Posts Tagged equipment

Buying Guide For In-Home Cardio Machines

Friday, January 27th, 2012 | Permalink

Aerobic exercises or cardio are an integral component to any weight management program. Adults need 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week or half of that duration for vigorous-intensity aerobic activity.

If you want to start a weight loss or maintenance program but you don’t want to enroll in a fitness club, consider buying a cardio machine so you can exercise at home. These cardio machines are a collection of different types of training equipment which facilitate aerobic conditioning and weight loss. These include standing cardio equipment such as treadmills, stair steppers, and elliptical machines; and seated cardio equipment such as stationary bicycles and rowing machines. There are also those that combine two different kinds of exercise equipment into one unit, such as elliptical-stationary bike combos.

All of those aforementioned are effective tools. Then again, it can be costly to purchase all of them. Evaluating your fitness personality, that is which exercise routines you prefer or feel are more effective for you, will assist you in finding the best option for you. For example, if you love walking or going for a jog, buying a treadmill may be worth considering. But if you want no-impact activities, get an elliptical trainer or bike instead.

You also have to establish a budget. Cardio machines are not exactly cheap. The price range is wide, from 100 dollar to 4,000 dollar. By establishing how much you are comfortable to shell out ahead of time, you will be able to limit your options and prevent yourself from overspending unnecessarily. Furthermore, you have to identify which features you are ready to spend additional money for. For example, some of these aerobic machines have heart rate, speed, and resistance displays and syncing capabilities. Just remember not to be too penny-pinching to the extent of overlooking safety features such as handrails, safety switches for motorized ones, and chain guards.

Furthermore, you have to consider the equipment’s footprint. Aerobic machines tend to take up a lot of space. If you have a small room, look for folding aerobic machines so you can put them away if you are not using them. Just remember to get those with sturdy frames, have good stability, as well as easy to fold and move.

Also, it would be best try the equipment out to evaluate for ease of use and smoothness of operation. If it matters to you, also check if it runs quietly. Make sure as well to get those with adjustable resistance.

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