| The best fitness equipment is the type that's going to | | | | recommended maximum hours usage per week. |
| help you achieve your goals - and be suited to your | | | | 4. How many people will be using it? |
| home environment. We've listed below a list of | | | | Many machines have a multi profile feature that allows |
| questions, in no particular order of importance, that you | | | | you to store the training information for more than one |
| need to answer for before you buy a piece of home | | | | user. This can be a good motivator as you can track |
| fitness equipment. | | | | your progress and hopefully see your fitness improve |
| Have a go at these:- | | | | in terms of times and distances. |
| 1. How much do you want to spend? | | | | 5. What's your goal? |
| You have to justify to yourself (and maybe your | | | | If you're training for a marathon then it's obvious a |
| family) the amount you're about to commit to achieving | | | | treadmill is better than a rowing machine or bike - |
| your goal. How much you spend can also be a factor | | | | although you should also be including road running. If |
| in whether you'll succeed. | | | | weight loss is your main priority then you have a |
| For example, if you've spend £500 on an | | | | number of options. |
| exercise bike you'll probably be more motivated to use | | | | If you're very overweight an elliptical trainer is probably |
| it than if it cost £75. A more expensive piece of | | | | your best option. It puts no strain on your joints, works |
| kit will usually be easier and more comfortable to use | | | | both the upper and lower body, and is good for burning |
| and have a better specification than a cheaper model. | | | | calories. You can also start with a gentle work out and |
| If you're budget is less than £200 your choice is | | | | build up your fitness - please check the maximum user |
| limited to either an exercise bike or elliptical cross | | | | weight first or you may invalidate the warranty. |
| trainer. For this price any treadmill, vibration trainer or | | | | An exercise bike is also good if you're seriously |
| rowing machine isn't going to be up to much unless you | | | | overweight but will not use as many calories as an |
| buy second hand - which comes with its own risk. | | | | elliptical - again check the maximum user weight |
| 2. How much room do you have? | | | | before you buy. |
| You need to know that the fitness equipment you buy | | | | If you're looking to get fit then a treadmill will work you |
| is going to fit through your front door and then be | | | | harder than any other bit of kit and often allows for |
| practical to use either as a permanent fixture or be | | | | more variation in the training which prevents boredom. |
| easy to fold up and store out of the way. | | | | For many time is a problem so maybe a vibration |
| Many elliptical trainers and treadmills fold up into quite a | | | | trainer is your best option. These are the latest in |
| reasonable size for storage but may be cumbersome | | | | fitness equipment technology and are very good for |
| to move from your storage space to the room you'll | | | | toning up or rebuilding strength after an illness or injury. |
| be using it. If it's a bit awkward are you really going to | | | | Rowing Machines remain a popular option for those |
| use it if you're a bit tired and don't want the hassle of | | | | who don't have the space for a treadmill (or don't like |
| moving it? | | | | running) but still want to improve fitness. By changing |
| Also consider where you'll be using your kit. Many | | | | the resistance on a rower you can also build strength. |
| people opt for the garage but in the cold winter | | | | The rowing action will work all your major muscles and |
| months is it a good place to spend half an hour or | | | | if done correctly is very safe. |
| more? Will you disturb the rest of the family if you're | | | | 6. What type is best suited to meet my needs? |
| going to use it in the lounge when they're trying to | | | | The best fitness equipment to meet your needs is |
| watch TV? Ellipticals, vibration trainers and bikes are | | | | therefore a combination of all the above. The most |
| usually quieter than treadmills and rowers but are you | | | | important thing to consider is - are you going to use it |
| going to be puffing, blowing and dripping sweat every | | | | week in week out? If you do then it will help you |
| where? | | | | achieve your goals. If you don't then it won't - simple as |
| 3. How often will you use it? | | | | that. |
| You may only be using your machine for two hours a | | | | If you don't like running don't buy a treadmill. If you've |
| week and therefore a lower priced model could be | | | | never tried rowing, visit a showroom or gym and use |
| sufficient for your needs. All machines have parts that | | | | one to see if you like the action. |
| will need replacing at some point with use. If you're | | | | Boredom is the greatest threat to achieving your goal, |
| going to be training for two hours a day then you really | | | | so if you think you'll get fed up cycling in your home |
| should look to spend more on a machine that has a | | | | then get a bike with a TV, iPod port or some of the |
| good guarantee and reputation for reliability. | | | | other fancy features available these days. |
| A machine that breaks down is not going to get you | | | | If seeing progress is a motivator buy a machine with |
| fit! Decide how much time you're going to devote to | | | | an advanced console that will record your |
| your training and be realistic about what to expect | | | | achievements. Some manufacturers including Tunturi |
| from a bit of kit. For instance, if a treadmill costs | | | | and Life Fitness have software you can download to |
| £250 and only has a 12 month guarantee it's not | | | | your PC that will record and display your progress |
| the best buy for someone training to run a marathon. | | | | over time. |
| Note that some manufacturers stipulate a | | | | |