Creating Home Fitness Solutions That Work
Times are tough and consumers need to exercise laser sharp thinking when it comes to making purchasing choices. It’s not entirely about sacrificing everything you desire at the altar of frugality, but about maximising your buying power and capitalising on what you have and what you know.
We live in an era of information abundance, sometimes to the point of becoming overwhelmed and helpless in the face of information overload. The key is to do your homework, know your limits and partner with trusted professionals who can guide you and provide you with ongoing customer support.
For many, making the decision to purchase a piece of home fitness equipment is a daunting one. For some it will be the first step towards taking control of their health and wellness. An act that can be lifesaving. For others it may simply be an extension of an already well established fitness habit. Either way for everyone who walks through the door there is a different story and a different need to be satisfied. Our directive? To educate and to ensure that your purchase meets your needs. Making the wrong choice, has financial implications and can become one more stumbling block to achieving your health and wellness goals.
Some things to think about.
1. What do you want to achieve? Do you want to lose weight? Do you want to change your body shape? Is there a health problem you want to overcome? Do you want to improve your fitness levels and increase your energy?
Knowing your ‘why’ is crucial for ensuring long term commitment and for selecting the most appropriate fitness tool. Wanting to lose weight? Then equipment that provides a good cardiovascular work-out is a sound investment – treadmills, elliptical trainers, and spinning cycles are but some of the options available to you. Want to change your shape? Then resistance training is key and a multi-gym, or a bench and weights is the way to go.
2. What do you enjoy doing? People wrongly assume that exercise must be a sacrifice. Enjoyment is key for long term sustainability. If you’ve been to the gym in the past, which machines did you most enjoy using? When you were a child what physical activities brought you the most joy? When you channel surf which fitness activities make you pause and consider adding it to your bucket list?
If you’re unsure, experiment. Make use of free gym promotions and try out the equipment on offer. Join friends and family on their exercise jaunts and see what speaks to you and what just shouts “hell no!’
3. Where do you intend to use it? How much space do you have available and how much room is there for manoeuvring? If you’re 6-foot-tall but have a shoebox sized space for your treadmill you might end up with a machine with a too short running deck – leaving you with the constant worry that you’re about to become intimately acquainted with your wall.
4. Who will be using it? Weight load and estimated usage are all relevant factors when selecting equipment and determining its projected life span. If you’re looking to maximise your benefits, you might want to consider opting for a machine that will be enjoyable for the whole family. Exercising together provides both health benefits and bonding opportunities – and sometimes it’s just fun to watch loved ones sweat!
Thinking through these questions will assist both you and the fitness professional to make a choice that suits your lifestyle, meets your needs and becomes a sound long-term investment.
