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Have a go at these:- 1. How much do you want to spend? This is obviously a big one. You have to justify to yourself (and maybe your family) the amount you're about to commit to achieving your goal. How much you spend can also be a factor in whether you'll succeed.
Cheap home fitness equipment is usually less durable and may often break down outside of its warranty and therefore cost you more in the long run. We suggest spending a bit more to get equipment with a good warranty for peace of mind. You should look for at least a two year warranty on cheaper equipment and five years and above on more expensive equipment. If you're budget is less than £200 your choice is limited to either an exercise bike or elliptical cross trainer. For this price any treadmill, vibration trainer or rowing machine isn't going to be up to much unless you buy second hand - see our guide on how to buy used fitness equipment for more help on this. 2. How much room do you have? Another important point! You need to know that the fitness equipment you buy is going to fit through your front door and then be practical to use either as a permanent fixture or be easy to fold up and store out of the way. Always check the boxed, folded and fully assembled dimensions before you buy. An exercise bike takes up the least amount of room when in use but most rowing machines will fold vertically up into a smaller size for storage.
Also consider where you'll be using your kit. Many people opt for the garage but in the cold winter months is it a good place to spend half an hour or more? Will you disturb the rest of the family if you're going to use it in the lounge when they're trying to watch TV? Ellipticals, vibration trainers and bikes are usually quieter than treadmills and rowers but are you going to be puffing, blowing and dripping sweat every where? Please note that not all kit is foldable - always check the retailers description. 3. How often will you use it? You may only be using your machine for two hours a week and therefore a lower priced model could be sufficient for your needs. All machines have parts that will need replacing at some point with use. If you're going to be training for two hours a day then you really should look to spend more on a machine that has a good guarantee and reputation for reliability. A machine that breaks down is not going to get you fit! Decide how much time you're going to devote to your training and be realistic about what to expect from a bit of kit. For instance, if a treadmill costs £250 and only has a 12 month guarantee it's not the best buy for someone training to run a marathon. Note that some manufacturers stipulate a recommended maximum hours usage per week. Others may be classed as a light commercial machine that are built for heavy use. Budget treadmills with low powered motors (1.75 BHP or less) are prone to problems of over-use. If it's going to be in use for more than 7 hours a week we suggest you get a 2 BHP or higher machine with a three year warranty. 4. How many people will be using it? Many machines have a multi profile feature that allows you to store the training information for more than one user. This can be a good motivator as you can track your progress and hopefully see your fitness improve in terms of times and distances. If your whole family are going to be using it consider the issue of how long it will be used (see question 3 above.) 5. What's your goal?
If you're very overweight an elliptical trainer is probably your best option. It puts no strain on your joints, works both the upper and lower body, and is good for burning calories. You can also start with a gentle work out and build up your fitness - please check the maximum user weight first or you may invalidate the warranty. An exercise bike is also good if you're seriously overweight but will not use as many calories as an elliptical - again check the maximum user weight before you buy. If you're looking to get fit then a treadmill will work you harder than any other bit of kit and often allows for more variation in the training which prevents boredom.
They are still the 'new boys' on the block and many remain sceptical of their benefits. Recent studies in professional sports clubs have shown they can be very effective for toning and sports rehab. However, the budget machine have limited results and those that can deliver are costly. Rowing Machines remain a popular option for those who don't have the space for a treadmill (or don't like running) but still want to improve fitness. By changing the resistance on a rower you can also build strength. The rowing action will work all your major muscles and if done correctly is very safe. 6. What type is best suited to meet my needs? The best fitness equipment to meet your needs is therefore a combination of all the above. The most important thing to consider is - are you going to use it week in week out? If you do then it will help you achieve your goals. If you don't then it won't - simple as that. If you don't like running don't buy a treadmill. If you've never tried rowing, visit a showroom or gym and use one to see if you like the action. Boredom is the greatest threat to achieving your goal, so if you think you'll get fed up cycling in your home then get a bike with a TV, iPod port or some of the other fancy features available these days. If seeing progress is a motivator buy a machine with an advanced console that will record your achievements. Some manufacturers including Tunturi and Life Fitness have software you can download to your PC that will record and display your progress over time. So take your time - visit our reviews sites below - do your homework and you'll get the best fitness equipment that's going to do the job. Treadmill Reviews Exercise Bike Reviews Elliptical Cross Trainer Reviews Vibration Trainer Reviews Our rowing machine review website will be going live shortly. 
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