8 Most Popular Home Fitness Equipment

Nowadays we are given a lot more options when it comes to
the fitness equipment that we use at home. In the past,
unless we had a lot of space and money, we might just have
been able to use a fitness video, basic exercise bike or a
rowing machine. Now, there is a world of choice when it
comes to choosing machines and equipment that can help us
get fit.

The kind of equipment that you choose to help you get fit at
home may involve one simple machine or a range of equipment.
What you choose here usually depends on what you want/need
to do to get fit, how much space you have at home to store
equipment and how much you can afford to spend on equipment
in the first place.

Some of the more popular choices here at the moment include:

1. Home gyms/Multigyms - this kind of fitness equipment
brings together a variety of exercise options and machines
into one useful fitness station. This kind of machine may
best suit people who spend a lot of time and effort on their
fitness levels and those who like to use cross training to
get the desired results.

2. Exercise bikes - an exercise bike is a stationary bike
that gives you all the advantages of cycling without the
need to go anywhere! A recent popular variation on this
theme is the spin bike.

3. Treadmills - treadmills are machines that have a
mechanized or manual belt operation. The belt moves as you
walk or run on it. Home options here include manual
treadmills where you make the belt move as you move and
mechanized treadmills where the belt runs automatically.

4. Rowing machines - a rowing machine is a piece of
equipment which allows you to simulate a rowing action. As a
sport rowing has a lot of general fitness and endurance
benefits and a rower is the preferred option of choice for
many home fitness users.

5. Cross trainers/Ellipticals - these machines give a good
all round workout. They work on the basis that your feet
push pedals and your arms push handles at the same time and
you use resistance forces to maintain/improve fitness.

6. Weights and benches - if you prefer weight training as
your fitness option of choice then weights and a bench may
be your best option. You can use free weights here or bar
weights depending on your preference, or both.

7. Steps - in recent years the step has become a popular
form of home exercise following on from its phenomenal
success in the gym. Here you use the step to maintain 'step'
exercises.

8. Small fitness equipment - many people also opt to use
smaller pieces of fitness equipment available today. These
include items such as resistance bands and exercise balls.

Do remember to think hard about what you want from fitness
equipment at home before you go out and buy a load of
machines that you will not use. It is better in some ways to
start off with one or two pieces of equipment here and then
to ramp up your purchases as you get into a regular fitness
regime and as your development progresses.

5 Types Of Home Exercise Equipment

It seems like many people have similar goals about their
bodies - lose weight,
(http://www.physicalassets.com/products/) strength training
or tone up, but fewer and fewer people are opting to join
gyms to try and reach their goals. Some people don't live
close enough to a gym to make that option feasible and some
people just simply can't afford the monthly dues. If you
have a goal of getting in better shape, but for one reason
or another can't or won't join a gym there are several
viable options you can have at home to help you achieve all
of your fitness goals.

Treadmills

There are few activities that burn calories as well as
running, if you've got some extra weight that you want to
lose or if you just want to get into the best cardiovascular
condition that you possibly can - then running is
an obvious choice to get you to your goal. Running (or
walking for that matter) is an activity that almost anyone
can do without a gym or fancy equipment. The problem with
outdoor running is that weather conditions can ruin your
workout.

A treadmill can be an inexpensive way to be able to do your
running/walking workout without having to worry about the
weather forecast. Rain or shine; wind or cold - it makes no
difference, with a treadmill you'll be able to get a great
workout without leaving your home.

Ellipticals

Elliptical machines offer a cardio workout that can rival
that of a good run or walk. Elliptical machines can cost a
bit more than a lower end treadmill but they do offer one
unique advantage - next to no impact. If you've had a
history of joint pain or problems that preclude you from
high impact exercises like running then an elliptical
machine may be just the thing you need to get a great cardio
workout.

Exercise Bikes

Exercise bikes come in all shapes and sizes and are another
great low-impact alternative to running for cardio workouts.
Biking is an excellent activity to burn calories and build
overall health, but it's wise to "try before you buy" if at
all possible. All exercise bikes may not be comfortable to
all people and the last thing you want when trying to get a
good workout is to be stuck atop an uncomfortable apparatus.
If the store has a display model, give it a quick spin and
make sure that there are several adjustments to accommodate
people of different heights and sizes.

Home Gyms

If part of your goal is to build a bit of muscle, then a
home gym might be the right piece of equipment for you.
There are literally dozens of different brands and models to
choose from, each with different accessories and attachments
to accommodate even the most complex workout routines in a
limited amount of space. It's a good idea to read some
customer reviews before buying to try and gauge the ease of use
of each home gym. Some systems come with resistance bands,
weight stacks or resistance wheels - you want something that
will be user friendly so completing your workout is a
pleasure rather than a hassle.

Spinners

Spinners are like a newer, more advanced version of an
exercise bike. Some models offer wide ranges of adjustable
resistance and tons of extra added amenities that you
wouldn't normally find on a run of the mill indoor cycle.
Some spinners are designed to give you the feel that you
are actually out cycling and riders can get a ride along with
DVDs that virtually put you in different locations and situations
while working out. If you think that traditional indoor cycling is
too boring to hold your attention, than a spinner might be a

better choice.

Whatever your workout or fitness goal is, with the types and
varieties of equipment available - you certainly don't need
to spend the money or waste the time traveling to a gym -
you can get an excellent and tremendously effective workout
right in the comfort of your own home.