| Statistics at the time of writing indicated that over | | | | Treadmills |
| two thirds of the UK population are overweight | | | | Treadmills are one of the most versatile pieces of |
| (slightly more in America). The media and the | | | | fitness equipment on the market; they are ideal for |
| Governments are pushing fitness and healthy | | | | family use and offer a balanced and easily adjustable |
| lifestyles but what exactly should you do if you want | | | | exercise regime that improves all round fitness as |
| to make the switch? | | | | well as increasing the health and effectiveness of |
| I believe the first step that you have to take is a | | | | your heart. Walking and running are widely regarded |
| mental one; there is no point in trying to get into | | | | as one of the most natural and effective forms of |
| shape for all the wrong reasons. Wanting a good | | | | exercise and by purchasing an adjustable speed |
| physique may be the push behind media attention but | | | | treadmill you can have access to both at any time. |
| there are many other advantages to using your body | | | | The great thing about treadmills is that many come |
| to its full potential such as a longer life and general | | | | with a folding option so you can have a versatile |
| feeling of well being. If you have made the decision | | | | piece of fitness equipment without loosing half a |
| to read this article I am assuming that you have also | | | | room. |
| made the decision that you want to get a little fitter. | | | | Weights |
| Hopefully you can use this information to complete | | | | Weights are one of the oldest and most conventional |
| your goal. | | | | forms of exercise. They are great for toning certain |
| We should look at the basics first. Before you do any | | | | muscles (essentially upper body and arms) but do not |
| exercise you need to make the decision of whether | | | | really add much benefit for those looking to loose |
| you will attend a gym or buy your own fitness | | | | weight. A good fitness strategy for both men and |
| equipment. Expense wise there is really no advantage | | | | women is to combine them with other forms of |
| one way or another since prices and membership | | | | exercise, eg. Jogging with body weights or aerobics |
| fees are always changing. I recommend that you | | | | with small hand weights. This will increase your |
| shop around yourselves if you are really going to get | | | | stamina as well as strengthening you muscles. |
| into fitness but if you are a new starter and want | | | | Weights are relatively cheap and small in comparison |
| something to get you going, picking up a cheaper, | | | | to most exercise equipment so they are ideal |
| but good quality piece of equipment may be the best | | | | "second purchase" for your home gym. |
| step before you go splashing out on a years gym | | | | Trampolines |
| membership. There are lots of types of fitness | | | | Trampolining is a fun, modern way to exercise and is |
| equipment out there so I will give you a helpful | | | | especially effective a burning off calories. Trampolines |
| rundown of what each machine could do for you. | | | | need plenty of room in a outdoor environment but |
| Rowing Machine | | | | the huge range around at the moment means you |
| Rowing machines are a great choice for all round | | | | can easily pick up a safe, foldable trampoline from 8 |
| results. They help increase cardio strength, burn fat | | | | to 14 foot. You can also pick up a cheap fitness |
| and add tone/definition. Rowers are also great for | | | | trampoline for indoors but this will not be quite as |
| strengthening knee, hip and ankle joints as this is | | | | much fun. Trampolines are also great for the family |
| where the load is placed during exercise. Modern | | | | and provides you kids with a great way to do their |
| rowers incorporate resistance adjustment so that | | | | own exercise. |
| you can create a workout specifically for your level | | | | Commercial Gyms |
| of fitness. Rowing machines tend to come in the low | | | | As mentioned before the cost of one piece of |
| to average fitness equipment cost, you will probably | | | | fitness equipment against the cost of gym |
| find a good quality rower for between £100-200 | | | | membership can be a difficult decision to make. One |
| with very high quality home ones reaching around | | | | thing to keep in mind is how accessible your fitness |
| £600 giving it another quality for being a 'basic' | | | | equipment will be. If it's in your house can you easily |
| piece of fitness equipment for you to get started on. | | | | get it out and have a few hours or will you be |
| Rowing machines are one of the best pieces of | | | | unmotivated to clear a room to actually use it? If |
| fitness equipment for a smaller how as they have | | | | you join a gym will you actually visit? Or will you |
| folding options. This massively reduces the storage | | | | slowly decide you have more and more important |
| space needed and means you won't loose too much | | | | things to do. |
| room when you're not using it. | | | | There are benefits to becoming a gym member; you |
| Elliptical Cross Trainers | | | | will have access to specialists at most gyms who can |
| Elliptical trainers come in many shapes and sizes but | | | | fully instruct you on how to use all the different kinds |
| all; essentially, work your body in the same way. By | | | | of fitness equipment located within as well as handing |
| using an elliptical trainer you will benefit from | | | | out tips and advice for your own health. An often |
| cardiovascular and strength training, specifically | | | | overlooked disadvantage centres on how you |
| targeting the lower body and arms. The elliptical | | | | interact with people. If you are someone who is very |
| movement will also assist in improving balance and | | | | self conscious attending a gym may not be the best |
| co-ordination making it a great choice for both new | | | | idea, some can be very busy and often filled with |
| and experienced users. Elliptical training is also a great | | | | people who may, in comparison, appear much fitter |
| low impact calorie burning exercise and would be | | | | than you. While it is always advisable to hold you |
| perfect for people trying to loose weight in between | | | | head high in life and be proud of yourself and body, |
| a hectic lifestyle. One downside of the elliptical trainer | | | | you should not suffer a motivation blow because of |
| category is that they do tend to need plenty of | | | | the people you are exercising with, if you feel you |
| room to be used correctly.A beginner's guide to | | | | may experience such feelings purchasing your own |
| fitness equipment. | | | | fitness equipment may be a more preferable path. |