So, you’re looking at purchasing home fitness equipment! Yet, whether you’re looking for home gym equipment for your strength training, cardio workouts, or both – finding the best equipment for your needs can be a challenge. With so many choice to be made when looking at home gym equipment, how can you be sure you’re making the best choice for you? Here are a few points to consider:
- For an inexpensive solution for strength training – many people start with a good set of free weights and dumbbells. Keep in mind that if you’re not familiar with using free weights, they can do more harm than good. To get the best results, it is essential that you use proper form and balance to avoid hurting yourself. So, if you choose this route, you should also invest in a good training program with a personal trainer – someone that can not only help you built a workout routine that will help you achieve your goals, but also show you the best way to use your equipment properly and avoid injury. Another way to avoid injury with strength training equipment, especially if you’re a beginner, is to choose a strength training machine, rather than free weights. Strength training machines allow you to maintain proper form as you exercise, which will help lessen your risk of injury. Plus, strength training machines don’t require a “spotter” – allowing you to work out alone.
- Strength training machines are also a good choice if your home is “space limited”. You can achieve the same results with an “all inclusive” home gym unit, as you can with the more traditional weight stack or plates. So, don’t feel as though you need to duplicate the huge variety of machines you see at your nearby gym. Instead, look for equipment that exercises your main muscle groups effectively. Also look for equipment that offer optional attachments – with these, you can keep your initial cost down as you start out your exercise program, and then add attachments as your workout needs progress.
- For your home cardio workouts, there are a number of choices available. Treadmills are great because they mimic an exercise that is both familiar and comfortable. Elliptical Trainers provide a low-impact cardio workout that protects your joints, and is a favorite activity for people who want a good cardio workout without a lot of pounding on the joints. Make sure when you’re looking at cardio equipment, you find a store that can help you match the proper type of equipment to your fitness needs.
- Although your large “chain store” may offer basic home exercise equipment, a better choice is a store dedicated to helping you find the best equipment for your needs. This includes your being able to try out any piece of equipment before you buy it. Make sure that before you purchase any piece of home exercise equipment, that you feel comfortable with the way the equipment works.
- Remember – you get what you pay for. You’ve seen the commercials for the most recent “equipment of the week”. It seems as though every time you change the channel, there is a new piece of home equipment advertised that will “give you washboard abs in 30 seconds”. The reality is, most of the equipment being advertised on these infomercials may be of dubious quality – at best. To get the best from your workouts, avoid injury, and avoid equipment breakdowns, it pays to invest in your equipment. Keep in mind that a good piece of home exercise equipment can last 10 years – and the cost of ownership over that time can be less than what you would pay for a health club. To give you an idea of what you should consider spending, for a decent treadmill, plan on spending at least $1,000 and, for a better than decent treadmill, between $1500 to $3000. There are some so-so models that fall under that price range but, if you buy a cheap treadmill, that’s exactly what you’re going to get. Choosing the right treadmill will depend on: 1) how much money you have, 2) any extras you want (programming, heart rate monitor, etc.), 3) what kind of motor you want and 4) how much space you have in your house.
- One of the main “roadblocks” for some people when it comes to home workouts is – that it can get monotonous. At least when you’re running on a treadmill at the local gym, there are enough distractions to keep your time from becoming boring. Well, there are ways around that now. Boredom is one of the most common reasons why many people give up on regular exercise. Some therefore say that they prefer the gym because of the entertainment available there. They can run on a treadmill while watching their favorite soap or cycle an exercise bike listening to current chart hits. But technology is advancing at an incredible pace these days. For example, True Fitness offers treadmills with a built in monitor on which you can watch TV, DVD’s or listen to your favorite music.
- Before you start any exercise program, it is important for you to also get checked out by your doctor. Never begin a strength training or cardio program without doing so under the supervision of a qualified physician to prevent injuries as you train.
- Just because you have a basic understanding of your equipment when you take delivery of it, doesn’t mean you won’t have any questions a few weeks later. So, when you choose a store to purchase equipment from, check out the company’s customer and support services. Call the advertised phone numbers to get an idea of how easy it is to reach a company representative and how helpful he or she is.
- Also, get details on warranties, guarantees and return policies. A “30-day money-back guarantee” may not sound as good if you have to pay shipping on a bulky piece of equipment you want to “return to sender.”
- Finally, remember that no piece of fitness equipment works by itself. Remember that no exercise device can burn fat off a particular part of your body. To turn a “beer belly” into a “six pack stomach,” you must combine sensible eating with regular exercise that works the whole body. The reason: Everything you eat has calories and everything you do uses calories. Your weight depends on the number of calories you eat and use each day. Increasing your daily physical activity will burn extra calories Regular exercise on your equipment, with proper form and proper fitness goals, combined with a healthy diet – is the key to your not only being happy with your equipment purchase, but your overall health & fitness levels as well!
For more information about buying any of these fitness products, or any other type of fitness equipment for your Phoenix area home, contact Fitness 4 Home Superstore today and we’ll be happy to match you up with the perfect piece of exercise apparatus – cardio, strength, core or flexibility.
