Home Exercise Machines: Choosing the Equipment that’s Right for You

Tom Rooney

There is so much to choose from when looking for home exercise machines that it’s easy to get overwhelmed. While the idea of having a large variety of equipment sound great for variety, most people do not have the budget (or space) for more than one or two items in their home. The following information outlines the different types of home exercise equipment and will help you decide what is right for you.

Home Aerobic Equipment

• Treadmills. Treadmills are made for running or walking. Many people choose treadmills for their home exercise machine because they are versatile. Most machines allow the user to adjust speed and incline and many have preset programs to allow the users to get a varied workout.

• Elliptical Machines. Elliptical machines use a motion very similar to walking or running but without the impact of a treadmill. Good elliptical machines are great for people just starting out but have the ability to increase intensity and difficulty as users need more from their home exercise machine.

• Exercise Bikes. Another popular home exercise machine is the exercise bike. These are especially great for people who do not like the joint impact of treadmills and are a wonderful starting point for people who are overweight or who have little previous cardiovascular exercise experience. People who like the idea of a bike but need more support for their lower back may want to look into a recumbent cycle for their home exercise machine.

• Rowing Machines. Rowing machines offer a great cardiovascular workout and have the added benefit of giving the entire body a workout. This home exercise machine doesn’t target just one area of the body – users must use all muscle groups to “row”. Another great benefit of rowing machines is that they do not take up a lot of room.

• Ski Machines. Another home exercise machine that gives a complete body workout is the cross country ski machine. They give a fantastic workout to anyone who can master the movements – it does take some practice to get the right rhythm and offer a challenging workout.

Home Resistance Equipment

Some people also want the resistance equipment necessary to build and maintain muscles. There are many options when it comes to home resistance equipment.

• Free Weights. Free weights are very versatile and often easy to store when not in use. The key to getting the most out of free weights, however, is to know how to use them to get a full body workout.

• Weight Machines. There are many different types of home weight machines. They often offer programs along with them for the user to follow to get a full body workout on the machines.

• Exercise Balls. Exercise balls or fitness balls can offer variety to any workout routine and often add a low impact option to weight lifting by incorporating the home fitness equipment with using you own muscles as resistance.

When sifting through all of the options for home exercise machines, the best thing to do is go to the store and try all of the different kinds to find out which one fits your needs the best.