Choosing Home Exercise Equipment

Choosing home exercise equipment for a home gym could be a scary task given the depth and breadth of equipment to pick from. Options include free weights, such as barbells, to universal weight machines that allow a person to work all muscle groups. The choices could also include a several devices such as stepping machines, treadmills, stationary bikes, orbital trackers and rowing machines. Makes an individual want to stop before they even begin.

A person should start with setting a goal. Then look for equipment that supports obtaining that goal, and includes enjoyable activities. People will not use exercise equipment that involves activities they dislike. Also look for equipment that supports a broad range of activities; workouts that require the same activity everyday do not work either.

To improve conditioning, lose weight, and improve health overall, a workout routine should include aerobic and anaerobic components. Aerobics includes jogging, walking, climbing stairs, and rowing. Most of these things can be done without a machine, but generally a machine helps to create resistance to raise the heart rate, and keep it elevated for twenty minutes. Most people opt for a treadmill for their aerobic home exercise equipment. Many treadmills allow the user to manipulate speed, and elevation of the platform in order to increase the difficulty of the workout for continued health improvement.

Most motorized treadmills come with programmed workouts to help maintain exercise difficulty. The programs automatically adjust elevation and speed to constantly push the exerciser. Accessories also include calorie counters to assess how much work has been completed. Some high-end machines may also include heart monitors. For best aerobic results, work out within a given heart rate zone. This zone varies depending on whether aerobic fitness or weight loss is the desired goal. It also varies with age.

One prominent manufacturer is Nordic Track. They have been in the business many years. They offer treadmills beginning at $600. Higher end models have a price tag of thousands of dollars. Used treadmills cost less, but could have complications such as worn belts and motors.

Orbital or elliptical trackers provide another choice for aerobic home exercise equipment. They come with many of the same options as treadmills, but are much easier on the joints, especially the knees. Motorized trackers also provide a better workout, more calories burned over a given time period.

One top of the line company selling elliptical trackers is Life Fitness. Their fully loaded model costs about $2,100. Non-motorized machines are cheaper, and may not have all the features. A mid-line model by Proform goes for about $500, and Gazelle offers a stripped down model for $200.

Free weights are the cheapest method of resistance or anaerobic exercise. In general, free weights, iron plates and dumbbells run about sixty to eighty cents a pound or higher depending on polish and calibration of the weight. A number of exercises can be found online to facilitate lower and upper body strength training. Additional free weight equipment includes weight benches, and bar bells. One should be careful using free weights for exercising. It is preferable to have an exercise partner for some free weight activities.

Additionally, individuals have the option of purchasing a universal weight machine. This equipment may have several workstations for full bodywork out. Two types of these exist for home use. Bowflex machines use rubber bands to simulate weight resistance. The Bowflex PR1000 costs around $547, and can be bought online. Others use metal plates at the end of cables for weight resistance. One example of this is a Body Solid EXM1500S Single Stack Gym for about $850.

Lastly, a new style of resistance training has been gaining popularity. These machines use an individual's own weight rather than plates or rubber bands to build strength. The Total Gym, manufactured by EFI is one example. The Total Gym 1800 can be purchased from Wal-Mart or Amazon for around $336. The 14000 model runs for about $1,200. This model can be bought directly from EFI online.

Individuals have tremendous alternatives in purchasing home exercise equipment. Machines have been made to meet every possible fitness program and sport. The key to buying home exercise equipment that does not languish in the garage or basement is to purchase equipment that meets the user's health goals. It's also important they pick equipment they enjoy.