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The Right Home Fitness
Equipment
For more and more people, home fitness equipment has become a must-have
item. The convenience of having access to exercise
equipment in their home is a big factor, as is the cost
savings of home fitness equipment in comparison to gym
or fitness club memberships.
But what is the best home exercise equipment on the
market? The answer is “it depends” because each person
has different needs, different space available to hold
home fitness equipment, and different budgets available
to spend.
In generally, the simplest equipment is the most likely
to be used on a regular basis. If you select home
fitness equipment that is too complicated, too hard, or
just not something you like to do, chances are it will
sit in a corner somewhere collecting dust. Think
carefully about what kind of equipment you are most
likely to use, and whenever possible, try it out ahead
of time to make sure you really like it.
Home Gyms
A common piece of home fitness equipment is the home
gym. This type of equipment is primarily used for
building muscle, shaping, and toning the body. There are
three main types of home gyms:
• Traditional
• Power rod
• Gravity resistance
Traditional home gyms may have free weights and
barbells, or be machine-type gyms with several stations
and functions attached to a single steel frame. A free
weight system is good for exercise enthusiasts who are
knowledgeable about proper form and technique for
lifting weights. For less experienced users, though, a
machine-type gym offers most of the same benefits while
helping to ensure good technique by using prescribed
motions. A traditional home gym usually requires quite a
bit of space to hold the equipment and also allow enough
room around the perimeter to access the stations and
perform exercises.
Power rod home gyms have surged in popularity
over the last decade, driven primarily by the Bowflex
brand of home fitness equipment. A power rod machine
uses flexible rods of varying stiffness connected to a
cable and pulley system. When the cables are attached to
different rods the user can either increase or decrease
the resistance they will experience. Power rod equipment
typically requires less space than a traditional home
gym and is usually less expensive. The materials are not
as durable, though, and this type of home fitness
equipment is not suitable for serious athletes who
require sturdier equipment with a greater range of
weight resistance.
Gravity resistance home gyms are typically the
lightest weight and least expensive type of home gym.
This home fitness equipment uses an adjustable metal
frame and a gliding board or bench to perform exercises.
The user lies on the board in various positions, and by
pulling on a cable and pulley system, the weight of
their body creates the resistance they experience. This
type of system is often quite compact, folding up for
easy storage. The disadvantage to that feature, though,
is that equipment kept out of site tends to be out of
mind and not used on a regular basis.
Treadmills
Another popular type of home fitness equipment is the
treadmill. While this tends to be a large piece of
equipment and can be quite expensive, it is also a very
versatile piece that is suitable for exercise
enthusiasts of varying fitness and skill levels. The
most expensive models are extremely durable and can
handle a great deal of intense use by serious runners.
More mid-range models are not quite as durable, and the
low-end models are generally best suited for walking and
light uses.
Treadmills can take up quite a bit of space so you
should make sure your home can accommodate the size and
weight of whichever model you select. Do not put your
treadmill in a garage or any other space that is not
climate controlled, because the motor and other parts
are not designed for outdoor or semi-outdoor use. Look
for a treadmill that has at least a 1.5 horsepower
motor, and preferably one that is 2.0 horsepower or
more. The belt should be long enough and wide enough to
accommodate the length and width of your stride, and it
should be constructed of at least two-ply material to
withstand the friction and impact of your activity.
Elliptical Trainers
This type of home fitness equipment first appeared in
the 1990’s, and it has gained tremendously in popularity
ever since. Modern elliptical trainers provide motion
and exercise to both the upper and lower body, making it
an effective and efficient full body workout.
When looking for an elliptical trainer, whenever
possible opt for a rear drive system rather than a front
drive system. Rear drive machines are far sturdier, more
reliable, and provide a smoother motion for the user.
The resistance system will vary according to price, with
the least expensive models using a manual system,
mid-range models using a motorized brake system, and the
most sophisticated high-end models employing an eddy
current brake system. Stride length is another important
thing to keep in mind, because different people have
different natural strides. Look for an elliptical
trainer that allows you adjust the stride length to suit
your own body style and stride length.
Stationary Bikes
Stationary bikes have been around for several decades,
yet they remain popular as simple, easy to use home
fitness equipment. Modern stationary bikes come in many
shapes and sizes, so it is fairly straightforward to
find one that fits in the available space inside your
home. While traditional bikes have the user sitting
upright, just as they would on a regular bicycle, more
and more exercise enthusiasts are turning to recumbent
seating instead. A recumbent exercise bike allows you to
sit in a slightly reclined position while pedaling with
your legs in front of you. The benefit of this type of
bike is that is places much less strain on the back,
making it well suited to people who are prone to back
soreness or pain. Some models also come with the option
of arm motion, too, usually accomplished with handles or
a cable and pulley system.
Summary
Whatever type of home fitness equipment you choose, the
most important thing to do is select something that you
will find enjoyable, convenient, and easy to use. If you
don’t, it is likely that you will gradually stop using
it and it will become just another item sitting unused
in the corner. The best home fitness equipment is that
which you use regularly, so make your own comfort level
the most important consideration when making a selection.
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