Choosing exercise equipment
is an important but tricky process. The convenience of having good equipment
at home makes a huge difference for many people trying to lose weight
and get fit. But, unfortunately, the majority of exercise equipment
purchases go bad. People choose the wrong equipment and it simply doesn't
get used. There are a lot of $2000 "clothes hangers" sitting
in homes all over the world.
The key to choosing good exercise equipment is doing research and using
your own personal experience to figure out what equipment you'll actually
use on a regular basis. Here are a few proven tips for finding great
exercise equipment for your home (and saving some money in the process):
- Decide what your primary fitness goals are: weight loss, muscle
building, heart health, flexibility, etc. This will help you focus
your search.
- Decide how much money you want to spend. The dollar range ($1000-$2000
for instance) will help you focus your search even more, saving you
time and frustration.
- Figure out how much space in your home you have to work with. There
are pieces for just about any situation (ie folding treadmills, folding
gyms, etc.)
- Go to a large gym and try out the various pieces of equipment,
including cardio machines, weight machines, and free weights. Keep
the weights very light - you just want to get a 'feel' for each piece
of equipment so you can figure out which ones you like the best. Make
a list of your top 5 pieces.
- If possible, visit a local fitness equipment store and see what
they have to offer. Often times you can try out those "infomercial
gyms" you see on TV all the time. If they have the equipment
you like, ask if they're running any deals now or in the near future.
Never buy exercise equipment at normal "retail" prices unless
money isn't an issue.
- Never make an "impulse buy" at a sporting goods or fitness
equipment store. Ignore pressure from salespeople - they'll often
tell you anything to get you to buy, even if they know it's the wrong
piece of equipment for you.
- Never buy equipment over the phone, no matter how great the commercial
you just saw made the product seem!
- Never feel like you have to spend a ton of money to get into shape.
See our $100 Home Gym article
to learn why.
- No matter what, choose equipment that you enjoy using. Many of the
cheaper products (ie infomercial cardio equipment) seem like a good
deal at first but you'll soon tire of strange, annoying movements
and/or flimsy, unstable-feeling materials and construction.
Good exercise equipment should give you years of enjoyable workouts
and great fitness results. Make sure you take the time to find the perfect
equipment for you and you won't regret it later. Good luck!
Here are some tips for getting the most out of the exercise equipment
AFTER you buy it:
- Shame yourself into a workout: "I spent money on this thing.
I'd better get on it."
- Create an affirmation: "I will move my body for 30 minutes
every day."
- Set up a space that's inviting and entertaining, with a television
set or sound system to offer diversion.
- Tell yourself you can only watch a favorite TV show or movie while
exercising.
For more on purchasing exercise equipment click
here
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