subject: Preparing To Buy Exercise Equipment [print this page] Working out of your home might be the answer for your busy schedule, but first you need to know what fitness equipment you'll need. There are lots of choices out there for home exercise, including free weights, weight training machines, home gyms, and cardio equipment.
Before you buy anything, remember that when you start something you've never tried before, it is harder to succeed. Buying equipment is no guarantee you'll use it, so research before you decide what to get.
Choose activities you enjoy. If you hate riding a bike, don't get a stationary bike.
Start small. Invest in a good pair of shoes and some free weights or bands.
Try videos or group fitness classes to figure out what you like to avoid wasting money on expensive equipment that you don't even use. Consider your experience with various equipment, your interests, attention span, fitness level, and the space available in your home.
When planning your home gym, know exactly how much you have to spend. Exercise gear doesn't need to be expensive, but it should be quality.
If you've got $50 burning a hole in your pocket, get an exercise ball, resistance bands and some dumbbells. If you have more cash to spare, go ahead and purchase an entire home gym in your basement.
Avoid buying any product that promises spot reduction, like almost every infomercial product. If you hear 'in just minutes a day' or 'guaranteed to lose inches,' you'll know to spend your money elsewhere.
Don't be seduced by abdominal or thigh gadgets. They're often expensive and you can get more effective workouts with a basic set of dumbbells and good, quality exercises.
There is no perfect exercise. One activity is as good as another, providing that you do it regularly and get your heart rate up.
If you like no-impact activities, try an elliptical trainer or bike, but make sure you lift weights so you get some type of weight bearing activity. If your enjoy swimming, then go to your local community pool, YMCA or health club.
You need to keep in mind the amount of space you have before you start buying anything. Having a treadmill is cool, but if there's nowhere to put it you have a big problem.
Before you buy anything bigger than resistance bands or a few dumbbells, figure out where you'll put everything. Having an empty garage is great space for a gym, but make sure you have some insulation for the winter.
Lay everything out beforehand to make sure you have the space. Treadmills are a popular piece of aerobic equipment for home use.
Treadmills let you to walk or run at any time in any weather. When purchasing a treadmill, look for a solid, smooth action, a steady pace, wide belt, safety shut off, and incline settings.
Quality models range from $1500 and up. Elliptical trainers offer a comfortable, non-impact exercise activity that almost anyone can do.
You can work at a high or low intensity so it's good for all fitness levels.
Stationary bikes are widely used home exercise equipment. They offer a non-impact cardiovascular workout and are great for overweight or new exercisers.
The bikes primarily use the muscles of the legs and buttocks. Bikes come in a variety of price ranges, but generally speaking, a high caliber bike will cost $500 to $1000.
Recumbent cycles give more support to the lower back and minimize the stress on the knees compared with an upright bicycle. Recumbents provide a cardiovascular workout that uses the muscles of the gluteus, quadriceps and hamstrings.
Step machines use primarily the lower body in an aerobic capacity. Steppers give a good workout aerobically, strengthen and build the lower body muscles, and are low impact.
