Selecting the Right Home Exercise Equipment

Selecting the right home excercise equipment for your needs

So you have decided to commit to a regular exercise routine and are wondering what home exercise equipment to choose. This will largely depend on your budget, the space you have available, the type of exercises you plan to do and your workout goals.

As we discussed earlier doing some form of cardiovascular exercise is a good idea. Cardiovascular exercise increases overall health, boosts the immune system, reduces the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease and some cancers, and helps you to shed excess weight. There is quite a lot of choice of cardiovascular equipment for use in your own home. Here is a basic description;

Treadmills
Although treadmills can traditionally take up a lot of room thanks to the long running track, home treadmills are available that will fold flat for easy storage. It is possible to pay from a few hundred dollars to $2000 or more for a home treadmill; choosing the right model for you is a matter of personal preference. Some machines come complete with an incline function to simulate running uphill, and others come with a range of workout options for specific routines such as fat burning, interval training, hill training and more. You will need to make sure that the machine you choose will fit into the space you have available, and that it will be sturdy enough to meet your needs. Think about what you will be using it for, and make sure that it will support your workout goals. If you are a faster runner, make sure it will be fast enough for you as some machines have a maximum speed limit of 10mph.

Elliptical trainers
Are one of my favorites these don’t take up as much room as treadmills, and allow a great workout for your whole body in a relatively short space. It is possible to purchase an elliptical trainer for under $100, with more expensive machines costing in excess of $1000. Check that you will be within the weight limit for the machine you choose, and that it is stable when you use it. Most elliptical trainers sold for home use have a shorter stride than the commercial machines you may be used to at the gym, so make sure the stride length will be comfortable for you.

Elliptical trainers usually allow you to increase the resistance level so that you can make your workouts harder, and, like treadmills, may also come with different workout options. Some machines have an incline function which simulates walking or running uphill, which can add an extra dimension to your workout.

Stationary cycles
These are usually available as traditional upright cycles, or as a recumbent bike, which you use in a reclining position. Fans of recumbent bikes state that the position makes you less susceptible to the back and leg strain using a traditional bike can cause; it is a good idea to try out a few different types to determine which is more comfortable for you.

Stationary cycles generally allow you to increase resistance levels and select a preprogrammed workout. Make sure that the cycle feels comfortable to use and the position of the seat and pedals can be adjusted to your requirements. Stationary cycles are generally among the most compact of home exercise equipment, and many can be folded for storage.

Indoor rowing machines
Rowing provides a good workout for the whole body, and indoor rowing machines are becoming increasingly sophisticated. It is possible to pay from around $100 for a basic machine to upwards of $1000 for a machine which will allow you to set a range of different workout options and challenge other users online.

Rowing machines can take up quite a bit of space due to the rowing track, although many models will fold up after use. Make sure that the seat and handle are sturdy enough and that the movement of both feels smooth and comfortable. If you are a regular rower, you may need to ensure that the level of resistance will be enough to deliver a sufficiently challenging workout. The model you choose will be dependent on the features you will need, for instance do you just want a basic machine which allows you to row, or do you want to be able to select different options, such as games, challenges or racing a pace boat.

Weights
Weight training is an anaerobic exercise, and is ideal for strengthening and toning the muscles. As muscle mass requires more calories, weight training can help you to burn fat.

Weights are generally available as either weight machines targeting specific areas of the body, or free weights including dumbbells or kettle bells. The type of weight equipment you choose will generally depend on your budget and the space you have available.

Weight training machines are generally safer and easier to use than free weights. However, they can take up quite a lot of space and tend to be more expensive, although it is possible to buy home gym systems which allow several different weight training exercises to be preformed in a relatively compact space. Make sure that the resistance level will be high enough for your needs, and that the range of exercises offered will match your exercise goals.

Free weights are generally cheaper to buy, fairly versatile and easier to store. They are not as easy to use and the risk of injury may be greater than using a machine. When selecting your free weights, make sure that they will be heavy enough to provide you with a good enough workout and that you know how to use them safely.

Selecting the right home exercise equipment for your needs will enable you to easily get fit within the comfort of your own home.