Personal Best Health Wellness - Home Exercise Machines

People serious about getting regular aerobic workouts sooner or later will consider owning a home exercise machine, or buying a new one. Here are some factors to consider before you invest.

• What's good about them? They're always nearby, ready to supplement your club or outdoor workouts, no matter what the weather.
• What's not so good? They require space in your home. And they can be expensive (but often cheaper than a club membership).
• Fitness benefits: Any machine designed for aerobic exercise offers you the ability to burn calories, tone muscle, reduce body fat and strengthen your cardiovascular system.
• What's most popular? Treadmills top the list, probably because walking and jogging are the most common exercises. If you plan to jog or run, we recommend a motorized model with a wide track; they can be pricey.
• For a less costly machine, stair climbers, ski simulators, rowers, gliders, and upright and recumbent bikes remain favorites.
• What about strength training? You'll find a wide range of "home gym" machines, which are gaining popularity.
• A newer, popular option is the "elliptical" machine, a combination exercycle-ski machine-stairclimber that provides both upper and lower body workouts.
• Sales of home exercise equipment increased by 78% between 1994 and 1999, according to industry surveys.
• Do people use them after they buy them? According to surveyed readers of Consumer Reports, of 8,000 exercise machines purchased between 1994 and 1998, only a quarter of them were being used at survey time.
• Don't buy any machine until you've had a chance to take long test rides and study several options.
• About infomercial exercise equipment: Be wary of exaggerated ("effortless") claims — many of the TV offerings deliver unsatisfactory design and few benefits. Again, don't buy until you try.
• All machines should be sturdy, move smoothly, fit your size, have adjustable speed or tension, have extras you really want, and have a warranty and service plan.
• Cost goes up with sturdiness, perhaps the most important feature.