We see children playing, and they have no limit to what they are willing to do. They run and jump and climb. They fall and then they get up again. You might feel like telling them to slow down, but you never have to tell children to speed up.

But things change when you get older, at least for most people. Somehow many people get the idea that they are too old to exercise. You see it in many people soon after high school. They just aren’t active anymore. They think that their running and jumping days are behind them. It just isn’t true.

You can be active at any age. And you can use exercise, heavy exercise, to help you get the lean body that you want.

Now, before you strap on the gym shoes and start sprinting you have to know a few things. One is that if you have let yourself get too out of shape you will need a gradual approach to vigorous activity.

Too much, too soon, and you can injure yourself. Or you will be too exhausted to continue, and you will give up. Neither one will lead you to a successful outcome.

So what do you do if you are no longer a kid, but you decide it is time for you to get into some kind of shape? The answer may not be what you would think. The best answer for you is resistance training.

Now, what is resistance training? There are many kinds of resistance training, but the kind that would be most familiar to you, and the kind that you could do and should do, is weight lifting.

Weight lifting, at any age, is the safest and most effective way to get in shape. And especially if you are getting older, stiffer, heavier, and out of shape, weight lifting may be ideal for you.

That may not seem logical at first glance, but here is why. One example of the benefits of weight training is found in the research done at the University of Arkansas. (Exercise training guidelines for the elderly. Evans WJ, Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1999 Jan;31(1):12-7.) This is one of many studies which showed the benefits of heavy weight training in all ages.

They studied the group that you might guess would be most prone to injury and least likely to be able to exercise. They picked elderly nursing home residents and had them do high intensity resistance training.

What the researchers found was that the frail elderly develop increased muscle mass and dramatically increased strength in a few short weeks. Further, they became more active in their daily lives after they got more fit.

They defined high intensity resistance training as movements involving greater than 60% of the one repetition maximum. For example, if the maximum that you could lift one time was 100 pounds, then high intensity resistance training would require you to lift at least 60 pounds.

Sixty percent of your one repetition maximum is enough resistance to cause muscle growth. It requires movement of muscle against resistance to cause muscle growth, and that is why most people get so little benefit from their treadmill workouts and why they often give up. Plodding on the treadmill does not stimulate muscle growth, and it will not give you the changes in your body you are hoping for.

What is true for the elderly is true for people of all ages. Resistance training in any form will give you all sorts of benefits. It increases muscle tone and it increases muscle mass. The increased tone gives women a shapelier figure and men a more powerful silhouette, and the increased mass burns calories and aids weight loss.

There are many forms of resistance training. Any exercise which will cause you to exert yourself at least 60 percent of your maximum exertion will do. But if you are out of shape it is very difficult to do a lot of resistance activities. Climbing trees might work well for you if you are already in excellent shape, but if not you have to find something that you can actually do. That is why weight training is the ideal resistance exercise for most people.

The weights come in all sizes, from the 8 ounce soup can in your cupboard to 150 pound dumbbells at the gym. The variety of exercises is infinite and limited only by your imagination. There are many excellent books, videos and magazines available on the subject.

The gains you make are easy to see, because the numbers are right there in front of you. So you don’t have to wonder if you are making gains. You will make gains, and you will see so yourself in a very few weeks. Especially in people who have let themselves get out of shape, weight lifting can bring dramatic changes in a very short period of time if done right.

And perhaps most importantly weight lifting can be fun. You will see after you try it. It is fun when you see yourself becoming strong and lean.

The Precor exercise equipment prowess is clearly seen in every piece of this powerful range. Design your very own Precor exercise equipment 'mini gym' at home with the help of their unique Space Planner, and you are well on your way to fitness and well-being.

The line of EFX Crosstrainers is proof of the superb engineering behind Precor exercise equipment. Building on your natural motion patterns, the Crosstrainers allow for a total body workout, with minimal impact as far as your joints and lower back are concerned. The EFX5.17i is one of 5 available models. It features 4 programs, with 20 easily adjustable resistance levels. The brilliantly designed Membrane console of this piece of Precor exercise equipment, provides all the feedback you need to adjust your training program for maximum efficiency.

