The type of home exercise equipment you choose will depend on the cost of the equipment, space requirements, and time frame for exercising. A well thought out decision must be based on these factors to choose the best equipment.
Start small and upgrade the exercise devices you need on the go. Working within a set budget means that you will have to purchase specific fitness equipment for your goals.
If you are looking for an improvement in cardiovascular conditioning, you may want to buy a jump rope instead of a top-of-the-line cardio machine. If necessary, put on a pair of running shoes and go for a run. Aim for hands-on fitness workouts and employ relevant training machines to achieve your desired result.
Strength training can be accomplished with adjustable dumbbells instead of buying a 300-pound set of weights with a bench. Make sure to target all major areas of the body for best results and to avoid strength imbalance.
Look for compact, lightweight exercise devices if space is an issue or if you need gear for travel. Most of the major brand name fitness dealers have a separate line of equipment designed for this exact purpose.
The amount of time you choose to exercise will depend on what works best for your life schedule. Make sure to incorporate at least 30 minutes of exercise 3-5 times a week and try to be consistent. A great routine can be accomplished with a DVD and a simple bodyweight movement.
Cardio equipment
Treadmills are used indoors for walking and running and are powered by an electric motor. A good quality treadmill will provide the user with a moving platform that tilts and various speed settings for the belt. Most of these machines are equipped with mini-computers to monitor heart rate and calories burned.
Elliptical trainers are ideal for people with knee problems due to the low impact on the joints. The intensity of the workouts can be adjusted with speed and resistance settings. Elliptical machines are weight-bearing devices that work the body as a whole.
Rowing machines are a great way to burn a lot of calories with your whole body movements. Most indoor rowing machines work with a chain wheel and handle. Machines like the Stamina rowing machine use a system of rollers and adjustable cylindrical resistance arms that simulate real rowing movements.
Strength training equipment
A lifting program that uses bars, weights, and a bench allows the lifter to target all muscle groups in the body. A bench focuses on pushing movements and the bar and weights allow you to do all the standard Olympic lifts.
Adjustable dumbbells make the user work on balance and strength and will help to strengthen the weak side of the body. Get a full conditioning workout with a pair of dumbbells and plates.
All the essentials are provided with a home gym machine to implement a solid workout routine. Most home gym devices work with a fixed weight stack and have various accessories for specific body exercises. These types of machines will incorporate all the pushing and pulling movements and usually have a core training station.
Choose the right type of home exercise equipment that will allow you to achieve your fitness goals. Spending large sums of money to exercise good is not the right approach. Create an exercise routine around fun, exciting, and results-oriented workouts.
