Exercise Equipment - how to choose what you need

Home exercise equipment is available at many different stores, and the equipment buyer's choices are huge. If you're amongst those people looking for a home gym, you should consider the following:

How do I know what a good buy is?

• "Do I think I'll use this home gym regularly? One of  the most important issues is your degree of commitment. 
• Will using this home gym help me reach the goals that I've set?
• Don't believe claims from advertisers like "abdominal exercising machines get rid of fat from your waist", and be aware of any hype about burning calories. A  person can expect to burn roughly 400 to 600 calories an hour in  exercise that includes use of large muscle groups (i.e. legs)
• Is the home gym you are considering buying made well?
• It's difficult to tell when looking. Be prepared to try the machine out in the store. Does it feel durable?
• The equipment should feel comfortable.
• A piece of equipment can be sturdy but still not feel comfortable. While trying it out in the store look out for symptoms such as back pain, knee or other joint pain. Seats should be comfortable and handles padded. Also pay attention to noise level and ease of access to controls.
• What type of equipment is the best?
• Try out each type of equipment and pick the one you feel is the best. Equipment that uses upper and lower extremities may burn more calories if that is your goal, but know that it must also feel right. Treadmill work can be good for you as well when adding a dumbell exercises or band exercises.
• How much floor space does it take up?
• Storing the equipment or having to take it apart may be deter you from exercising. Exercise equipment may be noisy and irritate those around you within earshot.
• Is this the best price?

Treadmill

• You may run, jog, or walk on a treadmill. While walking will stress joints the least, running and jogging will use more calories per given time on the treadmill.

• Treadmill surfaces can be harder or softer. If you are going to be running or jogging invest in a running surface that has more give. 
• A track that has a motorized incline can be a useful option since walking quickly on an incline can give you the similar intensity as a jog. A 1¼  - 1½  hp motor is adequate.
• If you are just interested in walking, you may save money by choosing a shorter and narrower belt. It's best if it is still at least five ft. long though.
• Handrails must be able to support your body weight in case you stumble.
• There are treadmills  that ccome with levers for an upper extremity workout, but these can feel awkward when working out for a long period of time.

• Holding the handrails reduces the workout intensity. Once you have mastered the technique keep your hands off the rails whenever possible. When walking or running on an incline, maintaining good posture with only a slight bend at the waist is best for your back.

Stationary Bike

• An exercise bike can provide a rather intense workouts while putting little or no stress on the knees. They can also  be relatively inexpensive when compared to other machines.

• Bikes with electronic brakes can adjust their resistance to automatically keep workload constant even though speed of pedaling changes. When using mechanical brakes, work-rate will increase when speed of pedaling increases; therefore the workout can be made harder by adjusting the resistance or increasing pedaling speed.
• For a bike with a mechanical brake, be sure the resistance knob can be adjusted easily and avoid bikes that use rubber brakes that grip the wheels as this can often result in a jerky ride. Bikes are best that use a belt that provides friction or some sort of wind resistance.
• Using a recumbent bike can  reduce strain on your lower back.
• Some bikes have arm cranking as well. Using arms and legs at the same time will burn more calories and may cause less fatigue per energy burned.
• Racing bars will require you to bend forward and may not feel comfortable when used by casual bikers.

• Make sure handle bars are comfortably positioned.
• Seat height should be positioned such that the knee is bent slightly (about 30 degrees)when the pedal is at the bottom of its turn.
• It is helpful to use clips on the pedals. This will allow the legs to pull up as well as push.

Rowing Machines

• Rowing works the upper boy as well as the lower body. A good stroke will require about 75 percent of its force to come from the legs Rowing can be thought of as boring though as it is an unfamiliar movement and it can be difficult to row and read  or watch TV at the same time.

• The two types of rowers are hydraulic and that using wind resistance. It's best to choose a rowing machine that will allow the seat to move back and forth easily and one that provides consistent resistance throughout the motion.

• Be sure to keep your chest up sitting upright, and don't arch your lower back as you pull. Keep arms close to your waist as you pull.

Cross Country Skiing Machines

• The action of cross-country skiing will engage the lower and upper extremity muscles like no other exercising machine. More calories are burned/minute, especially if you raise the machine so you are skiing on an incline. It's also easier on your joints as impact forces are low.

• Its best to buy a cross country skiing machine that will allow adjustment of lower and upper body resistance separately.

• Learning to use the cross country skiing machine co-ordinate your movements will take time.

Stair Climbers

• You may get a relatively intense workout while avoiding impact forces.

• Some machines come with pedals that are linked so that when you press down with one foot the other pedal rises. Other models allow the pedals to operate independently with is a more like a natural stepping rhythm.

• Step height can vary from  2 inches to 18 inches. It's best to keep pedals in their midrange and not allow them to touch the floor. 
• Keep your chest up to keep your back straight and don't allow your knees to move in front of your toes, or to sway in or out of alignment over the feet.
• By keeping feet flat you can minimize stress on the Achilles tendon.
• Don't lean forward on the handrails but just use them for balance.

The Exercise Rider Machine

• This piece of equipment combines rowing with a leg press, thereby providing  a greater "whole body" workout. A very fit person  may not get a high intensity workout but most individuals should feel like they're getting good exercise. 

• keep your knees from bending more than 90 degrees so as to avoid stress on the knees. When pulling avoid hyperextending your back.