Exercise Equipment

A good home gym offers exercises for your upper and lower body.

• Start with some quality footwear. Look at the bottom of your old and worn exercise sneakers to determine the area of your shoe that receives the most wear. This will vary from person to person because of different foot shapes. Purchase sneakers that are reinforced in your specific worn area.
  
  
• Set goals for yourself before purchasing equipment. Decide exactly what it is you are planning to accomplish. Do you want a cardiovascular workout, or do you want muscle toning? Prove to yourself that you are going to stick with this exercise plan and that you have enough time in your day for it.
  
  
• Before purchasing exercise equipment, there are a few things you should consider. Look for equipment that will incorporate a number of different exercises. Not only will this provide a better workout, it will cut down on exercise boredom. Don't let equipment become a bedroom clothes rack.
  
  
• Ask yourself, do I have enough room for this equipment in my house? Invest in fold-up equipment that can be stored in a closet or under a bed if you are short on space.
  
  
• Place exercise equipment on a rug or rubber mat to absorb shocks and protect the floor. One idea is to purchase old carpet samples from a carpet store. The squares fit nicely under the machines and you can easily find colors that match your decor.
  
  
• Wipe down the equipment with a towel after each use. Occasionally clean the equipment with a damp cloth to combat dust. You can use a glass cleaner on the plastic parts . This will keep the equipment in working order.
  
  
• Keep your exercise equipment vacuumed.
  
  
• Don't be fooled by false claims such as "get in shape working out only three minutes per day." Remember that getting in shape requires work. For the best results, combine exercise with a sensible diet.
  
  
• Check out the equipment before purchasing it. Actually get on the equipment at the store and try it out to make sure it's right for you.
  
  
• Inspect the equipment. Does it seem sturdy and well built? Check the equipment on a regular basis to make sure all of the nuts and bolts are secure. Don't risk an accident.
  
  
• Choose equipment that is well padded and comfortable.

Treadmills

• Make sure a treadmill has a cushioned deck to absorb shock.
  
  
• Ask about the motor size. Some motors claim to run at 3 mph, but does the motor run that fast when you are on the treadmill? Make sure the motor is covered by a warranty.
  
  
• Check the width of the belt, and look for treadmills that have 17 to 20-inch belts. Wider is better as you don't have to worry about stepping off the belt as much.
  
  
• Deck length is also important. Check out your stride on the machine because if the deck is too short, you might tend to slip off the back of the treadmill.
  
  
• To limit wear on the treadmill, set aside a pair of new shoes for use only on the treadmill. If you use the same shoes that you usually wear outside, they may track sand and grit onto the treadmill, causing unnecessary wear-and-tear on the belt.

Exercise Bikes

• There are two styles of stationary exercise bicycles: upright and semi-recumbent. People with back problems should resort to the semi-recumbent bike. This style is also better for toning the legs.
  
  
• There are two kind of resistance, magnetic and standard brake pad. Magnetic is better because there are no rubbing parts that may have to be maintained.

Home Gyms

• Again, there are two basic types of home gym equipment, machines using weight stacks and free weights.
  
  
• It's easier to work with weight stacks.
  
  
• Think about how much space you have for this machine.