At the beginning of every new year, people all over the world make themselves promises to do things differently than they did the previous year in hopes of making the new year their year of positive change. The most popular resolution is to get in shape, but most people fail to follow through with their personal promise of self improvement because they did not have a plan.

Getting in shape is actually no different than taking a trip or vacation. Most people would not think of taking a vacation without knowing where they were going to go and what they want to do. So why would we take a different approach with the most important thing we could possibly do for ourselves and that is the decision to get in shape.

In this article we will explore a five step plan to starting a fitness plan and constructing a cost effective home gym. It is not very difficult if you know what your goals are. So let's start with goals.

What is your goal? Maybe it is simply to loose a few pounds or perhaps you want to get in really great shape, either way the most important thing to take into consideration is that you will not be able to achieve these goals overnight, it will be a process over time. However, your goals can be reached much quicker than you might imagine with a solid plan and the right equipment. So, let's take a look at the plan.

Assuming that you know what your goals are the FIRST STEP is finding a solid fitness routine to follow. So many people go out and buy hundreds of dollars worth of equipment thinking that if they run on the tread mill three times a week or sling a few weight around every night they will get in shape, this could not be farther from the truth. You must have a solid,scientifically supported program to follow once you have this plan in place you are ready to build you new cost effective home gym.

There are two directions to go when building a cost effective home gym. The first is to buy your equipment one piece at a time and add to it as you progress, This method allows you to keep your expenses down while at the same time allowing you to determine honestly if you are going to stick with the program. Should you decide that you are not going to continue with your fitness routine you will not be out of a lot of cash. The other direction is to purchase a multi station leverage system.

Now for STEP TWO. Start out with an adjustable Utility bench. This is simply a flat bench that adjusts to different angles these benches can be purchased for around $40.00 to $50.00. When choosing a utility bench I suggest that you purchase one that has the leg exercise attachments. Also make sure that the leg attachment will accommodate Olympic style weights which means that it is a universal bench. The term universal means that the bench can be used with Olympic or standard weights.

You will also want to purchase a couple of sets of dumbbells. Do not buy the dumbbell kits, get the fixed dumbbells You can purchase a couple of pairs of dumbbells for around $50.00 to $60.00 depending on the weights you decide to start out with. I just purchased a pair of 65lb dumbbells for around $85.00 you can see the heavier the dumbbells the more they cost that is why you purchase them as you progress. You will have to purchase them in pairs and will need to start out with a weight that you feel you can lift no more than eight times in one setting. Work out with dumbbells for your first six to eight weeks to allow your body to adjust to this new activity and minimize the possibility of injury.

Now for STEP THREE, you will be ready to add barbells to your routine. To do this you will need to purchase an Olympic barbell set. You can get a 300lb barbell set at hibbett sporting goods for around $180.00.

You will also need a universal workout bench (bench press) This can be purchased at your local walmart for $139.00. They actually have really great quality universal work stations for very reasonable prices. Just remember to make sure that the bench you purchase is a Universal bench.

Once you have the equipment for step three you pretty much have all you will need for awhile. Of coarse if you stay with you routine it will become necessary to add weights and other items to your home gym.

As you progress through step three Cardio is the next step, STEP FOUR. There are many ways to perform cardio routines some will cost you a fortune and some are absolutely free. So in a nutshell You can run, jog or power walk, or, you can spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on items such as ellipticals, treadmills and exercise bikes.

If you feel that you need this type of equipment I suggest that you look in your local trading publication or classified ads. another place to look is yard sales. As I mentioned at the beginning of this article many people start out buying all of this expensive equipment without a plan and eventually give up on their routine, so you can usually find great deals on top quality equipment at yard sales and classified ads. Personally I would rather utilize the free cardio equipment that mother nature provides, but that is just me.

Finally, for STEP FIVE, The inflatable exercise ball and jump rope. This actually could be added at step one. The inflatable exercise ball is an amazing piece of equipment and very cheap as well. There have been entire books written on how to use the ball. There is nothing more effective for developing the abdominal muscle group than the exercise ball especially if you have problems with your back. In fact the ball will actually help you strengthen your back, add to this the infamous jump rope and you are on your way to the most effective fat burning exercises on the planet.

So there you have it my five step plan to building you cost effective home gym. If you would like to see more information on this subject visit my blog. There you will see pictures of the equipment and programs available to put you on the path to a life of fitness and health.