Choosing Your Home Fitness Equipment

Advanced Fitness Newsletter
Information for a Healthy Life
http://www.advancedfitness.com

March 7, 2000 1999 Issue 8

IN THIS ISSUE:

- Choosing Your Home Fitness Equipment
- Best Home-Training Tips

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Choosing Your Home Fitness Equipment
By Yvonne T. Cruz

As a Certified Personal Fitness Trainer, I am often asked, "What is the best equipment available to workout at home?" Before you buy anything, ask yourself the following questions:

1. What machines have I tried and liked? No matter how great the machine is, if you don't like to bike, row, step, etc. you will not use it.

2. Who will use the equipment? If children are involved, safety features are a must.

3. What goals must the machine serve? Will you use it to complement your exercise program at the gym or do you want a full home gym that will give you a full workout?

4. Do you have any physical limitations? If you have knee or back injuries, you need a machine that allows lower resistance. Always check with your physician.

5. Will you be working alone or with a trainer? Free weights and home gym systems are excellent but require supervision for safety if you are a beginner.

6. How much space do you have? If space is an issue, a portable or space saving piece of equipment might be appropriate.

7. What's your budget? Plan ahead. If you think you will be adding equipment and end up with a small gym, buy top of the line for durability, safety and extra features.

As you get in shape, your home gym equipment needs to be able to accommodate your changing needs.

So, you've decided what you want. But what features should you look for? The following are some considerations for a few popular types of equipment.

STATIONARY BIKES

The seat should be padded and adjustable. A bike with moveable handles helps you get a total workout. Recumbent bikes are good for low back problems.

STAIRCLIMBERS

Be sure it is solid and stable and has a smooth stepping action. Stairclimbers with independent foot action give you a better workout. Again, those with arm levers are also very good for increasing intensity.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIERS

Should have a solid construction, independent arm-lever action and a smooth sliding action. The machines with bi-directional resistance are easier to use than the fly-wheel/pulley type units.

TREADMILLS

Get a quality unit. It should have 1.5 horsepower or more and the deck size (minimum 25" wide and 65" long) should accommodate your walking/running stride.

BENCHES AND FREE WEIGHTS

I have a multi-purpose incline bench with a 110-pound weight set and add-on capacity. A leg extension/leg curl would be beneficial. Be sure it is sturdy.

MULTIGYMS

There are a wide variety of multigyms. Shop carefully and find the right gym for your needs. Sometimes, in order to save space by having a vertical bench press, you will end up with a less than comfortable standing leg curl. Be sure the machine is sturdy and has the stations that you prefer.

Whatever type of equipment you choose, it must be something that you enjoy and that will complement your exercise program. Above all, be sure you are using the equipment properly for maximal benefits.

--Yvonne T. Cruz is a Personal Fitness Trainer and Wellness Consultant. For expert advice in developing and implementing a fitness and wellness program, contact Yvonne at
yvonnetcruz@hotmail.com, or at 954-435-3639. Yvonne also writes for FitnessLink (http://www.fitnesslink.com)

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Best Home-Training Tips
By Garrett J. Braunreiter, CSCS, The Energy Coach

Many people do not like the health club atmosphere. Too intimidating, embarrassing, crowded, loud, etc. And, of course, there are those who can't get to the gym because it's too far away, there isn't one in your town, or because of cold and snowy weather.

This article is for you.

You can still get "health club" results working out at home if you follow these simple guidelines:

* Make A Workout Appointment

Think about it: you go to your doctor to get better, right? You're doing the same thing with your workouts. Hey, you'll even get THAT much better, that your trips to the doctor are reduced significantly. Wouldn't that be nice?

Economics is the biggest difference when it comes to working out at home or working out at a gym. You pay for a membership, and if you don't go, that's money out the window.

How about this idea: every time you work out at home, put $5 in a jar. That's about the cost of a one-day pass at a club (many charge $10). At the end of the month, cash in the jar and reward yourself for the workouts you managed to make (ALL of them, right?)! Even if it's $1, that ends up being $25 a month, $5 gives you around $120. Invest it, get yourself a massage, get a new outfit, whatever - as long as it isn't food (dessert) related. Cha-ching!

* Work Out By Yourself Or With A Serious Training Partner

It really isn't such a hot idea to let your family or friends watch you work out - eventually they'll shatter your mood or sabotage your training with sarcastic comments like, "I think I'm gonna go grab a snack," and even eat it in front of you!

You don't need that.

Eliminate conversation from anyone, so you can focus and keep up the pace. If you're having company, make sure your workout is done before or after. All of these distractions also increase your risk of injury, so it's necessary to avoid them altogether. How about even taking the phone off the hook!

Your serious training partner must be virtually a clone of you. Has your drive, determination, and focus. Health and fitness must be as much as a priority to your partner as it is to you. That way both of you keep each other going, giving support where needed.

* Create A Gym Environment

If you can manage to designate a room in your home for just training, make it LOOK like a gym. Buy some comfortable exercise mats, rather than exercising on a cold, concrete floor. Put up motivational posters such as the ones you find at Successories, or before and after pictures to remind you of how you want to look (and how you don't).

* Use Full-Length Mirrors

Very important to check out technique and evaluate your progress. Beware, some mirrors will distort your physique - so pick a good quality mirror. You get what you pay for.

No, you're not narcissistic just because you're looking at yourself. You're making sure you're doing things correctly, safely, and effectively. What's wrong with that?

You're in a program to get in shape, so how will you know how well you're doing if you can't see the results? Be proud of the fruits of your labor.

Call it what you like, but it's a good thing to feel good about yourself and how you look.

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personal growth tips EVERY DAY.

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