The 5 treadmills in the Precor exercise equipment stable are equally tempting. When you feel a bit lethargic, the QuickStart button will jump-start both you and your treadmill! The suspension system is such that it will put a spring in your step, but still offers just enough give to ensure joint comfort. The solidly constructed Precor M9.31 features five programs, with adjustable speed and incline levels. This model is ideal for home use, offering quiet operation, and a space-saving small footprint.

Precor exercise equipment also offers a cycle line, which feature 4 models. The Precor C842i-U cycle has a belt drive system with a Poly-V belt, facilitating low maintenance and a pleasurably quiet workout time. The six programs includes variations such as Cross Country, Heart Rate Control, Hill Climb, and Weight Loss.

The StretchTrainer C240i in the Precor exercise equipment range is great for use before and after your workouts, and has been designed to improve flexibility.

Strength training has been addressed with the Strength Systems of Precor exercise equipment. If you want to see quick results, this is the way to go. You have a variety of options for upper body workouts, such as curls, lifts, rows, and presses. The lower body station takes care of aspects such as balance and muscle building.

The workout routine that is perfect for your body and your needs, is waiting for you in one or more of the Precor exercise equipment lines.

There is plenty of home gym equipment to choose from these days, but all gym equipment is not created equal. As with most home fitness equipment, there are pluses and minuses for almost every model you want to name. But when you read all of the consumer reviews that are available, certain models do rise to the top of the ratings. And here are the results of those findings now.

First of all, we have to divide the reviews into two parts, the first having to do with the most popular home gym equipment that uses bars and rods to create the resistance needed for each exercise. These type of home gyms often fold up and take up very little floor space. They tend to be very convenient and easy to use. The second type of home gym equipment still uses a weight system of some type instead. Because of that, they are often much more bulky, large machines that take up more space.

The two most popular home gyms that feature rods and bars for resistance are the Bowflex made by Nautilus, and the Crossbar made by Weider. Each machine has it's own strengths and weaknesses. The Bowflex is much easier to assemble, and it comes with excellent instructions on how to use it. The Crossbar on the other hand, takes more time to put together, but it costs and awful lot less than the Bowflex. All things considered, most reviewers and consumers seem to feel that the Crossbar gets the overall nod mainly based on price. Both machines seem to do almost equally as well as each other when actually performing exercises. Expect to pay between $1500 and $2000 for a Bowflex, and around $500 for a Crossbar.

If you are really serious about home strength training then you will probably opt for one of the more traditional weight stack machines instead. There are several of them on the market that do a fine job, but one that seems to get very good reviews and reports from consumers is the Hoist V5. It's certainly not cheap, costing well over $3000. But according to all sources it is a very high quality, strong and sturdy, strength trainer that will do just about everything that you need. It includes a 200 lb. weight stack, a chest press, a lat pulldown, and a leg extension/curl feature. It functions smoothly and easily with near gym quality motion.

One very important point to keep in mind is that no strength training machine will help you reach your goals if you don't remain consistent in using it. So having the best equipment and training inconsistently will never match the performance of a lesser quality home gym that is used on a regular basis.

It's also important to enlist the help of your doctor to make sure that the strength training program you are engaged in will be beneficial and not cause you injury.

Current statistics show that more and more people prefer to exercise on their treadmills at home rather than go out in inclement weather. Treadmill exercise is also the fastest growing mode of exercise, as well as the most profitable business pertaining to sports goods.

Home treadmills are designed a little differently than those used in gyms and clubs. The difference is in the sturdiness of the flywheel. Since gym treadmills are for public usage, their flywheels are stronger and more adapting to different speeds. Even their conveyor belts are made of more durable materials.

There are many reasons why home treadmills are preferred over treadmills at the gym or the club. For one thing, exercising on a treadmill at home saves commuting to the gym or the club. Then there is no question of shirking exercise, citing bad weather as the reason. Hence, people can exercise more and stay fitter. Exercising outside is also rife with dangers such as muggers and barking stray dogs. And most importantly, treadmill usage at home provides the convenience of being able to exercise at any desirable time.

