My ideal home gym

One day, most likely in the very far future, Ryan and I will have the space to set up a true home gym area. While I enjoy DVDs, there are only so many times you can do the same DVD without wanting to constantly hurt the trainer on the screen. 

I currently have a Gazelle Sprintmaster (using it is sort of a combination of an elliptical and cross-country skiing. It is a strange movement, but it does actually work muscles and you work up a sweat):

 

I enjoy using the Gazelle, and while the DVDs it came with offer a little bit of variety in workouts, there is no way to vary the movements and so it can become repetitive. Also, because it is the same movement the whole time I definitely can't use it everyday or my body becomes way too sore.

Ryan has a weight bench with a wide assortment of weights (currently out in the garage here, formerly set up in the second bedroom of our apartment) What Ryan would really like is a treadmill. In reality, once we have our own place again and we have room for one, we'll probably look on craigslist/the paper for a cheap used one. However, if I could have my way (and we had the money for it) what I'd like is the X7 Incline Trainer from NordicTrack:

I really like that it has the incline (though at this point I also find a 40% incline super scary). Since I'm not sure I'll ever be a runner, this would give me options for increasing the intensity of my walking without having to necessarily increase the time spent. This model also has a decline option of 6%. Back when Ryan was playing soccer in high school, he was able to run an average of 11mph. This treadmill goes up to 12mph, which would allow him to potentially reach that level again.


What I would love to have for my own strength training, instead of using dumbbells and/or Ryan's weight bench is the Total Gym XLS:

What attracts me to this is the fluid motion of the exercises. The resistance is based on your weight and the incline for the exercises. Something about it makes me feel as though it is the strength training machine equivalent of Kettlenetics. I like that you can combine cardio and strength if you want to, and that there are options to use it for pilates as well. There are inexpensive versions out on the market but I worry about the construction quality and how long it will last (Since the company that makes these also makes the professional versions I figure that says something for the quality of their home versions).

Something else I think I would like, although I don't think I'd use it much until I'm at least halfway to my goal weight, is The Fluidity Bar:

I've always wanted to take ballet classes, and I like that this combines ballet with other movements that use your own body weight without trying to speed things up like some cardio ballet DVDs I've seen. I also think that I should be able to use the barre for other ballet DVDs.

While I would love to start working on getting the treadmill and the Total Gym immediately after I get a job, we need to save up to pay for our wedding. Of course, the equipment would help me slim down for the wedding, so for now it is a theoretical Catch-22. After I start working I'll have to look into gym memberships and their equipment, courses, and trainers and price things out. Though when I joined Curves in the past I continually struggled to get there, as I do best when I can exercise at the beginning of my day, so it is easier when I can work out at home. I suppose if I had to pick only one item to get it would be the incline treadmill. While I think I would prefer doing strength training using the Total Gym, I do have DVD workouts and Ryan's weight bench that I can use. And the treadmill is something both of us will use. 

Nothing needs or really can be figured out now. My ideal home gym would have all three of these, but the ideal is rarely reality. I can still dream though....