During economic downturns, gym memberships often times are one of the first things to suffer, but that doesn’t mean your health should suffer as well. Whether you are looking to cut back on your monthly expenses, or if you occasionally would like to work out without the hassle of driving anywhere, look at the list below that outlines the best exercise equipment you can purchase for your home.

Some of these items carry a sizeable price tag if purchased new from your favorite sporting goods retailer, so if you are in the market, check out Craigslist or your local pawnshop. You are bound to find better deals. Remember, though, that when purchasing used exercise equipment to make sure all parts are working and that it appears that the machine still has a good life ahead of itself.

1. Rowing Machines

Rowing is one of the best total body exercises you can do. It combines upper body strength with lower body strength to work most muscles in your body. Arms, pecs, back, legs. You name it and a rowing machine will work it.

2. Treadmills

Treadmills sometimes get a bad rap for the wear and tear people claim your knees absorb on them, but good treadmills often times are built to counter the impact. A good treadmill has a kind of bounce to it when you are running and this will sustain your knees much more than running on concrete would. Treadmills, in general, provide a great cardio workout, and the differing speeds allow you to do anything from a nice stroll to an intense sprint.

3. Exercise Bicycles

Exercise bicycles also provide a great cardio workout and, like a treadmill, can help you keep in shape during inclement weather. Bicycles are a great way to get out and see the landscape you live in, but only if you have good weather. When Mother Nature isn’t good to you, an exercise bike is the best solution. Use the tension on it to simulate climbing hills or just go out for a smooth ride and leg your legs pumping.

4. Elliptical Trainers

Elliptical trainers are essentially treadmills without the pounding on your knees. Elliptical machines also have the built in feature of adding arm movement to your run, to give you a better overall workout. For some the motion is awkward at first, but spending enough time on them will make you feel like you have been using them forever.

5. Step Machines

Want to simulate climbing to the top of the tallest building in your hometown, in the country or in the world, without leaving your house? Get on a step machine! Step machines are like treadmills, in that they have a moving belt, except in the case of step machines, the moving belt is fashioned in to steps to simulate climbing. Most modern step machines will count the number of stairs and flights you have climbed, so before hopping onto one, find out how many flights of stairs a certain building is and then challenge yourself to climb that many flights.

6. Cross Country Ski Machines

Another total body workout, cross country ski machines can simulate winter trekking. Like rowing machines, ski machines will give you a full body workout and will help you stay fit in the summer time, so that you can go exploring your favorite hiking trail in the winter months.

Hopefully this list gives you a good sense of the types of exercise machines that are out there. Most gyms should have these onsite which can allow you to test out which you like before you buy.

Keep sporting!

By: Evan Pfaff

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