Treadmills are expensive. Good electric operated treadmills would cost upwards of $1,500 and may even go up to $6,000. Due to this reason, treadmills are bought mainly by affluent people. The trend is changing slowly as more and more people realize that getting a treadmill is not a luxury but an investment for health. Treadmills are also more popular among women. In fact, three-fourths of all home users of treadmills are women.

Space is another factor to be considered before setting up a treadmill at home. Treadmills generally occupy five feet by two feet of floor area. There must be empty space kept around the treadmill so that the user doesn’t get much injured in case of a fall. The room where the treadmill is installed must be well-ventilated and airy because treadmill exercise can tend to be very sweaty.

Then there is the problem of electric supply. Most home appliances work on DC, but treadmills could work on either. It is better to opt for a DC-operated treadmill where home usage is concerned. Needless to say, toddlers must be kept as far away from a treadmill as possible, especially when it is in operation. The conveyor belt has a nasty drag-down effect and it may be catastrophic to the child if its clothing is caught in the belt. For protection against such mishaps, home treadmills are provided with special keys. Treadmills can be operated by adults only after inserting the keys in the slots provided. These keys have other benefits too. In electric treadmills, these keys can even remember the exact speed at which the exercise was going on. Hence, on inserting the key, the exercise can continue from the precise point where it was stopped.

Treadmills are very effective exercise equipment, but they can be quite expensive. People who have tight budgets but still want the convenience of a treadmill at home could opt for a used treadmill.

There are many people who buy quality treadmills and then find that they do not have the time or inclination to work out. Such treadmills often find their way to used treadmill stores. Such treadmills may be hardly used at all yet can be found at dirt-cheap rates. Used treadmill sellers also tweak their treadmills a little and refurbish them, so that the resold product is sometimes better than the original one.

Used treadmills can be found in stores that sell used exercise equipment, but most used treadmill sales take place over the Internet. Sometimes gyms and health clubs may sell their old treadmills when they plan to renovate. These treadmills are usually the best. Treadmills used in gyms and health clubs are sturdier and more heavy-duty than home treadmills. Even though they may have been used for a couple of years, treadmills from such facilities have a longer lifespan. They also have more features and better quality parts.

While going for a used treadmill, the first thing to check is that the moving parts all function properly. In fact, you must use the treadmill for a couple of minutes to see that everything is in working order. If the treadmill belt moves jerkily, then there is a problem with it. Treadmills also tend to get noisier over time, as their lubrication wears off. Check that the used treadmill you are getting is not too noisy. Stores may use some temporary lubrication to reduce this effect.

If you are buying from a used equipment store, be sure to ask the storekeeper about the history of the treadmill you wish to purchase. An experienced eye can deduce the wear and tear of the treadmill by observing the tread of the belt, the paint on the handrails, the functioning of the console, etc. That brings us to the console. Computer parts of the treadmills are their most sensitive parts. Over time, these may develop defects, and may not function at all. Check each and every feature of the treadmill. Without the console functioning properly, you may not be able to use most of the features of the treadmill.

The price of a used treadmill depends on its age and quality. Be sure to cross-check the current original price of the treadmill you are buying. There should be enough difference in the costs of the new and used treadmills to compensate for its usage. Used treadmill sellers also give short-term warranties. A final word – there is no point buying a used treadmill that is already of a cheap make. If at all you decide to buy a used treadmill, opt for the high-quality products. Cheaper treadmills are less sturdy and may break down within days of installation at your house.

Elliptical trainers are one of the best ways to get a good cardiovascular and aerobic workout. Unfortunately, they're also very expensive and as with all major investments, it is important to get a good overview of all the different elliptical machine makes and models available. This way you can buy the cross trainer that would suit you best and not just buy the first one you see or is recommended by the store salesmen.

Since an elliptical machine carries a high enough price tag to qualify it as a major purchase, it is best to treat it in the same way you would if you were buying a car. There are many magazines available covering health and fitness topics and many of these regularly do reviews of elliptical machines and cover subjects such as reliability and value for money. A little bit of research can go along way towards saving you money and finding the best cross trainer for your fitness needs.

