Best Home Gym and Exercise Equipment

Informative display options

For top of the line models of cardio equipment, consumers should be able to view as much exercise data as possible on one large, backlight screen. If all data is not present at once on the screen, the information, such as calories burned and distance, should toggle automatically or able to be switched with the push of a button.

• Time & distance monitoring: The display should include distance traveled and total time spent exercising.
• Calories burned: This display option tells the exerciser how many calories they have burned so far.
• Resistance level: The consumer can easily see the resistance they are working against and change it as needed.

Pre-programmed fitness routines

Ideally, fitness equipment should come with several pre-programmed routines, each meant to meet certain health and fitness goals such as weight loss, fitness testing or heart health. Some cardio machines include more than 40 pre-programmed workouts.

• Routines based on biological factors: Whatever routine a consumer chooses, they should be able to input height, weight and sex so that the machine can tailor the routine to the consumer.
• Fat burning mode: People who are exercising to lose weight may require a different level of resistance than people who are exercising to maintain a healthy weight, improve heart health or gain muscle mass. Machines with “fat burn” modes combine speed, resistance, time and biological factors to provide a challenging workout.
• Heart rate controlled workouts: Some equipment includes workouts based on the percentage of your maximum heart rate during exercise. For example, keeping the resistance and speed so that your heart rate is at about 55 percent would be beneficial for overall heart health while reaching 85 percent of your maximum heart rate would be more challenging and contribute to accelerated fat loss.

Vital sign monitors

Fitness equipment should let consumers keep track of their vital signs as they are exercising so that they know they are maintaining an optimal level of exertion.

• Heart rate monitors: Most fitness equipment includes contact sensors that read your heart rate by placing your hands on the handles. Machines that can read telemetry heart rate signals allow the user to wear a compatible chest heart rate monitor and see their beats per minute on the display screen. Since heart rate training is a relatively objective way to track improvement in fitness, especially if wearing a reliable chest strap, this metric is especially important to athletes.
• Breathing rate monitors: Some equipment also measures how quickly you are breathing.
• Caloric monitors: The equipment should measure how many calories you are burning as you are working out. The formula for this number varies based on the machine and what data they ask for, but a general rule of thumb is to act as if the machine overestimates your caloric expenditure, since you would be burning some of those calories doing something else if you weren’t exercising. Plus, assuming overestimation, (in reality, you burned less than the 400 calories the machine says) allows for less junk food “rewards” after exercise.

Varying resistance levels

Fitness equipment can be set at various resistance levels to change the intensity of the workout. The greater the resistance, the harder the consumer has to work.

• Incline mode: Stair steppers, exercise bikes and treadmills all have an incline mode, which simulates walking up a hill. Top of the line treadmills reach an incline of 15 percent, and some even have a decline mode to simulate downhill running.
• Pre-programmed interval training: Many of the programs included with exercise machines include intervals, in which there is a period of intense work followed by an easier rest period.
• Push-button resistance: By pressing a button on the machine, the consumer can manually raise or lower resistance. The ability to change resistance and speed via handlebar buttons is an added plus so the changes can be made as quickly as possible.

Video displays

In addition to the informational display, some fitness equipment comes with video displays.

• Customizable videos: Some product models allow consumers to watch television, browse the Internet or use apps while exercising.

Comfort and convenience amenities

Exercise equipment sometimes provides additional features for the convenience of the people using it.

• Water bottle holder: There may be a cup holder or bottle holder on the side of the equipment so that consumers can drink water while they are exercising.
• Contoured seat: Some exercise bikes have a contoured seat with a soft back to help riders feel more comfortable while using the bike.
• Media tray: Treadmills, exercise bikes and other equipment may include media trays so that users can view tablets, phones, magazines or books while using the equipment. Ideally, this space would be above the display or any buttons so you don’t have to look down to see it.
• Fan: A built-in fan with a few different power settings is an underestimated plus in cardio machines.
• Speakers: Built-in speakers will generally play the audio of whatever it’s connected to via a 3.5mm jack, but some machines have Bluetooth speakers.

