Choosing and Using Exercise Equipment

"I'm tired!" "I have a long day!" "Too many things to do and not enough time." "I have no time to go to the gym and workout." These are some very common feelings expressed among the working population. For this very reason, homes are being transformed into fitness centers in hope to make the workout a little more convenient. To meet this growing market, manufactures have abundantly produced home exercise equipment in hope to meet the demand. The choices available for home exercise equipment are vast and often confusing. Unfortunately, it is easy to buy into a scam or a piece of equipment that could potentially cause more damage than good. Thus, it is important to consider several aspects when purchasing any type of exercise equipment.

Questions to Ask

Will the equipment help me meet my goals?
Your goals should not be based solely on the advertising of a particular model. Cutting flab or trimming the waste line are often ãquackä statements that will leave you disappointed. Beware of calorie-burning claims. A reasonably fit person will burn 400-600 calories/hour with aerobic exercise.

Wear comfortable clothes to the store and put the machine to your own test. It should feel sturdy and durable. Note any noises or abnormalities and ask the salesperson why this is occurring.

Is it comfortable?
Regardless of how well the equipment is made, if you don't feel comfortable you won't use it. Pay attention to how your joints, lower back, and muscles feel. The seat should be comfortable for long workouts. Handles and bars should be padded. Finally, note the ease of using the controls and adjustments. Are they accessible?

What type is best?
Test each type of equipment and choose the one that feels the best. Some equipment works arms and legs, but that might not be comfortable to you. Since you are going to be the one using it, make sure it doesnât cause your discomfort.

Do I have room for it?
If you have to store or disassemble the equipment, it will only deter from its use.

What's the best deal?
Expect to spend at least a few hundred dollars. The lower expense models are usually basic. When the cost increases, so do the features that are available. Some machines will measure heart rate, calories burned, time elapsed while also offering programmed workouts.

Does the company have a service department?
Know that there is no perfect product. Thus, research into the manufacture that produces the line of equipment you wish to purchase. Manufactures should ensure quality control in the building and servicing of their products. This includes prompt and professional service. Ask the salesperson these important questions regarding service:

1. Who will service the product? Will the service be in house or by contract?
2. Have you had any problems with X model? What types of problems?
3. How long will it take for the service department to respond?

Consider what the exercise equipment will do to your body. If it states that it works your ãabs,ä then what does it do for your lower back? If it claims to increase your ãpecsä consider the stress it will place on your rotator cuff. These are difficult answers to discover on your own and that is when you can seek outside opinions of those in the health profession. The staff at the KSC Fitness Center or RehabWorks would be glad to help.