How to Buy Exercise (Circuit exercise equipment) Equipment

January 22nd, 2008

Tip! Know your self, as well as your body. Whether you purchased it in a store, or holding a gleaming member’s card, gym exercise equipment is the next best thing since the home-made dumbbells and barbells out of cement on a pair of large milk cans and a metal water pipe.

Selecting a new piece of exercise equipment can be daunting because there are so many possibilities. Before you buy, investigate the resources that are readily available to you. If your office building or neighborhood has an exercise room or program, check it out and try the equipment. Ask your friends what they do. Visit a YMCA, commercial gym, community college or any other nearby facility that offers classes or memberships. Make notes on everything that is available and what appeals to you. DON’T give in to high pressure sales people to buy equipment or memberships until you know exactly what you want.

Tip! Some people prefer yoga or Pilates as their main workout. Each of these activities has their own set of exercise equipment as well.

There are lots of advantages to having exercise equipment in your own home. You can exercise whenever it’s convenient, in any weather. You never have to wait in line. You have privacy — a real plus if you’re embarrassed about your weight or lack of fitness. You can watch television or listen to music while you exercise.

But good exercise equipment can be expensive. Make sure you know just what you want before you buy. If you have access to a health club or gym, try out the pieces that interest you. It’s best to work through the first several weeks of a new exercise program on someone else’s machine just to make sure you’re comfortable, can master the movements and — hopefully — enjoy the activity. That way you’re less likely to end up with an expensive clothes hanger.

Tip! When it comes to abs exercise equipment, I don’t have any. I prefer to do all my exercises without machine interference.

Once you’ve settled on the type of machine you want, find a store that carries several different models displayed so you can try them out. Remember that health clubs buy extremely heavy-duty equipment; many machines built for home use are lightweight and poorly constructed. If you buy a machine that doesn’t move smoothly, rattles and shakes, or fails to give you the range of resistance you need, you won’t enjoy your workout. You don’t necessarily need to buy the most expensive machine — you can do without all the electronic gadgetry. But do buy the sturdiest, smoothest-operating model you can afford.

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Tip! There are several other types of exercise equipment available that can prove beneficial to our health as well. A popular piece of equipment these days is the exercise ball.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

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