How to Evaluate Home Gym Equipment

Many treadmills, exercise bikes and other equipment become little more than a coat rack that gathers dust. In your determination to tackle health and fitness resolutions, you will benefit from doing a simple but thorough analysis of your personal goals, physical limitations and your expectations before spending money on home gym equipment.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A physical examination by your doctor
• Pen and paper to analyze your finances, fitness goals, physical limitations and available space for equipment
• Trial DVD's of various fitness equipment or programs

1. Have a thorough physical examination by your doctor. Explain to him that you are preparing to start a fitness program. Your doctor can advise you of any health issues you might have or physical limitations that he feels you should address.
2. Know whether you have medical limitations to begin the process of elimination on home gym equipment. For example, if you have any type of back or joint problems you will want your physician's advice on equipment and programs that address exercise from a rehabilitation point of reference.
3. Consider space. Write down how much space you have to dedicate to your new equipment (one corner or an off bedroom). Many products claim they are easily folded and put away for storage, however, you will be much more likely to follow through with a regular workout routine if your equipment is stationary and visible to you every day. Unless you are an extremely self-disciplined person or confined to a very small amount of daily living space, consider making a permanent base for your exercise equipment.
4. Determine how much equipment can fit into your budget. Write it down and be resolute not to change it. Most of the more popular all-in-one gyms, such as the Bow-Flex or Total Home Gym, also come with a variety of add-on accessories. If you evaluate your needs you'll often find that you either do not need these extras or that you can easily put off buying them until you are at a more intense level of exercise. You can often save money by looking for after-season specials, free shipping offers and refurbished units.
5. Decide what you are looking for in a home gym. Are you more interested in aerobics and cardio or are you looking to build muscle and strength training? These are very different types of exercise regimens and you'll need to make sure you're getting equipment that meets your ultimate goals. Treadmills are excellent for a cardio workout but if you're looking to build muscle you'll need an additional program.
6. Evaluate several home gym programs before you buy. Most of the more popular programs have websites that offer free DVDs and information packages. Make sure any program you ultimately decide upon has a good return policy in the event it isn't what you had thought it would be. Also, do a consumer review web search. Find out what others are saying before you buy.

Tips & Warnings

• Try out home equipment at sporting goods stores.
• Keep your goals realistic. No home gym can perform miracles. You will have to work for results, including a healthy diet.
• Always look for the limitations of equipment. For example, if you're looking for a total body workout then equipment that targets the abs will not be enough.
• Never begin an exercise program before seeing your doctor.
• If you buy equipment that will be used by several members of your family, make sure the equipment allows for different levels of workout.