When purchasing home fitness and home gym equipment, your individual needs and concerns should be your main objectives. Ignoring these two major points and you may well spend your time and money foolishly. The American College of Sports Medicine warns against any claims such as “immediate results,” or “effortless workout,” or “takes just minutes a day.”

If you’re in the market for a treadmill, will you be walking or running? What is the maximum weight the unit will support? Surface stability is essential; there should be no side-to-side movement. Beware of the attractive “extras” that are advertised with the machine. These may be masking a machine which is lacking in quality and dependability.

Shopping for an elliptical trainer (also called a cross trainer), is a wanting machine designed for aerobic exercises, i.e., walking or running; stair stepping, or cross country skiing. Investigate machines that are “pre set” as the settings may correspond to your individual needs. The arm handles and pedals should have a smooth, fluid motion, since catching or striking can interfere with the momentum of the exercise. Again, what’s the maximum weight it can support? Look for quiet operation.

If you’re looking to buy a stationary bike, they are still very popular and now boast multiple program capability. Some can actually connect to the internet so the user can maintain an online record of his or her progress. The bikes come in 2 types: upright and recumbent. Look for an adjustable seat. You’ll want the pedals wide enough with straps for secure footing. It should accommodate ease of mounting and dismounting. A heavy front wheel will provide more stability. And a heart monitor for measuring the current rate of exertion.

Home gyms! Again, what are your goals? Are you a body builder or just looking to tone up and practice general fitness? Some machines claim 50 different exercises, others more. There is a home gym which has been endorsed and recommended by the Exercise Equipment Expert Review Journal. The best value is the Bayou Fitness Total Trainer DLX. Compared with other gyms that are as much as three times the cost, the Total Trainer is sturdy, dependable, versatile (50 exercises), comes completely assembled, stores away in a couple of minutes, and provides ease of operation.

The author purchased a Total Trainer in January of this year, strictly online, manufacturer direct. It has lived up to everything it claimed, and it is used and shared by others and their families. When you compare home gyms side by side (and you can online), the Bayou Fitness Total Trainer comes out on top, so welcome during these tough economic times where one can remain fit and not spend extravagantly to do it.

Technorati Tags: fitness equipment, home gym, Home gym equipment