Buying Home Fitness Equipment

The right home fitness equipment can add variety, convenience and consistency to your workouts. But too often, after you've purchased a piece of equipment, you realize you've made a mistake. Gregory Florez, president of First Fitness Inc., a personal training company, cautions against 10 common mistakes.

Don't Overbuy Features - Like moths to a flame, people are drawn to cardiovascular execise equipment that has every conceivable readout and calculation. These gadgets often go unused, though, so they may not be the best place to spend your money.

Don't Skimp on the Basics - Sturdy construction and smooth, quiet operation are what matter most. For example, with treadmills, good deck cushioning and stability are key factors to look for.

Avoid Fast or Sight-Unseen Purchasing - Almost any treadmill feels fine during the first few minutes. Only when doing a longer workout will you notice things like excessive vibration and noise. For cardio fitness machines, spend at least 20 minutes trying different programs, for strength fitness equipment, do a set of 10 repetitions.

Don't Ignore the Top of the Line - If you don't try the best fitness equipment first, you won't know what quality features to look for. Florez advises staying away from infomercial products or other low-price equipment. A store specializing in exercise equipment is probably the best place to start your search. It's not a bad idea to stick to name brands you've used at fitness clubs - a manufacturer's quality often carries over into home models.

Don't Overestimate Your Abilities - An exercise or movement that looks easy on TV may not work for you. For example, ski machines with independent upper and lower-body motions may offer an outstanding cardio workout, but they also require a high level of concentration and coordination. People are less likely to use fitness machines that have a high learning curve. When purchasing a strength training machine, look for one with simple procedures for changing weights. If adjusting the weight isn't mind-numbingly simple, you're likely not to do it!

Don't Limit Your Options - Although treadmills are extremely popular and reliable, elliptical trainers also provide functional movement with lots of variety. Stationary bikes - both upright and recumbent - are rebounding in popularity. Stair steppers or stairmasters, rowing machines, home gyms and equipment for exercise based on the work of Joseph Pilates are additional options.

Don't Ignore Your Personal Comfort - Make sure the rowing machine you are thinking of buying doesn't put too many demands on your back. If you are looking at treadmills and are overweight or have orthopedic concerns, check for sturdy handrails, gradual pace changes and structural integrity. Look for a home gym that will adjust to your body height and size.

Don't Believe Everything You Hear - Some fitness products that sound great on infomercials have limited effectiveness. Abdominal exercise devices, for example, don't really offer any results beyond those achieved by doing abdominal exercises without equipment. (However, the devices can provide some head and neck support, if they fit your body size properly.)

Don't Go It Alone - Ask questions of other exercisers and fitness professionals, as well as equipment representatives. Before buying, find out about equipment delivery, setup, warranties and return policies.

Don't Overlook the Little Things - Not all effective exercise equipment needs assembly and takes a lot of space. Heart rate monitors are highly recommended by many personal trainers. Fitness balls, bands, tubing and exercise videos can also add safety, creativity comfort and variety to your activity program. The best investment of all may well be the least expensive--a water bottle!

This handout is a service of IDEA , the leading international membership organization in the health and fitness industry