With children and work I no longer have time to get to a gym. How can I recreate the same high quality workout at home in a smaller space?

Creating your own special custom fitness room at home is an ideal way to keep fit while spending time with the family, according to Tom Flanagan, owner of US Fitness Products.

"People are so busy now they often don’t have time to go to the gym,” he says. "That is where creating a fitness room at home is the right solution.”
Flanagan, who most recently served as GM of US Fitness Products, purchased the company from Bill Martin, who started the company in 1991. He also owned and operated Genesis health club, selling it in 2000 and became senior marketing manager for Life Fitness.

Determining the customers’ needs and what they hope to accomplish are the first steps in equipping a home fitness center, Flanagan says. Other issues to be considered include frequency of use, number of equipment users, safety issues and budget limitations.

Then, the proper equipment can be selected to help meet the individual’s needs and plans. Some customers just want to purchase one piece of equipment while others want to outfit an entire room. Customers are encouraged to try out the various pieces of equipment before purchasing.

"If you like a piece of equipment and how it feels, you are going to use it,” Flanagan says. "We work to match the perfect equipment to the person.”
Often cardio equipment such as treadmills, elliptical trainers and bikes are recommended as good places to start, Flanagan says. Strengthen equipment also can be selected.

US Fitness can help design a home fitness room, install the equipment and offer a free personal training session.