Consumers are bombarded with infomercials selling many types of products that promise amazing results with little effort. The models are recruited for their perfect muscular bodies with the message that consumers can easily get the same results.
The truth is that having a strong and fit body requires work. Regardless of the type of equipment, the consumer will need to commit to a regular exercise program to get the end result of a lean and strong body.
Because there are no “miracle machines” that magically melt away fat, strengthen muscles, and improve cardiovascular fitness, the first step is to look past the marketing strategy of a specific piece of equipment and analyze what it can really do. Most fitness equipment can be separated into two categories depending on its primary purpose including:
- Cardiovascular equipment – equipment designed to improve the cardiovascular system
- Strength equipment – equipment designed to provide some type of resistance to strengthen the muscles
Cardiovascular Equipment
Cardiovascular equipment is a broad category and includes any type of equipment that utilizes the large muscles of the body and sustains the activity for an extended amount of time. The purpose is to increase the heart rate and sustain the heart rate at a higher level thus strengthening the heart muscle.
Types of cardiovascular equipment include stationary bicycles, recumbent bikes, treadmills, rowing machines, stairclimbers, and elliptical machines. These types of pieces can focus on exercising just the lower extremities (stationary bicycle, treadmill) or can work both lower and upper extremities for a more challenging workout (rower, elliptical).
The cost varies greatly depending on the number of computerized gadgets purchased with the device. Many companies offer products with heart monitors, calorie counters, and multiple program variations. Products can be purchased for a minimal price (used piece of equipment) to products costing thousands of dollars (Bowflex Treadclimber for $2500.00).
Strength Equipment
Strength equipment is a completely different category of fitness equipment with the goal of providing some type of resistance (either weight or tension-type) to increase strength and size of muscles. Although the primary goal of strength equipment is not to target the cardiovascular system, if strength equipment is used at a moderate pace the heart rate can be increased and therefore get a secondary benefit to the cardiovascular system.
Strength equipment on the low cost end typically includes dumbbells, barbells, and weight benches. However, the cost can drastically increase when considering larger weight lifting machines that have the capability to work all of the muscles of the body (Universal machine, Bowflex).
Purchasing Exercise Equipment
The consumer does not have to spend a lot of money on highly technical equipment to get the benefit of strength training or cardiovascular fitness. Although cardiovascular equipment is fairly basic (bicycle, treadmill), strength training can lead to injuries if not properly done. A brief session with a professional can provide the consumer with knowledge of how to correctly and safely use dumbbells and barbells to work all of the major muscles of the body.
The consumer can purchase both new and/or used exercise equipment to meet their goals. There is often advertisement for exercise equipment for sale both in local newspapers and on the internet.
Another option is to purchase used equipment from garage sales or friends. This is a good option for the purchase of barbells and dumbbells, but caution should be used when purchasing major pieces of exercise equipment that have not been checked or certified by a professional.
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