Exercise Equipment—what To Buy?

If you have ever wondered what exercise equipment you really need to purchase, you are not alone. The home exercise equipment business is huge, taking in millions of dollars a year. Exercise bikes, treadmills, home gyms, exercise DVDs, mats, dumbbells, resistance bands, medicine balls…what exactly do you need to workout effectively at home?

Most personal trainers and fitness professionals recommend an hour of cardio five to seven days a week. Where this cardio comes from should be varied, so running outside or biking are great ideas, but when the weather turns bad, it is nice to have the options in your home. A treadmill or stationary bike is a good choice, depending upon what you like to do. A good choice for those with joint problems is an elliptical trainer. The elliptical motion keeps it low impact, as your feet never leave the pedals.

As for weight training, a good set of dumbbells of varying weights is a great idea, or find an adjustable set, such as the Power Block dumbbells or the Bowflex Selecttech dumbbells. These adjustable dumbbells take up less space, so they are perfect for those in apartments or those who just may not have the room for a lot of extra equipment.

If you are lifting weights at home, a good, sturdy workout bench is also a necessity. You can use a stability ball in place of a weight bench, and the stability ball is a great tool for core exercises, as well, so you can get two in one duty out of it; again, a plus if you are tight on space. If you are just starting out, resistance bands are a feasible alternative to dumbbells. These bands work with your own body weight and provide you with an excellent, muscle-building workout. You can stick with these, or trade up to dumbbells later on.

A mat is always a welcome addition when working out at home on either carpet or a hard floor. This will protect your back and make most core exercises easier, and it’s also a near-necessity if you practice yoga or Pilates. DVDs also make a good addition to the home exerciser’s toolbox, helping to provide variety in your workouts and giving you your very own personal training session right at home.

No matter what you choose, look for quality items and make sure you are purchasing something you will use—not something that will just gather dust in a closet somewhere. After all, it is not the equipment that gives you the workout, you have to put the effort in to see results.

By: Robin Dwyer

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Robin Dwyer is a fitness enthusiast and consultant for FitnessLyceum.com. We sell every type of home gym as well as all types of exercise equipment from leading manufacturers at competitive prices.