How to buy exercise equipment

Good exercise equipment can be expensive but you should also take other factors into account before buying. One important consideration is the amount of space you want to devote to the piece of equipment you're considering. A treadmill or elliptical machine can easily take up as much space as a couch. Still, more Americans regularly work out on a treadmill than on any other type of exercise machine and ellipticals are growing in popularity.

Before you shop
It's best not to buy such a large, big-ticket item on a whim. So before you even go to the store, take stock of how much you want to spend and how much space you want to use. And perhaps most important, decide how and how often you'll use the equipment.

Consider your space Elliptical exercisers, most of which do not fold, and nonfolding treadmills are hard to move and take up as much floor space as a couch or dining room table. If your workout room does double duty, a folding treadmill can save you about six-square-feet.

Consider the cost We've found in recent treadmill tests that you have to spend well over $2,000 to get a machine designed for serious runners, though lower-priced models are okay for walkers. We tested elliptical exercisers that cost as much as our high-scoring treadmills and found the same thing. Ellipticals that cost $2,000 and up were well-built and felt stable to our testers, more like the $5,000 machines at gyms. And they were less likely to have defects.

In the Ratings of treadmills and ellipticals, the quality score for less-expensive models reflects the severity and frequency of those problems. Most of the trouble we experienced would be covered under warranty, but it can take weeks and multiple phone calls to get a machine fixed—enough time to discourage even passionate exercisers. By contrast, the machines we bought for $2,000 and more through specialty fitness equipment stores had very few defects.

Consider your workout intensity
For treadmills, if you usually walk rather than run, any of the tested models will suffice. Decide based on your budget and the features you want. If you run, sturdy construction is paramount. Choose from the models that scored at least very good in quality in the treadmill Ratings. The more expensive ellipticals in our Ratings tend to feel more solid, operate more smoothly, and have more features than the under-$1,000 models. You might also get superior ergonomics, a wide range of features, and a more generous warranty.

Ready to shop
Once you know what type of equipment you want, you're ready to shop. You'll find budget and mid-priced treadmills in Sears, The Sports Authority, Wal-Mart, and other discount and sporting-goods chains. Moderately priced brands such as Horizon Fitness, Schwinn, Trimline, and Vision Fitness, and more expensive brands such as Landice, Life Fitness, Nautilus, Precor, and True are sold in specialty sporting-goods stores. No matter where you shop, here are some tips to follow.

Try it out first
Every model is a little different, so you shouldn't buy a treadmill or elliptical before using it in the store. That's especially important with elliptical exercisers because the movement is less familiar than walking or running, and each machine has a slightly different pedaling profile.

Decide which features you'll use
Some equipment features, such as exercise programs, can make a workout more varied and less boring, which might get you on the machine more often. But don't pay for frills that you don't care about.

Make sure you can change your mind
Because each machine has its own feel, try it out before you buy and make sure the store will let you return it if you dislike using it. See our Ratings and recommendations for some suggestions.

Other shopping options
If you decide you'd like something other than a treadmill or elliptical, be wary of any relatively inexpensive exercise devices sold on TV or online.

Read the fine print
Most of the "amazing results!" shown in infomercials for exercise devices are footnoted as "not typical" or result from an overall "system" that includes a diet plan and, in many cases, additional aerobic exercise. (Our nutrition experts reviewed the diets and found that although they differ in the strictness of their meal plans, most are sensible.)

Calculate the total cost
Unless the price includes shipping, expect to pay an additional $20 to $50 plus any sales tax.

Don't confuse toning with weight loss
These devices might help you to tone or tighten the target area, and building muscle does increase the rate at which you burn calories, but to shed pounds you'll need a change in diet, regular aerobic activity (running, cycling, swimming), or both. Even workouts on the total-body machines aren't vigorous enough to yield an aerobic benefit.

Consider do-it-yourself options
Most of the machines mimic movements you can do on your own or with far-less- expensive equipment, such as weights and resistance bands. They come with instructions, but you can get that with an exercise video or book.

Beware of trials
A "30-day money-back guarantee" sounds good, but returning the product might not be easy. Some of the machines are heavy or bulky, and you might have to pay for return shipping, which could cost $90 or more for the larger products.

Before signing up for a trial, verify with the company the proper return address and how soon you can expect a refund if you send the device back. A scan of online complaints about home fitness equipment revealed that reported problems with returns, including lack of a valid return address or exorbitant shipping charges, were common.

See also:

Treadmills

Infomercial exercisers

Pedometers

Exercise equipment