Take a look at the photo below—that’s a client’s home gym. He and his wife have trained with me for over 20 years. At first, they had only a small bench and a few dumbbells, but over the years, they’ve gradually added to their collection. (The hex bar you see in the background was a recent addition.)

Last week, my client remarked how all the equipment gets used on a regular basis. What a great investment! Get the right stuff and you’ll use it often—and it should last forever. In fact, weight training equipment should outlast you!

The same can’t be said for cardio equipment. That stuff requires regular maintenance and often breaks down. To make matters worse, most cardio machines end up as expensive clothes hangers! In The Business of Personal Training, I outline a three-tier system for building a home gym that doesn’t include any cardio equipment.

If you want cardio, go outside and do some interval training—run one way and walk back the other, or find some hills or stairs to challenge yourself. Dare I say it might be just as effective for fat loss as using a cardio machine? You bet—and it doesn’t cost a dime.

When winter weather doesn’t cooperate, try loaded circuits in your gym using dumbbells, kettlebells, sandbags, and so on. Once again, you don’t need cardio machines to get a “cardio” effect. Use your ingenuity and get creative. I share plenty of examples in Lean and Mean.

Take-Home Message: Build your home gym gradually over time. Start with the essentials and expand from there. Before you know it, you’ll have a serious setup with everything you need—and it will last a lifetime!