As well as all the health and fitness magazines, there are numerous web sites that are devoted to health and exercise topics. These websites also provide good reviews on elliptical machines and some have the bonus of being interactive. This means that the readers of a web site can leave their own impressions and opinions on how good the machines are and also on subjects such as value for money, reliability, space needed to store and use the cross trainer and ease of use. It is also well worth looking for the best prices online. Fitness and exercise shops that trade solely online do not have the same overheads as your traditional brick and mortar stores which employ a sales staff and have to pay for premises and all the accompanying costs of normal day to day business activities.

Reading reviews online about the latest cross trainers doesn't have to be your only source of research. Your local fitness membership centers can also be a good source of information. It is a good idea to ask the fitness instructors in the local gym whether they have any knowledge of the machines and what their opinions are and which elliptical trainer they would purchase if they were looking to buy one for personal use. Naturally, the salespeople in your local exercise shop will probably have as much technical knowledge about the machines as anyone else, but they also have a vested interest in your buying one of the models they readily stock and sale making them sometimes not always the best source of information as to the negative aspects of a particular brand or model of elliptical machine.

Saying this, a good salesman will always give you a balanced view on whether or not the product is useful for you, as this promotes customer loyalty and will give the shop a good reputation. So it is sometimes worth getting the opinion of a salesmen that you feel you can rely on.

An elliptical trainer is a major expense and as such it is worth putting in a little effort before you buy one for personal use. Just taking the time to get a few reviews of elliptical machines and the opinions of some people who are knowledgeable about the subject, whether online or in a shop or gym, will pay dividends and make sure you get the best machine for the best price that is most appropriate to your needs.

Treadmills are personalized equipment – a treadmill that works well for one may turn out to be a back breaker for another. While buying a treadmill, it is good to go through the manual and see whether it has the features you desire. It is even better if you try out the treadmill for a while before zeroing in on the purchase.

Among treadmills, the most expensive is not necessarily the best. It all depends on what exercises you are looking to do. If you want to walk, then a belt with a lesser width and length would do just fine. For exercises such as jogging and sprinting, wider and longer belts are required. While buying treadmills, the most important parts to be considered are the deck and the belt. The belt must be free to rotate without jagging or sagging, and must not tilt to one side as it runs along. The deck must be heavy enough to remain unmoved on the floor, without getting the leveling disturbed again and again.

Safety features must also be considered, especially if there are children. Certain treadmills require keys to operate. Also check that the handrails are within reach while working out. Gripping the handrail must not create undue pressure.

Consider how many people at home are going to use the treadmill before using it. If there is more than one person, then it is better to go for one which has customized controls for each person. In features such as heartbeat and blood pressure counter, identification with passwords at the computer console enables you to keep track of your personal information without confusing it with others’. Also, if multiple people are going to work out on the treadmill, it is better to purchase a sturdier one, even though it may be more expensive. Maintenance should also be undertaken more often.

Judging by the opinions of treadmill users, Landice and Smooth remain favorites. Landice is an old hand in the business, and has changed very little. Landish treadmills are still quite conservative when it comes to features, though now they are putting in several appealing modifications. Landice treadmills are also quite expensive. Smooth treadmills remain preferable for home users. They are sleek and can also work for a fairly good amount of time. Weslo is a good brand, and its treadmills are often priced at the lower end of the spectrum, making them economically viable buys.

It is important to check out what warranties are provided by treadmill manufacturers before purchasing. Treadmills contain moving parts, such as the motor, deck and belt, which makes them more susceptible to malfunction.

Treadmills are expensive pieces of equipment with moving parts, so poor maintenance would cause more damage than it repairs. Every treadmill is designed differently and hence, for the best maintenance, it would be best to refer to the manual supplied with it.

Even a simple thing like dust accumulation may be a deterrent for the smooth movement of the conveyor. About once a week, the treadmill should be dusted all over. Special attention must be paid to areas under the belt, and any accumulation there should be dusted off.

There are several treadmill maintenance kits available in the market. They are mostly silicone-based. These kits may be used, after dusting, on moving parts such as the belt, the deck and the motor. A few drops of lubrication fluid through a convenient dropper help in maintaining lubrication in these parts of the machine and reduces the friction. But, a word of caution! Use these kits only if recommended by the manufacturers. Using the wrong type of liquid on a treadmill may make the belt too slippery, and make it lose its grip. There may be other problems these may create with the incline. Generally treadmill manufacturers also manufacture their own treadmill maintenance kits. Instead of using commercial kits, one can also use any other non-abrasive, non-acidic cleaner fluid with equal impact.

