During the New Year many folks join gyms, or buy home fitness equipment with the intention of beginning a fitness program. Unfortunately, 50 percent of the people who join a gym will drop out within a few months of joining. Those who buy home equipment often fall into the same statistic.
So how do you avoid becoming a statistic? What do you do if you want the convenience of having home fitness equipment but are overwhelmed by the variety of options these days? Clients frequently ask me to help them select the appropriate equipment.
My best advice is to start small and simple. Determine your favorite mode of exercise, one in which you have been successful with in the past, envision yourself doing, or are engaging in the present. Decide how much you are willing to spend, your space considerations, and then do your homework/research by trying out the machine before buying.
Beware – Not all machines are created equal. The more costly machines may be of better quality and have more features. Determine what features you want. For example, do you want a heart rate monitor? Do you want a machine that is comparable to commerical gym equipment? Or do you want a basic model? I have high standards when it comes fitness equipment. Like a car, I want a machine that’s going to get lots of mileage without breaking down!
I started with a treadmill and over the years built my dream home gym by slowly adding a rower, a spin bike and recently an elliptical. I appreciate the convenience of working out at home. Since, I’m out training most of the day, I love being able to sqeeze in a cardio session and then hop into a hot shower all in the convenience of my home!
Don’t be a statistic – keep going to your gym or purchase the right machine. Stay motivated and adhere to your program. If you need help hire a trainer!
