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10 Common
Mistakes
Purchasing exercise
equipment can be a tough
task. Here are the most
common mistakes made when
buying fitness equipment,
and how to avoid them.
Purchasing Exercise
Equipment
Avoid making these common
mistakes and save money!
The right home workout
system 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 & fitness
equipment company, cautions
against 10 common mistakes.
-
Don't Overbuy Features
on Exercise Equipment.
Like moths to a flame,
people are drawn to
cardiovascular
exercising 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.
-
Fitness
Equipment...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
cardiovascular fitness
equipment, spend at
least 20 minutes trying
different programs, for
strength equipment, do a
set of 10 repetitions.
-
Don't Ignore Exercise
Equipment at 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 fitness
equipment is probably
the best place to start
your search.
It's
not a bad idea to stick to
brands you've used at health
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
exercise equipment that
have a high learning
curve.
When purchasing fitness equipment for strength training, 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, rowing
machines, home gyms and
fitness 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
About Exercise Equipment
You Hear.
Some fitness equipment
that sounds 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 fitness equipment
representatives. Before
buying, find out about
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!
If your interested in buying
your own home equipment, we
recommend you follow this
link for expert opinions and
reviews of
home fitness equipment.
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