Gyms membership generally runs to several hundred dollars over the course of a year (and often more than a thousand). With joining fees on top of this and contracts which are sometimes difficult to get out of as well as the intimidating atmosphere of some gyms and the inconvenience of actually getting there, it can be enough to put you off getting fit entirely.

Gyms actually rely on you signing up and then not turning up very often - that's what 80% of the membership or more actually does. If all the members turned up on a regular basis you would not be able to move. If you've ever witnessed packed machines and crowded locker rooms in January only to find the gym equipment and shower stalls so much more accessible for the rest of the year you'll know that's true.

So if you can't afford the gym or you suspect you'd be one of those funding the regular gym goers most of the year, what's the alternative?

One answer is create your own gym at home where you can get in shape without spending a fortune.

How much would it cost to kit out a home gym?

How about less than $100?

You see, while the kind of equipment you will find at your local gym costs thousands of dollars, there is no need to equip your home like that (unless you want and can afford to). You really just need a few simple items to get fit at home (and there are ways you can get fit without any money at all too).

What kind of equipment do I mean?

Equipment like a simple jump rope, step or rebounder, hand weights, fitness bands and door way bar. There is no need to buy it all - you choose a selection of items which you will most enjoy using and which will cover all aspects of getting in shape: cardio fitness, strength and flexibility.

These days we have become too used to seeking out and paying for solutions (and sometimes when we pay a lot we feel we have done our bit even without doing the work). But it's actually taking action rather than paying for an expensive gym membership which counts.

If you want to join a gym that will set you back a lot of money, why not invest in a little equipment first and promise yourself if you use it regularly for 3 months you will reward yourself with that gym membership (if you still want to go there, that is (chances are you will enjoy working out at home so much you won't bother)). And for those of you who won't make it past the 3 months you are guaranteed to save yourself a fortune in fees.

Most people will say that their treadmill is their favorite piece of gym equipment. They like how easy it is to use. They like the fact that they can actually achieve benefits by using this machine. They like the fact that they can be at any fitness level and still get a good workout. Yet, as with any piece of equipment you should consider your options and read all the tips you can to find that perfect treadmill for you.

Some things you should consider before you go shopping for a treadmill are:

* Your budget. How much can you afford to spend? You don't want the purchase to increase your debt.

* Your space. You may even want to measure this space. Treadmills do come in a variety of sizes.

* The size of the people who will be using the treadmill the most. You will need a strong and dependable treadmill if bigger people will be using it or if there are a number of people who will be using it (the more people the more miles that will be walked).

* The type of treadmill you want. Do you want one that runs manually or by electric? Most people prefer the electric kind because they are a lot easier, especially for someone who is new at exercising. Do you want one that inclines?

Once you have decided on the basics you are ready to go treadmill shopping. Where should you go?

You have many choices when it comes to buying gym equipment. You can buy treadmills at such places as: sporting good stores, some department stores, online, and you may even buy these used at stores or auction sites. Be aware though if you are buying online, especially if it is used, that you won't be able to examine it. It is always a good idea to examine a treadmill before buying and when you can test it. By testing it, you will get a small chance to see if it feels right to you and your feet.

When examining a treadmill you need to look at such things as:

* The belt and how smooth it seems to run. A good belt should measure no less than 17 X 49".

* The frame. Does it seem strong enough to hold up for a long time?

* The extras only if you really think you need them.

Once you do find that seemingly perfect treadmill, ask the salesperson about any warranties that might be offered. Warranties are always a good thing when it comes to electric devices. Make sure you know exactly what parts are covered by this warranty and how you will go about using the warranty if a problem ever arises.

Knowing the tips to finding the perfect treadmill will make your purchase easier. But once you purchase it, be sure to use it. Don't allow it to sit in a corner, become covered in dust or become a coat rack. A treadmill can be a great tool for everyone's regular workout schedule.

You want to get in shape. Yet, you hate going to public health clubs. You want to build your own home gym. What will you need and where do you start?

