Home Gym Buying Guide

Getting in shape is important for your health, and a home gym is one of the best ways to reach your fitness goals. Joining an expensive gym can be a hassle, but you can avoid the crowds and save some money by creating your own home gym. This home gym buying guide was designed to help you evaluate your options so you can choose the best home gym machines for you.

Buying Home Gym Equipment:

1. Gym equipment basics: Home gym machines share a few general features you'll want to consider while making your selection.

2. Monitors give you information about time, distance, calories burned and more. Some include programmable home fitness routines. Make sure the home exercise equipment you choose has all of the information that you are interested in knowing.

3. Weight limits are given on all gym machines. Make sure the one you choose can support you safely.

4. Space is required to use and store home fitness equipment. The dimensions are given for all gym machines, but make sure to consider how you'll fit when on your exercise machine. If you plan on using an elliptical trainer in a basement, plan for your height while standing on the pedals. You'll also want to measure the floor space where you plan to place your home exercise equipment.

5. Assembly is required for most gym machines. Be sure to consider your abilities (or if you'll be able to find a helper) when making your choice.

6. Elliptical trainer buying tips: Elliptical trainers allow you to move in a walking or running motion, your feet creating an oval-shaped action. Your feet do not leave the pedals, which creates a low-impact workout. Beginners and those with sensitive joints will appreciate this. Most elliptical machines also have handles that coordinate with the pedal movements, providing a complete workout for the upper and lower body.

7. Exercise bicycle buying tips: An exercise bike offers a low-impact cardio workout with the same smooth movements of a regular bicycle in your home. Because you can adjust the resistance on an exercise bike, you can vary the amount of calories you burn, making the workout on an exercise bike very efficient.

8. Features to look for in exercise bikes: All exercise bicycles should allow you to adjust the seat to ensure a proper fit. You will have various ways to adjust the tension on an exercise bike; some require you to stop and get off the stationary bike while others can be adjusted during your workout. There are three different kinds of exercise bicycles: upright exercise bikes, recumbent bikes and dual-action bikes.

9. An upright exercise bike lets you sit in the same upright position as a regular bicycle.

10. A recumbent bike lets you sit back with the pedals stationed in front of you instead of underneath you. This creates a very comfortable workout for people with back pain.

11. A dual-action stationary bike has handles you can move while you pedal so you can get an upper-body workout as well as a lower-body workout.

12. Rowing machine buying tips: Designed to mimic the motions of rowing oars on a boat, a rowing machine will give you a cardio and strength training workout. This is a full-body workout that will increase muscle tone in your back, arms, legs and core. Because of the exertion required, rowing machines aren't as popular as some other home exercise equipment, but the workout intensity of a row machine is appreciated by people who are serious about getting in shape.

13. Treadmill buying tips: Treadmills remain the most popular home fitness equipment. All you need to know to use a treadmill is how to walk or run; the treadmill takes care of the rest. When you love the workout you get from a run or brisk walk but just can't get outside, treadmills are the gym machines for you. Burn calories, build muscle, lose weight, strengthen your heart and feel healthier with a treadmill.

14. Features of treadmills: Many treadmills let you set the speed and incline for your walk or run, but if you'd rather not deal with a lot of settings, you can select a manual treadmill. If you want to put away your treadmill after your workout, choose a folding treadmill so you can slide it under the bed or into a closet. For more information about treadmills, read our Treadmill Buying Guide.

Tips from Overstock.com:



1. Aches and pains: Working out on your new home fitness equipment may make you a bit sore. Create a health experience by adding physical therapy tools to your home gym, such as massage equipment or even a home sauna.

2. Stay motivated: When you aren't comfortable in your fitness clothing, you won't be as motivated to stick to your exercise plan. When your fitness apparel is comfortable and stylish, you'll look forward to putting it on and working out in your home gym. A little incentive can go a long way toward reaching your fitness goals, even when it comes in the form of the perfect pair of shorts.


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