What is the right piece of home exercise equipment for you?
by Jeff Clutter
Director, West Penn Fitness Equipment Inc.
email: jclutter@westpennfitness.com
Phone: 724-263-7157
That is the million dollar question…what is the best piece of equipment for
you to get in shape? To lose weight? To get stronger? Unfortunately there
isn’t one answer. But there is one common denominator…the best piece of
equipment is the piece you will use!! Whether it is a treadmill, elliptical, bike,
stairclimber, or home gym, it all depends on whether you use it or not. Each
type of equipment has its pros and cons, and what fits your needs and
capabilities may well end up dictating your fitness progress. Below is a brief
overview of some of the most popular types of fitness equipment, and how
they may or may not fit your fitness needs.
Treadmills: Treadmills are still the most popular type of exercise equipment
today. Walking and running have been staple exercises for years, and having
the convenience to walk or run at home, with no weather to contend with, no
potholes or vehicles to worry about, makes them attractive to all ages and
fitness levels. Put a treadmill (or any piece of cardio equipment) in front of a TV
or near a radio, and time flies while you are exercising! Still, many people
prefer to be outside and enjoy nature, no matter what the weather. In the
end, the ease of use, and natural feel to be walking or running, make the
treadmill an ideal choice for most everyone.
Ellipticals: Elliptical trainers are a new equipment category created in the past
10 years. Designed initially as commercial products only, better quality retail
models have made them more affordable for the home. Elliptical trainers are a
cross between a ski machine and a stairclimber, with an oval, “elliptical” leg
motion consistant in most models. Most models also have upperbody
movement, or arms, which make the exercise that much more effective.
Anytime you can get the upper and lower body moving at the same time, you
will get your heart rate up that much quicker, and theoretically burn more
calories!!
Retail ellipticals are generally smaller than their health club brethren, making
them popular in smaller apartments or homes. Because of the ease of use, not
to mention the ease on the knees and ankles, ellipticals are probably second
only to treadmills in popularity of cardio equipment. They are great for all
fitness levels, and should provide ample workout for the deconditioned user,
or the seasoned athlete.
Bikes: Bikes will always be a staple in any gym or health club, and because of
familiarity and space efficiency, they will always be popular for the home as
well. There are generally two types of bikes…upright, which most of us are
accustomed to, and recumbent, which has gained popularity in the past 10
years as well. Recumbent bikes have a seat with a back pad, and the pedals
are out in front of the user, like a “chopper”, as opposed to underneath the
user, like the traditional upright bike. Recumbent bike seats are usually more
comfortable than most upright bikes, which should allow the user to stay on it
longer. Riding a bike in front of the TV can be a totally mindless experience,
and pass the time faster than you can say Oprah! Bikes are also popular with
all ages and fitness levels, and will continue to be popular in all exercise circles.
Stairclimbers: Once the darling of the 1980’s and early 90’s, the stairclimber
has evolved to become one of the least popular pieces of exercise equipment
for the home. This doesn’t mean that stairclimbers are bad for you!! It is just
that the fitness market has changed, and the user is getting older. There are
more babyboomers trying to get fit, more people over the age of 60 working
out for the first time in their lives. Stairclimbers tend to be a more aggressive
exercise, and therefore has maintained more of a younger, core following. No
doubt, the stairclimber will burn calories quickly. But those with knee and ankle
problems (not to mention back problems) will tell you that they can’t use the
stairclimbers, or stay on one very long. But if you want to lose weight a little
quicker, get into shape a little faster, the stairclimber might be for you.
Home Gyms: Home gyms (and free weights) are the fastest growing segment
of the fitness equipment market. To be able to do all the same exercises that
you do at the gym, all in one area in your home, is a big draw. Home gyms
today have become more compact, and easier to use and understand. The
benefits of lifting weights and adding strength training to any workout
program, can be enjoyed by all ages, including young and old. New medical
studies come out every day promoting getting stronger, gaining stronger bone
density, to aid in the aging process. Weight stack machines are increasingly
popular over the bands and resistance-type gyms, and offer a variety of
exercises that duplicate individual, commercial weight machines. Children as
young as 13-14 are being introduced to weight training through home gyms,
and babyboomers see them as a way to hopefully prolong quality of life.
Accessories: Some of the most popular accessories include fitness balls,
resistance bands, medicine balls and pedometers. Fitness balls are great for
stretching exercises, abs and back exercises, even dumbbell work. Bands have
been popular in rehabs for years, and are finally gaining mainstream
acceptance in health clubs and in homes. Medicine balls have always been
popular with athletes, including boxers, and are available in a variety of
different weights to accommodate all fitness levels. Pedometers have been
popular with the so-called “mall walkers” for a while, but are popping up on
people’s waistbands in the workplace and on the streets.
Although these are just some of the types of exercise equipment available to
the home user, they are the most popular. The key to finding the right piece of
equipment for you is to simply find the piece that you will stick with. There is
no magical piece that will get you fitter than another. The one you use will be
the one that works.
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Click here see more pictures.
This equipment is available at West Penn Fitness Equipment Inc.
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