First, you need to think about your exercise objectives? Do you want a cardio workout? Do you like lifting weights? Do you bore easily with the same exercise routines? These are some of the questions you need to be asking yourself.

The perfect home gym should have the equipment and the space where you can do a variety of different types of exercise. Your body needs some cardio (aerobic) exercise as well as some resistance and strength training exercise.

Here are a few items you should have when building a basic home gym:

* A comfortable mat. You need this to do some of your stretching and yes even some abdominal type work.

* Dumbbells ranging in sizes, elastic toning bands, ankle weights. These all are good for strength and resistance training (as well as building muscle definition).

* A bicycle for your aerobic needs. You may even want one that will give you an additional upper body workout in the form of rowing type bars.

* A treadmill. You know they say that walking is the best form of exercise we can do.

* A DVD player for you to play exercises DVD's. You can find many challenging DVD's from yoga, dancing, and even boxing type formats to keep you from getting bored.

* Stability Ball (especially useful with some of the yoga workouts)

* A mirror to watch your movements. This can be beneficial to insure that you are using the equipment correctly and that you are performing each series of movements correctly. Hopefully, this will also motivate you to keep proper balance and form.

Of course, what you purchase for your ultimate home gym will also depend on how much space you have. Not everyone will have the space for both a treadmill and a stationary bike. Yet, some people may have an abundance of space that will even cater to full sized gym equipment such as a Bow Flex or a weight bench with accompanying weight bar and weights.

Then there is the cost issue to consider. The actual exercise machines such as the treadmills, stationary bikes and the full size machines can cost a bit of money. Do you really have it to spare? Is it really worth the cost? Will you actually use the equipment or will it soon collect dust. Be honest about these things.

Items such as stability balls, exercise bands, exercise DVD's, etc are beneficial in helping one to get in shape. Yet, these items are not expensive. Should these be more of the type of items you should consider buying for your home gym? Should you at least start with some of these less expensive items to see how long your commitment will last?

A home gym is definitely a way in which many people can get into better shape. It is convenient and a lot of people feel more confident by exercising in private. If this is the way in which you think you can get into better shape, then begin thinking about what your own needs are to make your own perfect home gym today.

Treadmills are number one favored home fitness equipment according to fitness experts. Almost anyone who is interested to get in shape or stay fit are interested or considering to use or own a treadmill, this is because they are easy to use and almost anybody regardless their age and fitness level can either walk or run on a treadmill without trouble.

Treadmills come two basic types manual and motorized or electronic treadmill. Manual treadmills are most basic treadmill around, they have no fancy programs or features built in, no motor or incline built, all you get with manual is a frame with belt that you need to move it so you can exercise on it.

Considering buying manual treadmill?

Well you not alone since treadmill are very expensive, manual treadmill provides options for those with limited space and a tight budget. The cost of owning home treadmill is frightfully expensive since electronic treadmills inbuilt with motor that powers the treadmill, while increasing the cost of treadmills.

Manual treadmill in the other hand are cheaper option for many home exercisers, since manual treadmill has no motor inbuilt in the user powers the belt to move instead of motor. The treadmill is outfitted with a heavy-duty weighted flywheel and a sturdy 41.5-by-13.5-inch running belt that respond to your walking or running speed.

The faster you run, the faster the belt spins, letting you reach whatever speed is comfortable. At the same time, the treadmill isn't completely low tech, as it offers a single-button electronics display that tracks your speed, distance, time, and calories.

Drawbacks

Manual treadmills are cheaper because of its limited features and the strain it will put on your knees and hips joints. Exercising with it for long time might cause you all sorts of joint problems in the long run since you have to use your legs to move the belts.

They are usually difficult to get moving without using an extreme incline, and once moving you can't change the incline. The cheaper cost of the machine is due to less sturdy construction of the machine, is slower to exercise and difficult to operate and exercise on since the user powers the belt.

