Buying home exercise equipment: making smart choices

Choosing home exercise equipment can be tricky. Before you know it, you're handing over a wad of cash or signing a credit card slip for a clunky gadget that’s only going to gather dust in your sitting room. Here are some things to keep in mind when looking to buy fitness equipment for your home.

Choose something that suits your goals.

This may sound obvious, but buy equipment that compliments the activities you do. If you walk regularly, think about a stair-stepper, elliptical machine or stationary cycle. And remember, there is no one magic machine that does it all. The complete home gym includes cardiovascular equipment, some strength-training equipment and a place to stretch.
Measure.

Make sure you have room for the equipment you're considering. Will it fit through the door and around the tight corners of your staircase? If space is a problem, look for movable, collapsible or small equipment. For instance, you can now get a pair of dumbbells that takes up no more space than a flower vase and adjusts from 5 pounds up to 65 pounds. Fitness balls, jump ropes, steps and tubing are also good, compact choices.
Be realistic: What is your fitness level?

An exercise that looks easy when an Olympic athlete demonstrates it on the television can be tough when you try it out yourself. If this machine requires a high level of coordination and fitness, you may want to rethink your purchase.
Do you really need that?

Carefully consider the expensive bits and bobs that come on some machines. Many add-ons go unused and may ultimately be a waste of money. The 'extras' that help track distance or time add value only if they inspire you to exercise consistently.