When it comes to fitness and exercise equipment, one of the most common questions you often hear is, “What is the best home exercise equipment?” It’s easy to understand with so many different choices being available to us. This article will help you with an overview of the more common equipment options.

Before you get started searching for home exercise equipment you may want to consider a couple of important points first.

1. What is your budget for home fitness equipment?

2. What is your current fitness level and what do you want to accomplish in the future?

Why are these questions important? Well, your budget is for obvious reasons, but enjoying the home exercise equipment is very important as well. For example, let’s say you are in good shape now and want to add additional muscle mass. You wouldn’t want an elliptical trainer for that. A Bowflex system would be a better choice.

With that in mind, let’s take a quick look at some of your options.

Treadmills

A treadmill is one of the most popular and best home exercise equipment options around. It’s ideal for cardio as well as weight loss and comes in all price ranges. You can also find some great deals on used treadmills as well. Be sure any treadmill has a wide belt, an incline setting, and a good warranty.

Elliptical Trainers

The elliptical trainer is fast approaching and in many cases, surpassing the popularity of treadmills. With their low-impact workout routines it’s easy to see why.

You control the intensity level and can easily adjust the levels of resistance. Like treadmills, elliptical trainers vary in price. Look for a good machine with a warranty.

Stationary Bike

Though this home exercise equipment option is not as popular as it once was, it is still a good choice.

You can find high end stationary bikes with built-in cooling fans as well as state of the art riding programs with video screens. It’s like you are a part of the Tour De France.

Steppers

If you want something for cardio work, a step machine may be your best home exercise equipment option. They are also great for your lower body.

Bowflex Home Gym

If building muscle mass is what you desire then you can’t go wrong with a Bowflex machine. You can several different models that all offer superior resistance training and muscle building. There are also some excellent deals to be found on used Bowflex equipment as well.

Free Weights

The oldest form of home fitness and exercise there is. Free weights are an inexpensive home fitness option that will quickly build muscle mass and get you in shape. For many people, free weights and a weight bench are the single best home exercise equipment option.

Regardless of which type of exercise equipment you choose, the key to getting any kind of results will always be in using it on a regular basis. By choosing the equipment that is in your budget and that you truly enjoy using, you will get the results you’re seeking and have some fun at the same time.

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So you’ve gone through all the options and decided that a home gym is right for you. After all it’s convenient, private and can save you money by not paying for a gym membership.

You know what’s coming next. You have to plunk down 200, 500, maybe even 2,000 dollars to get the system that you want. And with all the choices out there how do you really know what you want anyway?

There are two main types of machines on the market, cardiovascular and strength training. Your body will look very different after you’ve shed the pounds depending on which exercise machine you choose.

Cardiovascular: These machines get your heart pumping quickly and increase your overall stamina. They include treadmills, ellipticals, exercise bikes, rowing exercise machines, steppers and skiers. Once you get your heart rate going on one of these machines you’ll start shedding calories fast. And most come with a calorie tracker so you can see when you’ve burned off that hamburger you felt so guilty about eating.

Cardio machines often only focus on a few muscles, meaning that your legs might get toned but you won’t get a six-pack or strengthen your arm muscles if all you do is use an elliptical. If you want a toned look all over, you’ll need to add other exercises like sit-ups and push-ups to your routine.

When shopping for a safe machine make sure it is sturdy and quiet when in use. Some cheaper brands tend to be wobbly which can be dangerous and distract you from getting the most out of your workout. An anti static floor mat may also help the stability of your machine by creating a hard surface for it to stand on. Compare prices to the quality of a brand you like. It may be worth it to get the upgrade because it will last longer.

You’ll also want the control panel to have quick response time because when you’ve reached your limit on a treadmill you need to stop immediately. Some machines keep going until a few seconds after you press the button.

To avoid having problems order from an online retailer that has a good return policy. Check to see how thick the base legs are. This is something you can find easily on Pro Form treadmills or NordicTrack Ellipticals.

Strength Training: This is what you want if you’re looking for the big bulk. Pumping weights is the fastest way to get larger muscles without using harmful drugs. You can also tone your muscles with strength training by lifting smaller amounts.

If you plan to work out alone you’ll need to find a machine that has a built in spotter or uses resistance in place of weights. If not you may find yourself at a stalemate with the 100 pounds above your head. Talk about an awkward situation!

Just like cardiovascular workouts, you won’t get big arm muscles if all you buy is an AB CoreMaster. So make sure you know what muscles a particular machine targets before buying. You may find that it’s worth it to spend a little extra money to get an all-in-one gym that targets most major muscle groups than a machine that focuses on just a few.

And don’t be surprised if you don’t lose any weight after strength training for a long period of time. Since muscle weighs more than fat you may even find that you’ve gained a few pounds.

Take the time to analyze your goals. What areas of your body are you concerned about and how do you envision yourself looking at its best? You may decide that what you need is a combination of cardiovascular exercise from a machine like the Pro Form treadmill and strength training from a set of weights. There are a few machines on the market, like the Cardio Cruiser by Jake that do both in one. But no matter what you decide you’ll be happier with your purchase and the results you get if you base it on your goals.

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