1. Buy new shoes when the foam in the mid-sole of your old shoes has gotten hard.

2. Before you go into the shoe store, find out if you walk more on the outside or inside of your feet (you can tell by looking at the wear on an old pair of athletic shoes), and if you have high arches or low arches. (Wet your feet and walk on a piece of paper to see the outline of your feet. If the part of the foot between the heel and ball appears thick, you may have low arches.) Tell the clerk about these peculiarities of your feet.

3. Show uneven wear on your old shoes (if any) to the clerk. Some shoes may be designed to minimize such wear and to compensate for the poor habits such wear may disclose.

4. Buy shoes when your feet are biggest - in the afternoon.

5. Pick a reputable shoe store with an informed staff.

6. Put on socks and other foot gear before trying on shoes.

7. The heel on the shoes should fit tightly, but your toes should have plenty of room, at least half an inch between the end of your big toe and the shoe when you're standing. The shoe should be just wide enough - so the foot fits but does not hang over.

8. Test out both shoes in a pair. Lace them up, move your feet around in the shoes. Flex your foot, extend it, rock from side to side in both shoes. Curl your toes. Make sure the shoes do not wobble when you walk in them. Check tops to see if they are symmetrical. The shoes should be flexible yet supply support.

9. Try several movements, running and jumping for instance. Make sure your feet do not slide in the shoes.

10. Inside seams should be smooth. Stitching should be complete.

When buying shoes for specific sports, keep several factors in mind: cushioning, support and stability, flexibility and durability. You are playing with variables: you can have light weight or strong support - but not both.

Walking Shoes - Look for a good tread pattern, strong support for forward movement, and spring in front cushioning for a strong push-off. Your heel can be lower to the ground than in a running shoe. Heel counter should be strong, and the shoe should be designed to keep your foot from moving side to side. Look for an upward sweep of the toe, which augments heel-toe motion. Breathable uppers keep your feet from becoming too hot.

Running Shoes - Running shoes should be lightweight and designed for forward motion. The sole of the running shoe should provide enough friction with the ground so that you don't slip, and there should be precise beveled edges on side and back soles. The shoe should arch up front and back, have elevated heels with strong heel counters, strong arch supports that work against lateral movement. It should also provide spring through air pockets and foam wedges. When you land on the heel of your front foot, enormous force is created and stored as the Achilles tendon compresses into a "spring". As you move onto the ball of your foot, the tendon pushes you ahead by expanding. Good running shoes multiply this energy storage. The heel of the shoe should be well cushioned and elevated a bit (3/4 inch higher than the sole) and the base of the heel should be wide to provide stability, at least as wide as the shoe's top. The front area should be flexible so that the shoe bends as your foot does.

I have a challenge for you. Can you put together a complete home gym kit which will help you get fit, tone up and improve your strength and flexibility for under a hundred dollars?

You might be surprised to find that it can be done - and in a number of different ways.

Although the kind of equipment which generally springs to mind when we think of a home gym such as a treadmill, elliptical trainer or multi-gym does cost hundreds of dollars per machine, you don't need to buy this type of equipment to have a fully functional home gym.

In fact there is a lot of highly effective equipment available which you can buy for very little indeed if you know what to look for.

Even if you have the budget for a fully equipped home gym, why spend your money (and take up space in your home with those huge machines) when you can do just as well with a small fitness kit which can be tucked out of sight in a small closet?

So many people spend the money on fitness equipment only to find that they don't use it after the first flush of enthusiasm wears off. If you suspect that might be you, why not start with a simple low-cost fitness kit and then buy something more substantial as a reward if you keep up your fitness program for at least 3 months.

You can get a few items which will be enough to cover all the major aspects of getting fit for less than $100 although you do need to use your budget wisely and choose those items which you will enjoy using as well as those which will be effective.

You may find that after 3 months you prefer to add other small equipment options to your kit rather than buying a big monster machine or two but who knows, a quality treadmill or multi-gym is a great investment in your health and fitness if by that time you know you have the motivation and self-discipline to use it.

