Fitness Equipment

Home Exercise Equipment - Choosing the Proper Equipment For Your Workout Routine

The fitness industry has become big business as more and more people work out to get in shape. Many companies have gotten onboard the bandwagon, and the number of different types and brands of home exercise equipment available is amazing. While it is great to have options, trying to figure out which piece of home fitness equipment is right for you can be an overwhelming process. One way to help manage all this information is to identify what type of exercise or training you plan to do. Add in other factors such as your personal fitness level, budget, and space available and pick the equipment that best fits your criteria.

What Is Your Goal?

Before purchasing an exercise bike, treadmill or other type of home fitness equipment, it is important to decide what it is you hope to accomplish. Are you trying to lose weight? Perhaps you want to get in shape, tone your muscles? Maybe you want a good cardio workout? Or you may have several of these results in mind. Exercise equipment varies in its effectiveness in certain areas and by knowing what you want from your workout, you will be able to focus on those that do what you want.

Assess your Fitness Level

Also do an assessment of your comfort level with different types of exercise or movement. Do you have weak knees or a bad back? Would you rather sit than stand? How is your balance? Each type of home fitness equipment requires you to use different posture and movements and you don't want to pick something that will cause injury or irritate an existing condition. You also don't want equipment that is uncomfortable to use because it will be difficult to stick to your routine.

Space Considerations

The fact is, if you live in a small apartment or have limited space in your home, you may not have room for a large piece of equipment like a home gym or weight sets. Many pieces of equipment fold up for storage, but if you have to move the coffee table or love seat every time you want to fold out the treadmill, you are less likely to exercise on a regular basis.

What's In Your Wallet?

Some exercise equipment can be quite expensive, especially for a quality product. On the other hand, you can purchase some equipment off TV ads or special promotions for a very reasonable price, but does the stuff really work? And will it last for more than a few weeks? Most experts recommend that you wait to purchase home fitness equipment until you can afford to purchase something that has good customer satisfaction ratings and is made by a respected fitness equipment manufacturer. Also be aware that some types of equipment cost more than others and may not fit your needs or your budget no matter how long you save.

Consider Your Choices

Once you have assessed your needs and situation, you can evaluate the different types of equipment against your criteria.

Exercise bikes have been around for decades and have improved in design and function over the years. They have been proven to provide weight loss and health benefits if used consistently and correctly. They offer a good cardio workout as well, while limiting impact and injury to knees and other leg joints. They typically do not fold up and can tend to take up space. Exercise bikes fall in the economy or moderate range for price in comparison to other types of home fitness equipment, although some can be quite expensive, especially if they are computerized.

Recumbent exercise bikes, which put users in a slightly reclined position, place less stress on the back and knees but tend to cost more. Some people find the position and motion uncomfortable if they are used to traditional bike riding.

Treadmills are another type of fitness equipment that has been around for some time. They also provide a good cardio workout if properly used, and many come with built in features such as an adjustable platform and computerized workout to help enhance the effects of your exercise routine. There is some jarring and joint stress involved with running, on a treadmill or other surface, so this equipment may not be a good choice for those with knee and hip concerns.

Some treadmills fold up for storage, making them a good choice for those with limited space. Treadmills run the gamut in price range, and can usually fit in any budget, but in most cases you get what you pay for and a very inexpensive model may not be safe or effective.

Elliptical trainers are the latest craze in home fitness equipment. They provide the exercise benefits of walking or running while eliminating the impact on hips, knees, or ankles. This can be good for those with injuries or weakness in those areas. But others who are concerned about building or maintaining bone density may prefer a different type of equipment.

Some elliptical machines fold up to save space when not in use. They generally fall in the mid to higher price range compared to other types of fitness equipment, and again, price often reflects quality.

A stair stepper provides another choice for those who want to burn calories and get a good cardio workout with reduced impact to knees and hips. Stepping height can be adjusted to accommodate different body sizes and fitness levels, however, it can be easy to put too much stress on ankles and back when using a stair stepper. Both size and price are in the moderate range.