Smart data tracking

Smart data tracking is available on some models of fitness equipment, it tracks your workout progress and allows you to save the data.

• USB drive: Export workout data to a USB drive via a USB port. Insert USB drive into a computer and load data onto a specified data tracking website.
• Bluetooth or Wi-fi connectivity: Automatically sync workout data to compatible apps such as Apple Health Kit or MyFitnessPal.

Treadmills

Treadmills feature a moving surface to help consumers walk or run while remaining stationary. Treadmills come in two main forms: manual and motorized. A manual treadmill has no motor and is powered by your legs. These devices usually only have a couple of incline settings. A motorized treadmill can have anywhere between one and five horsepower. The more horsepower, the faster you’ll be able to run on the belt.

Stair steppers

These machines simulate walking up stairs. Consumers can change the resistance level to give their leg muscles a more intense workout. The most popular brand of stair steppers is the Stairmaster. Most of these machines function similarly and added features such as Bluetooth and wireless heart rate monitoring are perks.

Stationary bikes

These machines offer a bicycle riding experience while remaining stationary. When customized to fit the consumer’s body, exercise bikes can offer many of the same benefits as treadmills without putting as much pressure on the user’s knees. There are three main types of stationary bikes: recumbent, upright and indoor cycling (spinning) bikes. Recumbent bikes allow the user to be seated with back supported and legs pedaling in front of them whereas an upright bike’s pedals are below the body and the core has to keep the body stable since there is no reclined back support. Still, the user remains seated using an upright bike. Spinning bikes have a weighted flywheel, not a motor like the other types, and let the user pedal while standing up.

Rowing machines

Rowing machines work both the arms and the legs with simulated rowing. Users must coordinate arm and leg movements to push forward, often in conjunction with a virtual display.

Elliptical machines

Elliptical machines are a broad term for machines that have two footplates and two arm handles and require you to move at least your legs back and forth to burn calories. Within the elliptical category, what sets machines apart are whether or not the arm handles move and the adjustability of the footplates. Moving arm handles provides a more challenging aerobic workout and activates the upper body. Adjustable foot pedals to add an incline or increase stride length so legs best mimic running are ideal options. There are also seated ellipticals and elliptical/recumbent bike 2-in-1 machines. Some companies categorize machines with a greater range of motion and more features as “gliders” or “striders.” Steppers also have two foot plates but may not have handle bars and only provide the motion of the legs moving up and down.

Specialty Equipment

Some at-home cardio machines are novel and effective at burning calories. The Jacob’s Ladder 2 is the more compact, home version of the Jacob’s Ladder, a motorized ladder that requires the consumer to climb rungs of a ladder that continuously rotate like a stair stepper. This is a full body workout because you’re standing, using your arms and legs to climb at various speeds. The Concept 2 SkiErg mimics the motion of cross country skiing, where the user holds a strapless handle in each hand and pulls down using the hips for a full body cardiovascular and endurance workout. Multi-functional, sport-specific machines such as the Technogym Skillmill and Matrix S-Drive Performance Trainer are more suited to a fitness facility than the home due to their features being more tailored towards serious athletes.

People who want to lose weight

Most weight loss programs include exercise, and people who are trying to lose weight may find at-home fitness equipment to be a convenient option. They may work out two or three times a week in order to meet their weight loss goals.

People concerned about heart health

People who have a family history of heart disease or are recovering from their own heart disease may want to exercise in order to strengthen their heart. They may have to follow doctor’s orders about how much they can exercise or how intense the exercise can be.

People recovering from an injury

Exercise can help people recover strength in their muscles after an injury. Depending on the type and severity of the injury, exercise equipment may help aid recovery.

Athletes looking for convenience

Amateur and professional athletes may find that although they have access to gyms and/or usually train outdoors, they’ll want to train when they are home to achieve their performance goals. Weather or unwillingness to travel to the gym cannot be a factor to miss training for these athletes, thus the insurance of knowing they can train at home drives them to purchase fitness equipment.