Exercise is proven to prevent many chronic conditions. Heart disease, high blood pressure, dementia, and diabetes all respond well to regular exercise. Fitness is a step beyond; it requires regular performance of both aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Good fitness levels can be obtained by doing calisthenics, but most folks prefer a safer and more weather-friendly method. This means setting aside space for a home gym.

The first element of any home gym is the choice of aerobic exercise equipment. There are several choices, depending on the space and resources available. The compact and economical solution is an upright exercise bike. They take up little space and are easily moved when necessary. Sitting on the narrow and confining seat can be uncomfortable, however. The best solution to that problem is a recumbent bike. The chair-like seating position is much less stressful than the saddle of an upright bike, and one can read or watch TV while exercising. Both bikes have the advantage of being low-impact, since there is no weight on the joints.

Another popular type of aerobic exercise equipment is the powered treadmill. They can be adjusted to deliver anything from a slow walk to an all-out sprint. They do place a load on the joints, but most treadmills have a shock-absorbing platform that reduces impact compared to walking or running on pavement. Another popular machine is the elliptical trainer. It is designed to replicate the path followed by the foot when running. It does place a load on the joints from standing, but is less stressful than a treadmill.

There are two other candidates for aerobic training. One is the stair-stepper, but today it is used mostly for firming the butt muscles. It isn’t really suitable for genuine aerobic exercise. Another is the rowing machine. A rowing machine gives an excellent aerobic workout, and is low impact. It has the advantage of working both the upper and lower body, but it can place stress on the back.

Proper fitness training requires the development of strength as well. Barbells or dumbbells can provide a worthwhile workout, but a resistance training machine makes the routine go more quickly. These vary from universal machines with several stations, using weights and pulleys, to high-tech devices dependent on elastic resistance. These modern machines are light in weight, and usually collapsible for storage. Some of them are surprisingly inexpensive.

By: Joanell Hutchinson

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