How to Shop for Home Fitness Equipment

Working out at home appeals to a growing number of people who enjoy their privacy, don't want to spend time traveling to a gym and don't want to spend money on an annual health club membership.

Once you've decided to invest in a piece of equipment, which piece should you buy?

"What I've found is that if you have the right fit of equipment, you have tremendous adherence to using it," says Charles T. Kuntzleman, Ed.D., director of Michigan's Fitness for Youth program. "Although no single machine is effective for total fitness, all aerobic equipment will enhance cardiovascular fitness to some degree."

Set a goal

The first step is to establish a goal. Is your goal to lose weight? Improve cardiovascular health? Tone muscle?

Then, tailor your search to equipment that matches your primary goal, say the experts.

Measure your space

A stationary bike, for example, might fit in a small space that would rule out a cross-training home gym. Treadmills should be placed at least six to eight feet of clearance from a wall. The power supply and wiring for any piece of equipment should be located away from walking paths or taped to prevent tripping when stepping on or off of the running belt.

Try it out

Try to sample any piece of equipment that you're considering buying. Many health clubs will allow you one free visit as a trial. If you sample equipment at a store, wear workout clothes and use the piece of equipment in a mini-workout for at least 10 minutes.

Treadmills

Treadmills tend to be a popular choice for exercise, if only because they serve as a natural extension to walking and jogging. The newer, motorized treadmills have improved tread surfaces that can absorb up to 40 percent more impact than outdoor surfaces. In addition, enhanced electronic displays provide precise training information, eliminating guesswork in pace.

Non-motorized treadmills are less expensive and safer because their belt stops moving when you do. Their smaller running belts, however, make it difficult to maintain a consistent pace. An inconsistent pace can cause muscle strain or difficulty in increasing your heart rate to get a good workout.

Treadmills are expensive and can be noisier than you might expect. It's not only the hum of the motor that can be annoying, but also the noise of pounding feet and extra volume needed to hear the radio or television. Most treadmills are heavy, and take up a sizable amount of floor space. Carefully measure your ceiling height, as well as sizes and angles of doorways before committing to a purchase, to be sure the space available will accommodate the treadmill, and that it can be safely moved to the home workout room.

Look for a treadmill motor with a continuous duty rating of 1.5 hp or more. To test the motor, plant your feet firmly on the belt while the machine is running at its lowest speed, and check for any hesitation, groaning or grinding. Other variables to check on a treadmill are cushioning of the deck, speed and incline ranges, and programming options. Programming options raise the price tag, so figure out how much you really need for motivation. Serious users should expect to pay at least $2,000.

Cross-country ski machines

These machines truly condition the entire body using a low impact movement, says Dr. Kuntzleman. You may feel that your time is more productive on a ski machine, because the upper body is conditioned at the same time. If this is your preferred machine, you can choose ropes or poles for the arm movement. Where a rope uses a pulley system, poles have a push-pull movement; both systems allow for tension adjustment. The foot motion, however, can be designed as dependent, where forward motion of one foot automatically makes the other move back, or independent, working each foot separately, most closely resembling actual skiing. Good ski machines cost between $500 and $700.

Stationary cycles

These are good for people with knee or back injuries and have the advantage of familiar movement and comparatively lower cost. They're not as effective in burning calories as a treadmill or ski machine, but a little more time will yield a good aerobic workout. You may develop saddle soreness at the beginning; women especially may need to shop for a seat more comfortable than the standard model. Recumbent and semi-recumbent models, bicycles that put your legs at a slight incline, will be more comfortable than the regular upright, and will cost a bit more, as well. Adequate support for your back is important, so test out a recumbent and semi-recumbent bike before you buy.

To be sure you are buying the best quality available, make certain that the handlebars and seat will adjust to fit your body. Also check the resistance mechanism to be sure it is right for your purposes. Flywheel resistance is turned by pedaling, air resistance uses fan blades, and computer-controlled resistance uses a thin flywheel between two magnets. Although higher-priced, the computer-controlled resistance bicycles do not wear out as quickly. Upright bikes cost between $200 and $2,000, and recumbent models, between $350 and $3,500.

Stair steppers

These machines are different from climbers in that a climber uses the upper body, as well as larger muscle groups. Steppers are a great low-impact alternative to running. Although several resistance methods are available on a quality stepper, you should avoid air-filled shocks. They tend to heat up quickly and are easily damaged. Be sure to look for self-leveling pedals to allow full range of motion and keep pressure off your knees. The machine should also allow your body to align in the correct posture: back upright and knees behind the toes. The price should range between $200 and $1,500.

Rowing machines

Dedicated rowers swear by their machines, insisting that rowers aerobically condition the body and build strength at the same time. For those who don't have lower back problems, they are safe machines, and provide a variation from normal workout motion. The biggest drawback is size: Some rowing machines are eight feet long. Piston-driven machines do not offer the quality you need for a good workout and long wear, and should be avoided. Flywheel or water-wheel resistance offers equal conditioning opportunities. The price of a quality rower is between $700 and $1,800.

Aerobic riders

Although easy to learn and smooth, these use the exerciser's weight as the sole resistance mechanism, so the workout tends to diminish in effectiveness as fitness increases. It is a great way to begin, however, if you are overweight or lead a mostly sedentary life. Be sure that the seat and handlebars adjust easily and that there is a mechanism for adjusting the resistance by hand. Aerobic riders should cost between $200 and $500.

Home versus gym

Be sure to recognize that home equipment and commercial equipment are quite different. You may be used to working out at the gym, where equipment is constantly in use; it is designed to be sturdier and is therefore much more expensive. A home version of what you are used to at the gym will be lighter weight, but still the same quality if it is from the same manufacturer. Some gyms may offer to sell refurbished equipment. You could also look in the want-ads for home equipment.