics issues. Having the ability to adjust the seats and work stations of a home gym to accommodate a wide range of users helps improve the biomechanics of the gym as well.
   

Accessories

Home gyms, like no other piece of fitness equipment have a large number of options that can be considered beyond the simple base unit of a gym. The following is a list of common options that can either be included with the base unit of a gym or often times are sold separately.
 

• Miscellaneous bars and handles
• Leg press (works glutes, hamstrings, quads, calves)
• Vertical knee Raise/Dip (works lower stomach/triceps, lower chest)
• Squat press option (allows squats to be performed off of chest press)
• Gluteus/hip machine (works inner/outer thigh, glutes, hip flexors)
• Extra weight stack (allows multiple users to exercise simultaneously)
• Extra weight (adds weight to existing stack)
• Shrouds

 

Dimensions

• Always take into consideration the space that the gym is going to be placed in. Remember a gym that is seven feet long is longer when the leg extension is in use and a gym that is 4 feet wide may need another 3 feet of clearance to accommodate low-pulley exercises such as seated rows.
  
  Also, gyms are typically close to 7 feet high to give adequate range of motion for the lat machine, but it is only 7 feet at one peak, meaning it fits nicely in between the floor joists or into one panel of a drop ceiling.
   

Exercises

The following are most of the exercises that can be performed using a typical high-end home gym's base unit.

• Chest Station(s)
• Chest press
• Incline chest press
• Pectoral fly
• Military (shoulder) press
• High Pulley/Mid Pulley
• Lat pull down (front and back)
• Triceps push down (one arm or two)
• Reverse triceps push down (one arm or two)
• One arm pectoral fly
• Seated lat pullover
• Triceps pull-over (one arm and two)
• Abdominal crunch
• Leg Station
• Leg Curl (one leg or two)
• Leg Extension (one leg or two)
• Low Pulley
• Seated row
• Standing arm curl (one arm or two)
• Reverse standing arm curl (one arm or two)
• Shoulder shrug
• Upright row
• Bent over row
• One-handed shoulder raise (front, side, and rear)
• Two-handed front shoulder raise
• Oblique crunch
• Rotator cuff cross over
• Abductor, adductor raise
• Glute kick
• Laying lat pull over
• Calf raise
• Wrist curl (one arm and two)
  
   

Free Weight Equipment

• Free weight equipment can range from a few dumbbells and bench to a fully loaded Smith Machine. At any level, free weights offer almost unlimited versatility for the user. But because you define the range of motion, proper technique and form must be followed to prevent injury and realize desired results. 
  
  Free weight users generally are more dedicated to their regimen and have had experience lifting heavier loads. If this is your first encounter with strength training, you may wish to start with dumbbells and a bench and then move up as your confidence and skill levels develop.
  
  AKFIT offers a wide variety of consumer free weights from the industry's leading manufacturers that range in price from $179-$4,000. What's right for you will depend on a number of considerations including your goals, objectives, space and budget.