What are the benefits to exercising at home?

There are many benefits to exercising at home instead of at a gym or health club:

• You don’t have to deal with traffic or wait for someone to finish using a piece of equipment.
• You can exercise any time, 24 hours a day.
• You may save money.

What is home exercise equipment?

Home exercise equipment can include:

• Aerobic exercise equipment such as treadmills, exercise bikes, elliptical machines, and rowing machines that will strengthen your heart and lungs
• Exercise machines, like Cybex or Bowflex, and free weights such as barbell, dumbbells and kettlebells for muscle strength training
• Pull-up bars, a medicine ball, exercise balls, stretch bands, or a jump rope to improve strength and flexibility
• Game console fitness programs

What type of home exercise equipment should I get?

If you choose to workout at home, it is important to choose the correct exercise equipment. There are several things to think about before you buy:

• Budget: Quality exercise machines can be very expensive. If you have a limited budget, try looking for used equipment from fitness centers or for sale by previous owners. You can also get a great workout using equipment that costs less than $100, such as a dumbbell set, an exercise ball, or a jump rope.
• Fitness goals: If you are trying to build muscle strength, it is better to buy weight equipment. If you are trying to improve cardiovascular fitness, it is better to buy a bike, treadmill, rowing machine, or stair climber. Know your goals when you start to shop.
• Health conditions: If you have joint problems, bikes or elliptical machines may work better for you than treadmills. If you have concerns about your heart, you may want to consider getting a heart-rate monitor.
• Enjoyment: Don’t buy something if you don’t like that type of exercise. You will be more successful with your fitness goals if you buy home exercise equipment that you like to use.

What kind of equipment should I avoid buying?

Some equipment sounds good, but may promise results that are not realistic. For example:

• It is not likely that you will “effortlessly burn a lot of calories.” The fact is that the more you exercise, the more calories you’ll burn. Get equipment that suits you and that you will actually use. If the exercise is uncomfortable, or the equipment is hard to use, you will probably not achieve the results you want.
• You cannot “spot reduce” one part of your body, such as just your hips or waist. The way to reach your fitness goals is to exercise your whole body. Your weight depends on the number of calories you eat and how much you exercise each day. In general, exercise equipment that works the whole body or major parts of it helps you burn more calories than equipment that works just one part of the body.

Where can I buy home exercise equipment?

There are many places to buy home exercise equipment, such as sporting goods stores, fitness stores, or the Internet. You may also be able to find used equipment at secondhand stores, web sites, or local gyms or health clubs.

Make sure you have enough space in your home for the equipment you want to buy. Keep your equipment clean and in good condition. Always make sure you talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new fitness program.