Fitness equipment can greatly aid your workouts and make them more effective. Deciding on which piece of equipment is best for you can depend on many factions, budget, needs, quality of equipment, interests, where you would use the equipment and storage whilst it is not in use.
Fitness equipment can run anywhere from $50 to $5,000 or more. You may be satisfied with some hand weights or an exercise ball or you may want a complete home gym. This all depends, of course, on your budget, your commitment and your desired workout routine.
A few free weights might be a good start if your preliminary goal is to tone and build muscle mass. A quality bar for chin-ups and pull-ups would be a good addition to a basic set. Between floor exercises and some elementary weight lifting, combined with chin-ups or pull-ups, you can design a varied workout.
It’s always a good idea to have a longer-term plan, though. Buy higher quality today, equipment that lasts and that will continue to be part of your routine for several years. If you’re considering an exercise bike, for example, in order to do some spinning for a great cardio workout, get something solid and reliable. You want the bike to be good for at least five years.
Think about how much space you have, and how much you’re likely to have for the next few years. For a bike you need only about 10 square feet, but a treadmill will require 30 square feet. A multi-station home gym may take up to 100 square feet or more, depending on the design.
If you’re just starting out, test a variety of equipment from different manufacturers at multiple outlets. Several companies make high quality gear, but every person is an individual. That means that a machine that works great for one person may be unsuited for another.
Make sure you get equipment that’s adjustable to fit your body size and type. That also helps when and if you share the equipment with a partner. Make sure the adjustments – for tensions, lengths, weights, etc – will travel through a wide range. As you build strength and endurance you’ll want equipment that continues to test you as you develop.
Make sure you, and anyone who shares it, can use the equipment safely. Multi-station home gyms have safety features that vary in style and effectiveness. Pick equipment that suits you, not the salesperson.
From some advisors, ‘no pain, no gain’ can mean ‘you should feel some pain’. Some mild discomfort the day after is normal and expected. But if it hurts you to use the equipment, either you’re doing something wrong – and should get guidance about proper technique – or the equipment isn’t right for you. You should feel comfortable using it.
For example, walking machines should have rails that suit your height. They should also have rollers and settings that you can operate properly while in motion. Weight machines should have a chair and handlebars that you can sit in and grab without straining and don’t produce back or neck aches.
Shop around, ask a lot of questions and don’t buy until you are satisfied that you’ve found something that will last and suits your unique style.