Waxing the deck must be avoided unless specifically mentioned in the treadmill manual. Many treadmill manufacturers have their own coatings on the belt for grip. Waxing them may just make the surface gummier and make it lose its grip.

There are little things that must be done regularly, like wiping the console and the handrails with a damp cloth, keeping the deck clean, etc. Do not use wet cloths on the console. As in any electronic device, grounding is necessary. An AC power supply with grounding would prevent the digital parts of the treadmill from crashing. A loss in the artificial intelligence of the treadmill may translate into loss of inclines and speeds, and may also render the treadmill totally dysfunctional.

However heavy the treadmill may be, with time it moves a little. There may be changes in the belt, which may gradually move on one side. About once a month, the belt must be realigned with the center. Belt tracking is also done if the belt falls loose and begins to sag. But be careful that you do not tighten the belt too much.

The treadmill itself may move over time and lose its level with the floor. This may cause squeaking noises while the belt is in motion. Adjust the treadmill regularly for its horizontality.

These simple maintenance procedures can be done by the users themselves. It is not necessary to contract professionals for maintenance and pay their heavy bills. However, for more complicated things like a blown fuse or component replacement, it is best to approach the company.

When the weather gets nasty outdoors, especially in the cold winter months, an indoor treadmill can be an excellent way of exercising. However, treadmill users have a common grouse – that working out on the treadmill gets to be monotonous and boring after a while. And that is justified, because staring at the same four walls during a treadmill workout is much less appealing than jogging outdoors among the sights of nature.

In order to make a treadmill workout more appealing, experts have devised many methods of workouts. A good treadmill workout should be able to work the muscles of the calves, thighs, hips, butt, abdomen and chest, plus improve circulation. People who just walk on the treadmill at home without expert surveillance often end up only exercising their lower limbs and do not extract the maximum advantages that a treadmill provides.

Other things have to be borne in mind. While treading indoors, you don’t put as much effort as you would outdoors. There is no wind and no air resistance to drag you behind. The path outside is stony too, and that means there is no cushiony comfort of the conveyor belt in the great outdoors. Then there may be traffic or other people milling around in the opposite direction, which may require you to deviate from the path. Taking these turns also requires extra effort. So, since a treadmill workout is easier than an outdoor sprint, you should tread at a little higher speed and incline as you would do outdoors.

Listening to music or keeping the television on reduces the boredom of an indoor workout. It is also necessary to keep the room well-ventilated and airy to prevent sweatiness and slipperiness of the belt.

Begin your treadmill workout with a low speed and gradually work upwards. In order to compensate for lack of air resistance, keep the speed a little higher than what you are accustomed to outside. Gradually step up the speed. After a couple of minutes, you should be sprinting, not walking, but make this an automatic increase so that you do not realize when you have to begin sprinting. While stepping on the belt, do not press the belt too hard, as this would exert more pressure on the shin, causing shin aches and other muscle aches. Also, take care that the speed does not go so high that you have to pant and gasp, and can’t speak clearly. Treadmill workouts work best in accordance with the body capacity of the user.

Reserve half the time of a treadmill workout each day for incline treading. If you work out for 50 minutes each day (this time should be possible when you are treading for at least 4 weeks on a daily basis), then keep 25 minutes for inclines. The same policy works for inclines as horizontal treading. Begin with a mild incline, like 3 or 4, and gradually work it upwards up to 8. Treadmill manufacturers try to hook their customers by providing more inclines, sometimes up to 25, but that limit is not necessary. A person can increase the incline as days progress.

Treadmills, being fitness equipment, are not purchased on the basis of their brand names alone. Moreover, each brand produces a wide variety of treadmills with different features. Hence, it lies more in the discretion of the purchaser to buy a treadmill that is more suited to him/her.