Some people prefer the variety and intensity provided by a home gym or weight training station. People are more likely to exercise if they have several different options to choose from, and a selection of different or adjustable equipment provides the opportunity to target all areas of the body. However, home gyms tend to take up more space than other equipment and will almost always cost more for quality equipment. It may also be important to have instructions before using some features of the gym to avoid injury.

There are many other types of home fitness equipment, including free weights, ski machines, ab machines, and hybrids like exercise riders. Be sure to research a piece of equipment before buying and avoid those that make claims that sound too good to be true - they probably are.

Many fitness experts and trainers recommend that you try out a piece of equipment before purchasing to be sure it feels comfortable. If buying online, try to find a gym or exercise store that has the equipment and give it a test ride. Most companies charge shipping and handling to return online orders if you return an item for reasons other than manufacturer defects or damage.

With all the choices for home fitness equipment available, you are sure to find a machine that fits your needs and budget. It just takes a bit of realistic planning.

About the Author:

C.J. Gustafson is a successful writer for Fitness-N-Exercise-Equipment.com, your complete guide to home exercise equipment, the best treadmill reviews, ab machines, weight training equipment and more.

Copyright 2005 Fitness-N-Exercise-Equipment.com

Permission is granted to publish this article on your site only if the author's byline is included and all links are hyperlinked.

Solomon Times Online

Fitness Equipment for Solomons Leaders Solomon Times Online, Solomon Islands - Jul 3, 2008 In a handover of fitness equipment to the National Parliament of Solomon Islands Wednesday, Mr. Chan stressed on the importance of each one's health. ...

Clifton Park fitness equipment retailer closes Schenectady Gazette, NY - Jun 30, 2008 By James Schlett (Contact) CLIFTON PARK — I Love My Heart Corp., a company that billed itself as upstate’s oldest specialty fitness equipment retailer, ...

Vibration Training Fitness Equipment is Shaking up the Health ... Free press releases (press release), UK - Jun 12, 2008 Vibration machine fitness has been shown in many studies to be not only as effective as traditional training at a gym but that it has many other benefits ...

Recreation redefined at the Taj Airport Garden Hotel Sunday Times.lk, Sri Lanka - 3 hours ago ... Fitness and Universal fitness equipment thus providing resident and member guests a unique experience of fitness training with a personalised touch. ...

PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung)

TAO TAO HEALTH EQUIPMENT FACTOTRY is the leading and professional ... PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung), Austria - Jul 2, 2008 The fitness equipment is shipped from the Company's warehouses on CHINA,USA,UK,CANADA ECT Industry-leading warranties, quick shipping, extended service ...

Candover buys 40 pct of Technogym Olympic supplier Reuters - Jun 30, 2008 L: Quote, Profile, Research) has bought 40 percent of Olympic Games fitness equipment supplier Technogym, which has a turnover of around 400 million euros a ...

PVCS reinforces middle school definitions Evening Observer, NY - Jul 2, 2008 The fitness equipment may be sold for scrap, but board member Larry Zollinger suggested that it should be offered for public purchase first. ...

MTN, Sasol, Verimark Holdings : South Africa Equity Preview Bloomberg - Jul 2, 2008 Verimark Holdings Ltd. (VMK SJ): The retailer of products including fitness equipment and household good holds its annual general meeting. ...

What to Do With $5000 Motley Fool - Jul 2, 2008 Equipping a home gym with fitness equipment can cost less than $5000, and even as little as $1000. And a gym membership will generally cost you considerably ...

Downham: Leisure centre expansion completed Lynn News, UK - Jul 4, 2008 The new equipment includes brand new cardiovascular and resistance fitness equipment, which has been fitted by specialists Life Fitness. ...

Holistic Health | CShroeder | Gifts | CSnet | Athletic Shoes

iFit8.com - Fitness and Exercise.