Men's Health | Women's Health | Children's Health | Elder Health
Holistic Health | Healthy Heart | Cancer | Weight Loss
Exercise & Fitness | Healthy Resources |
HOME PAGE

Health Club 101 DIRECT
Natural Supplements | HGH Energizer | Eazol Natural Pain Relief | Revitol Cellulite Solution
IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome | Menopause Symptoms Relief | Insomnia Sleeping Aid


Articles & Information

Medicine | Nutrition | Exercise | Fitness Equipment | Pregnancy
Bodybuilding Supplements | Weight Loss | Breast Cancer | Diabetes
Category Site Map



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, thebest 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.


MORE RESOURCES:

Men's Health | Women's Health | Children's Health | Elder Health
Holistic Health | Healthy Heart | Cancer | Weight Loss
Exercise & Fitness | Healthy Resources |
HOME PAGE

Health Club 101 DIRECT
Natural Supplements | HGH Energizer | Eazol Natural Pain Relief | Revitol Cellulite Solution
IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome | Menopause Symptoms Relief | Insomnia Sleeping Aid


Articles & Information

Medicine | Nutrition | Exercise | Fitness Equipment | Pregnancy
Bodybuilding Supplements | Weight Loss | Breast Cancer | Diabetes
Category Site Map


Fox News

Intense shelling from Syrian forces trouble food, medicine supplies, activists say
Fox News
The intense shelling in restive neighborhoods such as Baba Amr has made it difficult to get medicine and care to the wounded, and some areas have been without electricity for days, activists say. "Snipers are on all the roofs in Baba Amr, ...
Syria accused of using medicine as 'weapon of war'ABC Online
Homs' residents plea for help as food and medicine run lowThe Observers
“We're hungry, we're cold and we're forced to scavenge for food”, says Homs ...FRANCE 24

all 6,016 news articles »


MedPage Today

Defensive Orthopedic Medicine Creates Enormous Additional Costs
Medical News Today
According to an estimate by researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, orthopedic surgeons generate around $2 billion each year in additional health care costs linked to orthopedic care, as a result practicing defensive medicine (ordering ...
In orthopedic surgey, defensive medicine takes a $2 billion tollDOTmed.com
Orthopedists Say Tab for Defensive Medicine Is 'Billions'MedPage Today
Fear of Lawsuits Influences Care From Most Orthopedic Surgeons: SurveyThe Female Fan

all 9 news articles »


Washington Times

Obamacare and government intrusion into the practice of medicine; why ...
Washington Times
In addition, through the creation of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), which will act like 'mini-HMOs' to micro-manage the practice of medicine community by community across America, pressures have mounted to reign in costs through the rationing ...
Some physicians do not agree with, uphold standards on communication with patientsEurekAlert (press release)
Docs Often Put Positive Spin On Patient PrognosisNew Haven Independent
Survey Shows That At Least Some Physicians Are Not Always Open Or Honest With ...Health Affairs (blog)

all 316 news articles »


Integrative medicine: Trying these may help avoid doctor
Sacramento Bee
If you are taking prescription medications, please talk with your doctor before starting any over-the-counter products, as supplements can sometimes interfere with or affect the metabolism of prescription medicines. And of course, if you try some of ...

and more »


Vote on alternative medicine falls victim to dark arts of the internet
Sydney Morning Herald
LATE last month the Herald reported on a lobby group of more than 400 doctors, medical researchers and scientists - dubbed Friends of Science in Medicine - pressuring universities to close down alternative medicine degrees, arguing the practices have ...

and more »


Nutritional Medicine for Adults Workshop Series at Rush University Medical Center
Newswise (press release)
Newswise — CHICAGO — Rush University Medical Center is sponsoring a Nutritional Medicine workshop March 15 to 16, 2012, that features internationally-renowned faculty who are leaders in research in nutritional medicine. The workshop is part of a ...

and more »


PR Web

The true fountain of youth
Grand Junction Free Press
I often reply to such comments with bits of wisdom that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has provided for me throughout my training. My words are usually met with a silent moment of pondering and consideration. However, sometimes a client will remark ...
Acupuncture for Children? San Francisco Chinese Medicine College Now Offers ...San Francisco Chronicle (press release)

all 5 news articles »


College of Medicine accreditation leaves some faculty members unhappy with process
Central Michigan Life
Dean of the College of Medicine Ernest Yoder talks briefly to the Board of Trustees about the College's latest progress in the President's Conference Room in the Bovee University Center. (Photo by Kaitlin Thoresen/Staff Photographer) The College of ...

and more »


Society of Critical Care Medicine Conference in Houston Has 3 Research Studies ...
MarketWatch (press release)
NEW YORK, NY, Feb 10, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- The annual Society of Critical Care Medicine Conference, attended by over 1000 participants, was held in Houston, Texas from February 2 - 8, 2012. There were three research studies presented which ...

and more »


Banned drugs vanish from medicine shops
Times of India
Sambalpur: Cough syrups and medicines with alcohol content were surprisingly off the shelves as medicine vendors did not want to indulge in any controversy by selling such medicines, following raids conducted by police, excise and drug departments in ...

and more »

Google News

home | site map
Men's Health | Women's Health | Children's Health | Elder Health
Holistic Health | Healthy Heart | Cancer | Weight Loss
Exercise & Fitness | Healthy Resources

health, health insurance, health club, health care, women's health, man health, mental health, health and beauty, health fitness, health insurance quote, health food, affordable health insurance, health club gyms, health health, health spa, low cost health insurance, health food vitamin, mental health services, individual health insurance, health care jobs, dental health, woman health, sexual health, health food store, health insurance plan, home health care, health insurance coverage, health news, health service facility, student health insurance, health insurance company, man's health, health care equipment, health information, family health insurance, health article, group health insurance, woman's reproductive health, cheap health insurance, world health insurance, travel health insurance, health product, health and wellness, health plan, alternative health, international health insurance, health clinic, public health, senior health insurance, temporary health insurance, mental health clinic, health and safety, short term health insurance, department of health, health nutrition, free health insurance quote, health net, cardinal health, department of health, woman's health, national institute of health, discovery health, child health, health savings account, kid health, self employed health insurance, health medicine, accident health insurance, small business health insurance, health services, man health magazine, man health magazine, health supplement, prostate health, health center, yahoo health, free health insurance, elderly health, health magazine, home health, health club, health care, woman's health, man health, mental health, health and beauty, health fitness, health insurance quote, health food, affordable health insurance, health club gym health health, health spa, low cost health insurance, health food vitamin, mental health services, individual health insurance, health care jobs, dental health, cancer screening, cancer diagnosis, cancer prevention, holistic health, heart attack, heart monitoring, health club, health club 101, holistic, holistic medicine, holistic health, holistic healing, holistic health care, holistic therapy, holistic cancer treatment, holistic doctor, diabetes, symptom, diabetes diet, diabetes supply, diabetes mellitus, diabetes care, american diabetes association, diabetes information, type 2 diabetes, disease heart, disease heart kidney, stroke symptom, breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, american cancer society, skin cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer symptom, bone cancer, bladder cancer




web design / voice overs / scooters website design