How to Choose the Best Fitness Equipment for Your Needs

Regular exercise can improve your health and wellness because it can reduce the risk of illnesses like heart disease, while helping you manage your weight. Research shows that exercise boosts self-esteem, promotes good sleep quality, enhances energy and improves your mood. However, sticking to a regular fitness schedule is sometimes a challenge. After all, there are several potential barriers like time, motivation and the cost of expensive gym memberships. Fortunately, these barriers need not stand in the way of you achieving your fitness goal.

One practical strategy for overcoming these common barriers is investing in a home gym. A home gym offers a wide range of benefits, such as privacy, saved costs and convenience. Without having to leave your house, you can tailor an exercise program to your ability and fitness goals. Here are practical tips to help you identify home workout equipment with the best value for you.

Cardiovascular exercises help burn calories and fat and assist in boosting lung capacity. They also reduce the risk of health conditions like heart disease and diabetes. As little as 15 to 20 minutes of cardio workout each day may aid in dealing with stress and make it easier to fall asleep at night. The best overall exercise equipment for home cardio workouts includes:

• Treadmill: A treadmill allows you to walk or run indoors. When buying one, look for models with varying inclines and speeds. Also, consider a treadmill with built-in heart rate monitoring. Models with front and side rails and emergency stop capabilities offer added safety to reduce the risk of injury. To make your investment last, buy a treadmill with a powerful motor and sturdy frame that ensures durability.
• Stationary bike: An exercise bike requires no training and is easy to use for practicing cardiovascular training in the comfort of your home. If you're wondering how to choose an exercise bike, look for models with adjustable resistance or the ability to program custom settings. Also, pick one with a comfortable, cushioned seat to allow longer riding sessions.
• Rowing machine: This equipment mimics the movement of rowing a boat which focusing on working the arms, back and leg muscles to deliver a full-body workout. When buying a rowing machine, consider pulley models or water rowers that both provide a smooth rowing experience.
• Stair stepper: This machine offers a low-impact workout that replicates climbing a flight of stairs. Some have levers and handgrips to work your arms. Check out models with independent foot action, handrails and wide stair platforms.
• Cross-country ski machine: A cross-country ski machine allows you to enjoy the benefits of skiing at any time of year. Since it offers low-impact upper and lower body workouts, this piece of equipment exerts minimal stress on your joints while you work your arms and legs.
• Elliptical trainer: This low-impact machine enables aerobic exercise that burns a high amount of calories in a short time. Not only does it provide lower and upper body training, but an elliptical trainer also allows you to target specific leg muscles by adjusting incline and resistance.

Although cardio workouts improve your health and appearance, incorporating strength training into your fitness regimen helps you build muscle and increase fat burn. Strength training also helps improve bone density and reduces the chances of injuries. Commonly used strength equipment includes:

• Exercise mat: A cushioned exercise mat provides a comfortable surface for floor workouts. Select a nonslip mat with ample padding for optimal comfort.
• Exercise bench: An exercise bench allows you to perform a wide range of strength training exercises like bench presses. Look for padded models with an adjustable layout to perform a wide range of upper and lower body exercises.
• Hand weights: Based on your current strength, start with light weights and add heavier ones as you progress. Dumbbells that have padded center bars and D-shaped weights allow for a comfortable grip. Also, consider barbells to diversify your weightlifting workouts.
• Resistance bands and tubing: Resistance bands allow full-body strength training without taking up lots of space. The lightweight design of these popular exercise equipment accessories makes them portable and easy to store.

As with all purchases, start by deciding on a reasonable budget. Since you don’t need to buy all the fitness equipment at once, you can decide what you need to prioritize first. Assess your fitness goals and then determine what order you’ll buy each piece of equipment to ensure you get the maximum value from your home gym.

Next, measure your designated gym space to determine the size and amount of equipment you can safely use at home. If you have limited space, consider fitness equipment that folds up or slides away for easy storage. Also, check out equipment racks to store items such as dumbbells and weights to keep things organized and accessible. Other things to keep in mind when buying gym equipment include ease of use and comfort. Look out for gym equipment with special features to improve safety and your overall workout experience. For the latest technology in home workouts, check out connected fitness equipment. These products allow you to exercise using smart devices like fitness trackers, interactive video displays and the ability to engage with others across the globe who share the same fitness goals.

After you decide which home exercise equipment is the most effective for your specific health, fitness and personal care goals, you’ll be able to better enjoy your home workout experience.