While buying a treadmill, the cost is not the most important factor. Treadmills range from $200 to $6,000, depending on their quality and the features they provide. The buyer must try to get the maximum benefits within the decided budget. There are treadmills designed to be suitable to particular types of exercises. Treadmills for walking have a lesser belt width than those designed for running. Treadmill costs also depend on their extra features. For heart patients, treadmills have heart rate counters, with wireless chest straps. There are also treadmills with fancy features such as odometers, carbohydrate counters, calorie burnout counters, etc. Of course, these features increase the costs. When buying, one must decide whether these features are worth thousands of extra dollars.

Judging by the popularity factor, Smooth treadmills stand out. Smooth provides high quality for comparatively cheap prices. This makes people buy them more. Also, Smooth provides lifetime warranties on the motors of some of their products.

Another very popular brand is the Proform, produced by Icon Health and Fitness, the same company that also produces Reebok. Proform treadmills, though very popular, use lower quality components than Smooth. The warranties provided by Proform are also not as substantial as Smooth’s. However, to Proform’s credit, they are one of the better-designed treadmills on the market.

Icon Health and Fitness also produces the Nordic Track treadmills. Though much better looking than the Proform treadmills, they are infested with several problems and are also difficult and expensive to maintain.

Landice is more conservative when it comes to treadmill manufacture. Being one of the oldest in the business, they have consistently been known for the high-quality parts that they use in their products. Their L8 series treadmills are much better crafted to make them appealing to youngsters, but for the serious runners, the L7 series remains the best bet. Landice treadmills are also more expensive, but they have now begun providing lifetime warranties to keep up with the competition. If you want a niche treadmill which is beautiful as well as sturdy, go for the Landice.

Precor is considered to be a pioneer of the elliptical treadmills and they have mastered the technology over the years. However, their treadmills are pricier than others. By giving a sleeker look to their products, they manage to sell more of their products than those of other companies. Precor wins over design rather than quality.

The cheapest treadmills in the market are the Weslo treadmills. Being cheap, they sell like hotcakes. Weslo can manufacture their treadmills cheaply by providing a lower horsepower engine, a less durable belt and no electronic features. Yet, these treadmills are sufficient for the exerciser who just wants to have a walking workout. For sprints and heavier workouts, these treadmills are a strict no-no. Weslo also is notorious when it comes to giving warranties – most of them are less than 90 days.

You know what makes exercising on a treadmill so effective in losing weight and getting in shape – the ability to adjust the incline. With the push of a button you can adjust the intensity level of your workout to any degree.

If you live in a flatlander state like Illinois and you run or walk outside, you’re stuck at one level. With a treadmill you can simulate running or walk on hills or mountains, and that is where you start getting the heart beating and the calories burning.

Breaking Out of the Exercise Rut

For those of us who exercise regularly, we tend to get into a rut. And once you get stuck in a rut you reach a plateau. You find that you are not losing any more weight, and you are not getting in better shape. By changing up your routine and the intensity of your workout you can reach new highs in your personal fitness.

That is why hill and interval training are such popular programs on the treadmill. In fact, one of the hottest trends in exercising and weigh loss is High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). This new form of aerobic exercising manages to get the maximum results in less time. And for us who struggle to find the time to exercise, this type of workout is very attractive.

Treadmill Are Ideal for Interval Training

High Intensity Interval Training requires exercising at high intensity levels for 1-3 minutes, and follow-up with a recovery period that is approximately 2 to 3 times longer. HIIT can apply whether you run or walk. It just is a matter of raising the incline level and getting the heart beating faster.

Treadmills are ideal for aerobic workouts like High Intensity Interval Training. You crank the treadmill up to a high incline for several minutes then reduce the level and slow down to a walk or slow jog. You can either use existing hill or interval programs on the treadmill (most at least have hill training), or you can manually control the workout to a level you feel comfortable with.

Most people buying a treadmill want one with an incline (also called treadmill elevation).

It used to be that incline on a treadmill was a bonus feature. However today, most motorized treadmills come with an incline option. The difference seems to be in the amount of elevation available.

If you're looking for an economy treadmill (under $1000) you'll probably find most treadmills only come with a 10-12% elevation (however that can be enough for most people - especially for those new to treadmill exercise).

