Exercise Equipment Buying Guide

Start by deciding what your fitness goals are. Knowing the benefits of each type of exercise is crucial to determining which one is right for you. Once you know your goals, you can figure out which pieces of fitness equipment will give you the results you want.

Core Training

Your core is the center of your body, also called your trunk or torso. Without core training, you won't have the strength, flexibility or alertness for other sports. Core training will help you even if you don't play sports.

Benefits of core training

• Core training strengthens the muscles that surround your spine: stomach, lower back, pelvis and hips.
• Core training relieves back pain and protects your spine from injuries.
• Core fitness allows your upper body to work more fluidly with your lower body, giving you better posture and improved balance.
• Core training helps the organs in your torso function better.
• Core training aids in brain and nervous system support, so a core workout helps your concentration.

Equipment options for core training

Exercise ball: An exercise ball is a versatile tool for a core workout. The term "exercise ball" refers to any inflated, vinyl ball used for fitness. The dimensions are usually measured in centimeters.

• 45cm for a person under 5 feet tall
• 55cm for a person 5 feet 1 inch to 5 feet 8 inches tall
• 65cm for a person 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet 2 inches tall
• 75cm for a person 6 feet 3 inches to 6 feet 7 inches tall
• 85cm for a person 6 feet 8 inches and taller

Exercise balls require an air pump; many come with one. As an exercise ball deflates, it can become more stable, but keeping it filled will allow you to get the most out of your core workout.

Exercise mat: An exercise mat will give you some padding during your core workout. Exercise mats can range from small, thin yoga mats to large, padded gymnastics mats, but average exercise mats are made out of a rubberized plastic. Choose the size based on which exercise you do. If you'd like some padding while you do sit-ups, you can choose a small exercise mat, about 24 inches wide and 68 inches long. If you need an area for aerobics, you'll need a larger exercise mat, around 3 feet wide and 4 to 6 feet long.

Other exercise equipment: Core training can also be done with balance discs, chair exercise systems and resistance bands.

Strength Training

Strength training uses weights or a weight machine to exercise. Weight training can help you build and tone muscles.

Benefits of strength training

• When your muscles are in shape, your lean muscle will burn fat even while you rest.
• Strength training will help you to perform better as an athlete.
• Weight training will reduce pain and risk of injury.
• Strength training helps to reduce your risk of developing many diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis.
• Some studies have concluded that weight training can reduce depression.

Equipment options for strength training

Weights can easily be added to your workout. Pick up some dumbbells or other hand weights to hold while you are walking, jogging or stair climbing. Strap on a pair of leg weights when working out on your other fitness equipment and maximize the time you spend on a treadmill, elliptical machine or exercise bike. Make weights the focus of your workout with a weight machine. Strength training machines let you lift, pull and twist your muscles into perfect form.

Boxing gear

For a full-body workout, try boxing, kick boxing or mixed martial arts (also known as MMA). Boxing and boxing-type sports help strengthen your upper and lower body while working your cardiovascular system.

Benefits of boxing

• Boxing can give you powerful muscles, particularly in your back, arms and legs.
• The movement of boxing is an aerobic workout, helping you develop a strong heart.
• Even when you only punch a bag, boxing can help you develop self-defense skills and confidence.
• Sparring with a partner will help you increase your reaction time.
• Boxing allows you to relieve stress and anger while improving your physique.

Equipment options for boxing

Boxing requires the right exercise equipment in order to practice the sport safely and efficiently. Boxing gloves and hand wraps are essential to protecting your hands. Boxing gloves come in different weights; the heavier a glove is the more protection it will provide.

• 10 ounce gloves are used in most professional boxing matches.
• 12 ounce gloves and 14 ounce gloves are good for beginners.
• 16 ounce gloves are standard sparring size.
• 18 ounce and 20 ounce gloves are heavy and safe, but may be unwieldy for people with smaller hands.

A boxing bag will give you a target when you don't have a boxing partner. When you do have a sparring partner, safety gear such as helmets, ankle wraps, shin guards and belly guards are important, especially when you are practicing sports that are variations on boxing.

Pilates

When Joseph Pilates created his "Contrology" fitness system to help rehabilitate soldiers after World War I, he didn't know that, almost a century later, it would be one of the most popular ways to exercise. If you need some help getting started, be sure to pick up a Pilates video or a Pilates DVD so you can see how to do each move correctly.

Benefits of Pilates

• Pilates focuses on strengthening your core muscles, giving you the benefits of a core workout.
• Pilates promotes physical discipline, allowing you to better integrate your mind and body through precision exercises.
• You'll feel taller because Pilates helps improve your posture.
• The stretching movements of Pilates will help you develop flexibility.
• Pilates can give you a flatter stomach because you focus on working your abdominal muscles.

Equipment options for Pilates

Because most Pilates exercise done at home is performed on the floor, you'll want to start with a Pilates mat. A Pilates mat is usually more padded than a yoga mat, but is about the same size, about 24 inches wide and 54 to 68 inches long. You can use other exercise balls or try a Pilates ball, which is small and meant to be held during workouts, either in your hands or between your knees. A Pilates ball can also be used for massaging your muscles. Pilates exercise equipment will help you perform the stretches the way that Joseph Pilates intended: smoothly and precisely.

Yoga

Yoga is an ancient Eastern Indian practice rooted in spiritualism. Part meditation and part fitness, a yoga workout helps you strengthen your body and mind.

