Which Type of Home Gym Exercise Equipment Is Right For You?
April 25, 2011 | 
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When it comes to getting fit, buying home gym exercise equipment is one of the biggest expenses you will incur. Before you make that investment, it is important to know which type of equipment will best help you to reach your fitness goals. This post will give you a brief overview of the main types of cardio equipment in order to make sure you get the best machine for your at home cardio workouts.
There are five major types of equipment that are the most popular for home gym use. These are the stationary bike, the treadmill, the rowing machine, the elliptical trainer, and the stair climber.
The stationary bike is a popular piece of equipment for beginning exercisers. It offers non-weight-bearing exercise which makes it easier for people who have not exercised in a long time, and for whom walking or running may cause problems. You won’t burn as many calories on a stationary bike, but it will give your legs a good workout as well as your heart.
There are two types of stationary bike: upright and recumbent. The upright models are similar in movement to riding a regular outdoor bike. The recumbent bike has a bucket-type seat with the pedals stretched out in front, and is better for people who suffer from back pain. You can read more about the difference between upright and recumbent bikes here.
The treadmill is probably the most recognizable and most popular piece of home gym exercise equipment. It allows you to walk, jog, or run indoors and get your workout in regardless of the weather. Not only is it an ideal way to get your cardio workout in every day (and you should be doing at least 30 minutes of cardio every day), some experts believe that the cushioned surface of the treadmill is actually better for your joints than walking outdoors because it acts as a shock absorber.
As an alternative to the treadmill, the elliptical trainer is another popular choice. It allows you to simulate the movement of running without the negative effects on your knees. Since your feet never leave the pedals, some have compared the feeling of movement on the elliptical trainer to that of “running on a cloud.” If you are not used to running, it’s a great way to move from walking to running without the pounding your knees would take if you were to run on either a treadmill, or outdoors on the pavement.
The final piece of equipment that focuses solely on the lower body is the stair climber. If you’re a glutton for punishment and want a really tough workout that tones your entire lower half, then this is the machine for you. Stair climbers come with either dependent or independent stepping mechanisms, and if you’re a beginner the dependent version is probably best for you. Although with all cardio equipment and exercise routines you should consult your doctor before beginning, this is an especially important step before using a stair climber, especially if you have any type of knee or joint issues.
The final piece of equipment to talk about is the rowing machine. I left it to last because unlike the other machines we’ve talked about so far, the rowing machine gives you a total body workout. Rowing machines not only give your legs a good workout, they also work your arms, shoulders, chest and back. For this reason, they are not as popular as the other cardio machines. If you decide to use a rowing machine, pay extra attention to how your back feels. If you suffer from any type of back problems, it’s probably wise to steer clear of a rowing machine, and even if you have a healthy back you’ll want to make sure you don’t overdo it.
Take the time to decide which machine is right for you and will best help you achieve your fitness goals. Getting the right equipment that you will enjoy using is an important part of your overall fitness strategy, because if you don’t like it you won’t use it. We’ve all heard the stories of treadmills exercise bikes that have been turned into clothes hangers. Knowing that you’ve done your research and purchased the machine best suited to your life and your goals will go along way toward ensuring that your home gym exercise equipment doesn’t become just another dust collector.
Posted in Cardio Equipment | 
Tags: at home cardio workouts, cardio equipment, elliptical trainer, home gym exercise equipment, rowing machine, stair climber, stationary bike, treadmill | 
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Upright Exercise Bikes vs Recumbent Exercise Bikes
Which should you choose?
If you are looking for a low stress, low impact workout at home, then an exercise bike may be the best cardio exercise machine for you. This is especially true if you have any sort of knee problems that could be made worse by the impact of walking or running on a treadmill. When you ride an exercise bike, it allows you to work your leg muscles without putting too much pressure on them.
There are two main types of exercise bikes that you can choose from depending on the results you are looking for.
The upright exercise bike is still the most common variety. This version is most like a regular bike where you sit on the seat with your legs extended downward and pedal as you would if you were riding outside.
One of the biggest complaints about riding upright exercise bikes is that they cause lower back pain. The recumbent exercise bike was created to address this shortcoming. Instead of sitting up as on a normal bike, on a recumbent bike the user sits in a reclining position with their legs in front of them. This position makes the recumbent bike a better choice for anyone with back pain.
Whichever type of exercise bike you choose, you will be giving yourself an excellent piece of cardio exercise equipment, and a great lower body workout.
Posted in Cardio Equipment | Tags: cardio equipment, exercise bikes, recumbent exercise bikes | Comments Closed
The Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill: Good for Fitness Newbies and Veterans Alike
Whether you are a fitness newbie or an experienced athlete, the Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill is one piece of cardio exercise equipment you can use to achieve your fitness goals. With fifteen workout programs to choose from, this treadmill has enough variety to keep even the most jaded exerciser from being bored.
The Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill has a variety of features in addition to its workout programs. As someone with heart issues, I appreciate options such as the heart strength/recovery test and the monitoring system that can track my heart rate while I’m exercising. The cushioning system used on the deck is also a big plus for my out-of-shape legs and feet.
Bowflex has a good reputation as a maker of home fitness equipment. The popularity of their home gym systems and treadclimber machines instills confidence in buyers. Another excellent indicator of the quality of this product is the high ranking that Consumer Reports gave the Series 7 Treadmill in its review of folding treadmills.
One drawback to the Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill is its weight. Although it’s classified as a folding treadmill, at a weight of just under 300 pounds, I’m not sure how feasible it really is to fold it up and move it around. It is a large machine as well, and probably not for apartment dwellers, unless your apartment is a lot bigger than mine! As far as price goes, the Series 7 falls in the middle of the range of most high quality home treadmills.
If you have the room for it, the general consensus is that the Bowflex Series 7 Treadmill is an excellent machine. Taking advantage of Amazon.com’s 35 percent savings and free shipping options will help to save you a nice chunk of change.