Here are some important things to keep in mind before deciding on the best fitness machine for your needs:
- What are your fitness goals?
- Do you have any mobility limitations?
- What kind of space do you have available?
- What kind of workouts do you enjoy?
Choosing a fitness machine that you enjoy using can be a daunting decision. No worries, we’re here to help. We’ll break down the different options and explain why they may or may not be the right choice for you. Here are some of the classic options:
- Treadmill
- Stationary Bike
- Cross Trainer
- Rowing Machine
- Home Gym/ Free Weights
- Stationary bike
Treadmill: The treadmill is a staple when it comes to home fitness machines. It is great for exercisers of any fitness level and is usable with minimal expertise. The Treadmill is ideal for lower body and cardiovascular conditioning making it ideal for users that want to focus on those areas. It can be a good all-around choice for exercisers because it can accommodate users with many different fitness goals. Whether want to try an incline walk or a sprint, treadmills have flexible programming options. Running on the treadmill has a higher impact on the knees than other exercise machines, if you’re someone with bad knees, you may want to try another machine a lower impact option.
Exercise bike: The stationary bike has the lowest impact of all workout machines. This means it is an excellent piece of equipment for someone with knee pain or someone recovering from a knee injury. It is important to make sure the bike’s height is set to the proper height, so your knees aren’t being strained by poor placement. Another bonus of the stationary bike, it has a small footprint and doesn’t take up much floor space, making it perfect for someone creating a home gym in a small space.
The stationary bike is a lower body exercise and doesn’t give you much of an opportunity to get an upper body workout. If you’re looking to tone your arms, you may want to try something like a rowing machine or cross trainer.
Cross Trainer: Cross trainers offers users a full body workout by engaging both the arms and legs while in a standing position. It offers a lower impact on the knees than Treadmill’s while keeping the user vertical. They are generally quiet machines making them perfect if you live in an apartment. The cross trainer can mimic a range of different exercises, from a leisurely walk to a gruelling climb, all of which will increase your cardiovascular endurance.
Rowing Machine: The rowing machine is next to none when it comes to burning calories. It is an intense workout that requires core, back, arm and leg engagement. Rowing machines require users to have their entire body moving rhythmically. This may make the rowing machine more difficult with people beginning their fitness journey. Additionally, if you have a bad back, other machines may be more enjoyable, because rowing motion can be uncomfortable. Another perk that comes along with the rowing machine is its sleek design makes it easy to store if your limited-on workout space.
Home gym/ Free weights: If cardio isn’t your thing, you might want to consider a home gym or free weights. The home gym is great if your fitness goals are gaining muscle. Weight lifting also boosts your metabolism and strengthens bone density. Home gyms take up more space, so if your area is limited, you may want to opt for dumbbells and a workout bench.
There is a lot to take into consideration when picking the perfect fitness machine. But the number one thing to keep in mind is what kind of exercise you find the most enjoyable. Once that is decided, everything will fall into place. If you need more hands-on help or want to try a fitness machine yourself, head to one of our showrooms and our experienced sales associates can give you all the information you need to make an informed decision.