Choosing Fitness Equipment

We understand purchasing fitness equipment is a large financial committment, so we want you to be fully satisfied. We would like to offer you a few tips you can use when you come in and look over our selection, so you are able to pick the proper equipment for your exercising (at the request of some of our female customers, we would like to note for some of our male customers that television remote controls do not technically qualify as exercise equipment, so we will not be addressing them herein).

Why is the in-store shopping process so important? So you can try 'em out. Comfort is often the most important customer issue, and you can't determine comfort from a magazine picture. Following are some general issues on various products to be considered, in hopes that you have as much info as possible, so you can make the best decision.

Treadmills
Gym Systems
Cardiovascular Machines and Stationary Bikes
Free Weights
Accessories

Treadmills.

One of our most popular items, but there are many issues to keep in mind while shopping:

• Horsepower. The power of the motor is a key issue, for if it is not at least 1.5 horsepower, it may wear out. Also note and look for the category of "continuous-duty" horsepower, which is the most reliable standard.
• Starting Speed and Safety. A safe starting speed is .5 mph or less, otherwise may have problems with a jerky start, and you may lose you balance at higher speeds. Also, there should be an easily accessible Emergency Shut-Off.
• Belt Size. Is the surface space of the belt large enough to be comfortable for your stride?
• Incline. If you go with a model that inclines, it should not wobble at higher elevations. If it is an electric incline, is the motor quiet and does the motor strain to elevate? If it is a manual incline, do you find it easily adjustable?
• Control Panel. Different models may offer diffrent computerized displays, tracking different information: speed, distance, time, heart rate, incline, and so on. Make sure the display tracks the information you're interested in.
• Warranty. What makes for a good warranty? Lifetime on the frame, 2 years on the moving parts (especially the belts and rollers), and 2 years on the motor and electric components.

Gym Systems.

These larger exercising machines offer the customer several exercising stations.

• First, tackle the space issue. Do you have room for this type of product? The product will list its dimensions, so you must measure your room for compatibility.
• Many of these have sitting stations, and will come with its own bench or seat, check for comfort and range of motion.
• You want to get the most bang for your buck, so check to see if each station allows for multiple exercises.
• Not all systems have the same types of stations, so make sure your system is built with stations that offer the exercises your interested in.

Cardiovascular Machines and Stationary Bikes.

We have a wide variety of such equipment: Nordic Tracks, Elliptix Cross-Trainers, Recumbant bikes, and so on.

• Comfort, Comfort, Comfort! For these machines to be effective, you must spend time on the machine and obtain a rhythm, which will be impossible if the size or build of the machine is uncomfortable for your body.
• Ask your salesperson about the durability of the moving parts, what they are made of, and are they under warranty.
• Noise issues. You'll be spending a lot of time on these, with a lot of movement. Think of your neighbors', and your own sanity.
• Tension. Many of these work using tension mechanisms. Are the tension mechanisms easily adjustable?
• Range of motion. Close cousin to the comfort issue, does the range exercise your body properly? Is the range easily adjustable for multiple users?

Free Weights.

• A comfortable grip is key, whether a dumbell or bar.
• With free weights a good question is, how much is enough? Advance your collection slowly.
• Durability. Do the weights have a plastic layer coating, or are they all metal? Plastic can crack.
• Space. Are they small enough to be moved out of the way, or stored easily?

Accessories.

• Safety. Do your body a favor, and give it the support it needs with weight waist belts, gloves, wrist supports.
• Clamps. Are they easy to work, with a quick release?
• If you're buying new grips for a universal station, do they have a compatible linking mechnism?
  
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