13 Tips To Choose A Perfect Fitness Equipment For Your Home

Not everyone likes going to gym. Gym may be just too far and transportation is a problem. However, not going to gym does not mean one cannot exercise at home. In fact, some people prefer to have their own fitness machines at home. They can use the machines at their own convenience.

Choosing exercise equipment may not be that easy. If you choose a wrong machine and later put it only in your store room, money will be wasted.
Three main reasons home fitness equipment gathers dust:

It is too boring.
It is too hard to assemble.
You don’t have time but you will try to use it tomorrow.

Sad truth is that many shoppers still heading for fitness departments without knowing what they want. They buy treadmills, stationary bicycles and weight machines. Most people simply buy things they do not enjoy. If they don’t really like it, they don’t stick with it.

So, how can you be sure you will invest in the right one? Read on these 13 tips of choosing a perfect fitness equipment for home.

1) Identify your goals – You want to lose weight, build muscle or gain strength? With clear goals in mind, you will know what type of machine you need. To burn body fat, the equipment can be treadmill, elliptical machines, jump ropes and stationary bikes. Stability balls used with light weights will help tone your body, whereas heavier weight systems, dumbbells and barbells assist with developing strength and muscle mass.

2) Decide how much money you want to spend. The dollar range ($1000 – $2000 for instance) will help you focus your search, saving you time and frustration.

3) Consider something which you can scale up. Means, it allows you to increase your workout level as your fitness level rises.

4) Before you purchase an equipment, go try a variety of machines. If you decide to get a treadmill and your friend has one, borrow it from your friend for a month to see if you would really use it (assuming your friend is kind enough).

5) Buy a model based on your space needs. Say, if it has to be used in your living room, consider getting one which can be folded up. However, this advantage may backfire. If you tuck it in a closet, you may leave it in a closet, forever.

6) Consider its noise level, the degree of incline, etc. Some of the machine is really noisy and you may have to blast your TV to block out the irritating sound.

7) Never make an “impulse buy” at a sporting goods or fitness equipment store. Do not be persuaded or misled by the sales person.

Never buy equipment over the phone, no matter how great the commercial you just saw in the TV!

9) If you have joined a club before and you are familiar with the machines there, when the club wants to change its equipment, you can try approaching the gym to buy those which are still in good conditions. No, I have not tried this method before, but I believe that this approach is possible.

10) Ask your friend to take you to a fitness club so you can try out the various forms of equipment to find the best fit.

11) One thing to note is that most home used machines are made for a standard height and weight. Was told American machines are made for 175 cm and 75 kg size (yet to be confirmed with professional). If your height or weight is way beyond (like plus minus 20%) that, you may have difficulty in getting the best seat position for you. So, make sure the fitness machines suit your height.

12) Check the warranty. Was told good one actually provide 10 years warranty.

13) Last but not least, if you like it, you will use it. So, buy something you like.
You may wonder whether I have lots of exercise equipment at home. No, except a dumbbell (not even a pair) left by my elder brother, I do not have any equipment at home. I am someone who enjoy social interaction while working out, therefore working out in a fitness club environment best suits me. Also, I go for body weight for my exercise if I am too bored at home. (Stay tune for my future article on Why Body Weight Training?) However, in near future, I may consider buying Elliptical Exercise Machines. I just love this machine.