When you get into the mid-priced treadmills ($1500+) you'll start to see elevations of 12-15%. And in most premium treadmills you'll find inclines of 15%.

If you're in top shape and really want a challenge, then you'll probably want a 15% incline. However if you just want a treadmill for gentle walking, 10% might suit you perfectly.

Of course, the mother of elevation treadmills is the incline trainer. This is a treadmill that also gives you much more incline than normal treadmills - up to 30%.

For example, you've probably heard about the Bowflex Treadclimber. The Bowflex Treadclimber is a hybrid stair climber and treadmill. TreadClimbers have two separate, smaller treadmill belts (one for each foot) that you walk on. These individual belts also move up and down, meeting every step you take.

Nordic Track also has an incline trainer available - called the Nordic Track X5. This machine has only one treadbelt (like a treadmill) and offers elevations of up to 30%.

An incline trainer is way more than most people need. But if you want to burn as much as 500 calories in 20 minutes, you can do it with one of these machines.

While incline trainers are excellent for burning calories, the downside is you're going to pay for them. Prices start at around $1600 for basic models. Because of this, these units are used mostly in commercial settings like gyms or office fitness facilities.

So why the big deal about treadmill inclines?

Walking on an elevated slope can help super-blast your calorie burn. You can burn up to twice or even 3 times the calories by walking on an incline vs. walking on a level surface.

Plus if you're looking to build intervals into your workout, walking on an elevation for 30 seconds to 2 minutes can be a great way to interval train and boost your post workout calorie burn.

So in general an incline on a treadmill is a great tool to have. It can help you get in shape and burn calories much faster than simply walking on a level surface.

Treadmills are a great way to run indoors without all the outside running hassles such as traffic, time constraints and bad weather. You just turn your treadmill it on and run while watching your favorite TV program or listening to your favorite music. Of course you have to choose well when it comes to finding the right treadmill in order to make sure that you buy a good exercise running machine that will be reliable and not cost a fortune to initially buy or then maintain. When choosing a treadmill there several things that you should consider, first you have to decide how much you want to pay for you new indoor running machine.

There are good deals to be had on quality treadmills if you are patient and shop carefully. Online fitness stores and shops are always worth researching. In many cases they can offer lower prices when compared to your standard brick and mortar stores, as they have a lower daily operating costs due to a lower overhead and fewer staff members to pay. There are also price comparison sites that let you choose what type of treadmill you want and then tell you where the lowest prices can be found for the particular treadmill model you're interested in purchasing. In the event that even these prices seem too high when you are choosing a treadmill then you could consider a used or refurbished model. Used treadmills can be very cheap and in most cases you can get a quality exercise machine if you are careful with your research before you buy. Refurbished models are a bit more costly but have been repaired by the factory and are usually a much better option.

When you are choosing a treadmill one thing you should first investigate and check is that it has a good solid build in the frame and a reliable and powerful motor. You also need to know that it will be comfortable for you when exercising or running on it, so you need to try it out in order to make sure that it meets your expectations on what a treadmill can and cannot accomplish. If it doesn't seem right then try another model, remember you will be spending a good amount of money in order to purchase your treadmill. When trying to find the right treadmill for your specific physical fitness needs it is a good idea to try several machines so that you can decide which is the best for you. Additionally, it is worth trying at least a few different models out as they do vary and some may seem to work better for you than others.

Also don't forget that you also need to make sure that the track is wide enough for you to run on and that it has a nice secure grip. Some models offer electronic extras, such as monitoring your heart rate when you are running. Although purchasing a treadmill machine with these extras can significantly push the price up so before making your purchase you need to decide whether you truly need them in order to get a workout on your running machine.

As you can see, it is worth doing a bit of research when choosing a treadmill as it is a considerable expense and you need to be sure that you make the right choice in order to buy the treadmill machine that fits into your budget while at the same time getting you into your optimum physical shape and health status.

The Bowflex fitness machine takes care of most exercise, strength training and overall fitness training. It replaces most of the gym equipment found at the local gyms today and makes it easier to get an almost total workout using only one machine. You can perform a fitness routine on a Bowflex at home just as if you were at the local gym and using all of the gym equipment there.

