If you don’t want to spend the money for a gym membership (or if you simply prefer to work out at home), you will probably invest in some exercise equipment at some point. Are you unsure which pieces would provide the most benefits for the cost? Take a look at the options below and see if they suit your budget and fitness goals:
Treadmill
Treadmills are great additions to your home gym, simply because they are easy to use and offer a great workout no matter your level of fitness. Some treadmills can be quite large and require a fair amount of space, but there are also smaller models that can fit in confined spaces. Treadmills usually have adjustable settings that allow you to change the incline (like you are walking up a hill), speed, distance, and some of them even measure your heart rate, calories burned, and other stats. Treadmills vary widely in cost, between a few hundred dollars and a few thousand dollars.
Stationary Bicycle
A stationary bike requires even less room in your home than a treadmill and will probably be quieter, if noise is a concern. If you like to read or write while working out, a bike makes this easier than a treadmill. Some bikes also allow you to adjust the level of resistance (similar to incline adjustments on treadmills), monitor your heart rate, calories burned, distance biked, and more. Also like treadmills, stationary bikes can vary in cost, from hundreds to thousands.
Elliptical Machine
Elliptical machines are like a combination between a cross-country ski machine and a stair-climbing machine, the pedals moving in a circular up and down and forward and back movement as you stand on them; and most elliptical machines also have poles that move in tandem with the pedals so you can work your upper body at the same time. Elliptical machines offer a great workout but are low-impact and therefore easy on the joints. They are also quiet and space-saving, and usually cost between $100 and several hundred dollars.
Weight Training Machine
The previous three exercise machines are great for cardio workouts, but what about weight training? Yes, there are even weight training machines for your home. Most often these have weights hooked up to a cord-and-pulley system, and you can adjust how much weight you want to lift. However, there are also smaller benches and machines that can help you focus on specific areas of your body, like abdomen, legs, and arms. The cost of home weight training machines varies widely depending on how elaborate you want to get. Most general setups will cost between $500 and $2000.
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