The battle of elliptical vs treadmill is currently going on in every health club in the world and each piece of equipment is trying to hold the title. While each piece of equipment does have its own positives and negatives the elliptical machine is starting to emerge as the overall winner of the elliptical vs treadmill battle!

Elliptical trainers are the new player to the fitness game and were designed to combine the the functions of not only a treadmill but also that of an exercise bike and a stair climber, this in turn will give you a very effective and efficient workout. Many ellipticals also have the ability to exercise the upper body allowing you to get more workout in less time. To mix things up and have more fun with your workouts you can even run backwards on these machines and target your muscles from another angle. Ellipticals were also designed to be extremely low impact and are great for people with joint problems, back problems and even arthritis! With combined movements the elliptical machine is a great way to work your whole body, burn calories and lose fat all in a low impact workout environment.

The treadmill is the old gym standby and has been around for over 40 years and is by far the most popular piece of aerobic gym equipment in use today. The treadmill does a good job of burning calories and working the lower body but they do have some drawbacks when this debate comes up. First off the surface of the treadmill is not very low impact so people with joint problems or other aliments may find it painful to use one effectively. Second the workouts are very basic and can become boring and mundane relatively quickly. The standard treadmill also offers no upper body workout so you must use another piece of equipment for that further increasing your workout time. Although this is the best piece of equipment for training and conditioning serious runners.

With the overall ease of use combined with low impact efficient total body workouts the elliptical machine is the clear winner of the elliptical vs treadmill battle. But for training and conditioning the serious athlete the treadmill may is still the better choice.

Buying a NordicTrack recumbent exercise bike can be a good investment for some. It depends very much on what level you're at in terms of fitness and what features and programs you want. What follows is a review of the AudioRider U400 that will, hopefully, help you decide if this model is right for you.

There are currently two models of recumbent exercise bikes from NordicTrack; the SL710 and the AudioRider U400. They cost around $430 and $500 resp. Of the two you are better off buying the more expensive U400. The SL710 comes with less workout programs and with a reduced user weight capacity of 250 lbs. Its biggest selling point is its Step-In design, which means that the center of the bike has been lowered as much as possible, making it easier to get on and off. So, if getting on and off isn't an issue for you then you can dismiss the SL710.

The AudioRider U400 is a feature rich piece of kit. It comes with magnetic resistance making it very smooth and quiet. A lot of thought went into the design of the console and it shows; it's large, easy to read and understand, and it's very simple to use. Many, first-time users of stationary bikes can be either confused or intimidated by the console, but that's not going to happen with this machine; it's about as user-friendly as it gets. You get the following feedback readings; speed, time, distance, resistance, pulse, RPM, carbs burned and calories burned.

Another nice feature is the adjustable AutoBreeze fan. You can choose low, medium, high or AutoBreeze setting; AutoBreeze automatically changes the airflow to match your speed.

iFIT technology is becoming more prevalent in all sorts of fitness equipment. It's a really cool piece of software that gives great motivational output. Each card is designed by a certified personal trainer and plugs directly into the bike's console. You hear the virtual trainer's voice as you workout helping you to achieve your goals.

You can also plug in your mp3 player into the console, so you can listen to music during your workout.

This recumbent NordicTrack exercise bike comes with 20 built-in workouts; 18 Personal Trainer workouts and 2 Heart Rate workouts. The personal trainer workouts automatically adjust to keep you 'in the zone', helping to maximize your workout.

All in all, it's a feature packed piece of kit at a very competitive price. But it does have some drawbacks.

First, there's the warranty. You get one year on frame, parts and labor. While the one year on labor is pretty standard, other manufactures give 2 years on parts and 5 year, 10 year or lifetime warranties on the frame. It would be better if the warranty was longer and would help instill consumer confidence that the company stood by its products more.

Also, the seat adjustment is good but not as good as others. It would be better if the seat and pedals could be adjusted so that the feet are much higher in comparison to the shoulders, as it is the shoulders are quite a bit higher than the pedals.