Benefits of yoga

• The stretching done in yoga alleviates strain that can be caused by sitting at a desk all day or by poor posture.
• Many people find that they feel taller because their posture is improved by yoga.
• Because your body will be more flexible and strong from yoga, you can prevent injuries.
• The gentle movements of yoga allow your muscles to flush out toxins, helping improve your energy.
• Yoga focuses on integrating your mind with your body and developing a mental awareness of your physical being, allowing you to better take care of your needs.
• The breathing exercises and meditative qualities of yoga help relieve mental stress and allow you to think clearly.

Equipment options for yoga

A yoga workout relies almost entirely on your own body, so your yoga kit only needs a few items. To increase the stability of your yoga workout, you will need a yoga mat. Yoga mats are made of a thin material that will stay in place on the floor but should not stick to your feet, so you can move freely. Choose a yoga mat that is machine washable as you will be sweating on it. A yoga ball can be used for seated yoga poses. Choose a yoga ball the same way you choose an exercise ball.

Pick up a new yoga DVD or yoga video along with your yoga kit so you can learn the yoga moves and easily get started with your new fitness plan.

Exercise accessories

Fitness Books and Videos

When you are unsure about how to start a fitness plan, you'll want to get fitness advice from the experts with fitness books and fitness videos.

Choose fitness books when:

• You want advice on working the right muscle groups for the sport you want to play and on the foods to eat while you train for the sport.
• You are going through a change in life (pregnancy, aging or an illness) and need to learn how to manage the physical effects.
• You need information about weight loss and physical fitness.
• You want new exercise ideas so you can start a new fitness routine.

Choose fitness videos when:

• You need help sustaining a full 30-, 45- or 60-minute workout.
• You need direction with stretching, reminders about form throughout a workout and a guided cool-down.
• You want to make the most of your fitness equipment. Exercise videos can guide you through a full workout on your treadmill, exercise bicycle or other home fitness equipment.

For even more books, videos and DVDs about health and fitness, be sure to check out Overstock.com's entertainment store.

Fitness Apparel and Gym Bags

There's nothing more awkward and uncomfortable than wearing the wrong clothes during a workout. Without fitness apparel, you'll be hot, you won't be able to move easily, and you may get a few funny looks from the people around you. When you aren't comfortable in your fitness clothing, you won't be as motivated to stick to your exercise plan.

Good workout clothes should:

• Be made out of fabric that is breathable, absorbent and quick-drying.
• Be made out of fabric with plenty of stretch.
• Be attractive and flattering. When your fitness apparel is comfortable and stylish, you'll look forward to putting it on and exercising.

When you work out at a gym, sports bags are helpful exercise accessories. A gym bag with a lot of pockets will keep your change of clothes, gym shoes and personal items organized. Gym bags should be large enough to carry everything you need for your workout and for cleaning up afterward, yet compact enough to fit into a gym locker.

Jogging strollers

When you want to lose the baby weight or just take your baby out for some fresh air, a jogging stroller will get you and your baby on the road. Look for these features in a jogging stroller:

• Jogging stroller wheels should be large and sturdy so you and your baby can experience a comfortable, maneuverable ride. The wheels need to be made out of rubber; plastic stroller wheels will not work for jogging.
• A five-point harness will keep your baby secure in a jogging stroller; these attach on both side of your baby's waist, between the legs and over both shoulders.
• A storage basket underneath the stroller seat lets you stash a purse or diaper bag and an extra jacket for you or your baby. Another jogging stroller storage option may be a drink holder, which is excellent for a water or baby bottle.
• Newborns under three months need to lie on their backs while in any stroller. A reclining seat will let them do so, and when they can sit up, the seat can sit up, too. A reclining seat is also helpful for older babies who get tired while riding in their stroller.
• If people of different heights will be using the stroller, adjustable handle heights will be helpful. For maximum comfort, you'll want to have your baby jogger's handles at waist level or a little lower.

Heart rate monitors

If you feel like you exercise a lot without seeing results, the solution may be a heart rate monitor. When you have a heart rate monitor, you can determine if you are getting the level of exercise that is appropriate for your age, fitness level and physical goals.

Fitness experts have determined the rate at which your heart should beat in order to achieve different fitness results. This is called your target heart rate, and it is figured out using a mathematical equation. With a heart rate monitor, checking your pulse and figuring out the math are taken care of for you, and you never have to stop exercising to do it yourself. Most heart rate monitors continuously display your heart rate, so you know throughout your workout whether you are burning fat, working your cardiovascular system or just wasting your time.

Many heart rate monitors have other features, such as stopwatches and timers. Some heart rate monitors can calculate how many calories you have burned during your workout. Choose a heart rate monitor with as few or as many features as you would find helpful while exercising.

Pedometers

You may be getting more exercise than you think, and you can find out with a pedometer. When you have a pedometer, you can measure how many steps you take every day.

• When you don't walk around very much, you are probably taking about 3,000 or 4,000 steps daily.
• Add another 2,000 steps (about half an hour of walking) to help prevent weight gain.
• When you want to lose weight, take about 10,000 steps per day.

Places you can use a pedometer:

• Make the most of a trip to the grocery store by measuring your steps with a pedometer.
• Wear a pedometer around your house while cleaning or chasing your kids.
• Let your pedometer justify a trip to the mall; measure your steps while you shop.
• Take advantage of local trails and parks; measure the steps you take on a hike.
• See how many extra steps you take when you park your car in the farthest stall from your office.

With this exercise equipment from Overstock.com, you'll be on the road to fitness in no time.

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