Still, there are a few pieces of fitness equipment that you may need in your home-based gym to supplement the workout you get from your Bowflex.

Health care professionals almost always say that walking an hour a day, combined with eating a healthy diet, is one of the best things a person can do for cardiovascular or heart health. A treadmill is helps with cardio fitness and compliments a Bowflex fitness machine if walking outside is not an option. Treadmills come in many different styles, but a simple treadmill can be used effectively with your regular Bowflex workouts and fitness routines.

Other Possible Items for Your Home Gym

Upright, stationary bikes are smaller pieces of gym equipment that take up much less room in a workout area than a treadmill. This is a great choice if your space is limited. Upright bikes are often used in place of treadmills for the cardiovascular fitness routines that are needed for a well-balanced workout.

Medicine balls help with endurance and joint integrity that may hinder and stop a full and complete workout on a Bowflex. Medicine balls are not really considered a necessity for the home gym setup, but in the long run they are very useful. They help with arthritis and other signs of aging.

Hand grippers are a handy little piece of gym equipment that works on improving hand strength while toning and building bigger forearms. They can help prevent any accidents on a Bowflex due to a weak grip.

Fitness balls help tone and shape the muscles that help make a body more flexible. Aerobic exercise equipment such as fitness bands and cords also help with flexibility and give the consumer a great alternative to using weights. They can also help intensify the muscle building exercises on the Bowflex.

A balance disc helps with core body development and training with balance. The balance disc can be adjusted by deflating it or giving it more air for a customized work out.

Most of the Bowflex fitness machines do not come with all the proper cardiovascular or fitness workout attachments to get a complete, well-rounded workout and fitness routine. They do cover almost all of the gym equipment that would be used for strength training and circuit training for muscle building and toning of the legs, arms, chest and abdominals.

The Bowflex fitness machine should not be the only piece of exercise equipment in the home, if there is room in the workout area. It lacks the cardiovascular aspect of a total workout that a well-rounded fitness routine needs.

If you’re looking for a Bowflex for sale, then here are some suggestions on where to look.

Buying Directly From Bowflex

To find the most complete customer service, be eligible for their full warranty and take advantage of their satisfaction guarantee, you’ll want to buy your Bowflex through the official website.

This is also a great option if you’re unsure of which product you need. It has information on every Bowflex for sale for your home gym. You can read descriptions, find exercises and see testimonials of satisfied Bowflex customers. And if you’re not sure what to ask, there’s a great FAQ page.

Another benefit of getting your Bowflex from the official site is the Bowflex interactive demo, available at the click of your mouse. You can order a free DVD and brochure from Bowflex to help you choose the right unit.

If you purchase your Bowflex online from the official site, you will get zero-down financing with the Bowflex guarantee. All these full features come at the full price.

Buying From an Independent Dealer

A Bowflex for sale from an independent dealer is another great option. But you’ll have to pay close attention to the details of the warranty terms. Most independent dealers offer a 5-year warranty.

A Bowflex purchased directly through the company will offer warranties anywhere from 5 to 12 years in length. In order to get a long-term warranty from an independent dealer you may have to purchase an additional extended warranty. So consider this when you’re shopping for the best price.

Buying From an Online Auction

On any given day, you’ll find a Bowflex for sale at an online auction site such as eBay. If you’re planning on looking for a good deal online, then you should know it’s a “buyer beware" market.

Online prices for a Bowflex are attractive to a potential buyer. But the equipment will lack the Bowflex warranty that extends only to the original, registered owner.

Before bidding on a home gym, find out more about who’s the Bowflex. You can do this by reading the customer feedback comments provided at auction sites. You'll see the kind of service previous buyers have experienced with that particular seller. And if they’re untrustworthy, then it’s not worth the low price you’ll pay.

The one big drawback of buying a Bowflex through an auction site has got to be shipping. Find out if a seller has experience packaging and shipping. You may want to look for a local seller where you could go pick it up yourself. Craigslist.com provides this service in many cities.

You shouldn’t have a problem finding a Bowflex for sale. They’re out there and there are good deals for anyone willing to take the time to look for one. But, with an investment like this, you’ll just want to make sure you dot all of your I’s and cross all of your t’s.