2. What type of equipment do you really need?
Whether your goals include muscle toning, weight loss, strength or cardiovascular training, the type of equipment you purchase will be an important factor in determining the success you achieve with your goals. Ready to Exercise will feature a monthly focus on equipment types useful in determining which are better and for what reasons. Ready To Exercise also provides a free exercise equipment orientation to all Premium Members, either in person (for Colorado Front Range Members) or by phone.

3. Who will be using the equipment?
Make sure you identify all members of your family and friends that might want to enjoy the benefits of your new equipment. Make sure the equipment can accommodate a wide variety of needs, as they will vary from person to person. Gender, age and body types will all be important in establishing the flexibility of the exercise equipment with respect to proper fit and proper range of motion.

4. Space for your equipment
Take a hard look at your space requirements. Exercise equipment manufacturers refer to this as the "footprint". For example, the typical footprint of a Bowflex^® Xtreme² might be 3'x4'. Always factor in the measured distance of active parts of the gym or cardio equipment. For example, an elliptical trainer may have a footprint of 6' x 2.5' wide. However, while in use, the active footprint is closer to 7'x 3' .because of the linkage arms moving forward and your arms moving out from the center.. Also keep in mind the availability of outlets in the room as you are planning the layout for your equipment. Some units plug in from the front and some from behind, and this might determine in what direction the equipment faces.

5. Quality vs. Price.
Always do your homework by checking hardcopy or internet sources for information on consumer best buys. Most of the time, the categories used will be separated by price lines. Compare what you are looking for and identify those winners with the local equipment manufacturers so that you can go and see them in person.

Quality is a term that can be used very loosely in the world of exercise equipment. Manufacturers of mass-produced lower-end products sometimes overuse the term "quality" in their product advertisements. This can be very misleading because they are almost always referring to quality within that low priceline, which is almost an oxymoron. Quality should always stand for something that is made with the consumer in mind, paying special attention to ease of use, good biomechanics, and most importantly, the quality of service you will be receiving from the company you decide to purchase from.

This quality can vary from retailer to retailer and certainly has given rise to the trend of specialty fitness stores where you are most likely going to get a higher level of quality than a box store will give you.

Not all exercise equipment manufacturers are the same.

In this world of mass-produced items and superstores, we as consumers of exercise equipment are almost overwhelmed with choices of where to buy and for how much. Deceptive advertising techniques are prevalent with online stores, and most complaints from consumers who are not satisfied with their exercise purchase have usually purchased online.

Make Sure it Fits!

Equipment Manufacturers vary to a great degree on the biomechanics or fit capability on their machines. This is one area to pay close attention to when deciding on quality versus price. Most specialty fitness stores will provide equipment with a better fit and feel than lower priced box stores. Special attention should be taken and pointed out in regards to the manufacturer's ability to provide comfortable pads, rollers, easy adjustments that can dial in the range of motion and correct angle for your specific height and extension and flexion length of extremities.

Motivation / Exercise Adherence Factor

Whether you are choosing exercise equipment to help with weight loss, cardiovascular health, strength and performance benefits or a combination of any of these, the fact remains that the best chance you have in sticking to your scheduled goals is by making sure that your consistantly being motivated to use the equipment. This is why you need to make sure that the equipment is comfortable and easy to use while performing all of the functions you desire.

Prepare to spend at least 10-20 minutes in the store, working out on the equipment you are interested in purchasing. Come prepared with comfortable shoes, loose enough clothing to work out in, and a desire to set the resistance level at or near that level you would use while you were working out. This is the best chance you have in finding out whether you really feel good working out on this chosen piece of equipment. If the store is not interested in welcoming you to try the equipment in this manner, then I suggest that you find another retailer that is.

Also as important as the overall look and feel of the equipment is the workout program options the manufacturer supplies. While most people will say that they are really not interested in the ''bells and whistles'' of the workout programs, they are overlooking an important factor in enhancing the motivation and adherence to successfully using it in the long run.

Along with the basic manual program that almost all workout consoles provide, pay close attention to the types of programmed workouts the unit offers such as random, hill intervals, fat burning, heart rate control programs, and others. This will definitely keep the workout routine from becoming boring as you should find 3 or 4 programs that you like using and switch the routine periodically to keep it fresh.

Always remember the well-used verse of "form follows function" when you are looking to purchase exercise equipment. Never let looks determine the purchase and make sure it is well built and well performing.

That's the best chance you have of not using your new equipment as an expensive coat rack!!!!