Fitness Equipment Quiz: What Do You Really Need?

Question 1: What is your budget?

Your Answer: Very low - I need to get fit without spending too much

A low budget does not mean you can't get fit - you can do a whole lot for your cardio fitness as long as you have a comfortable pair of walking shoes or some good running shoes. As for strength training, you can get strong using exercises like push ups which use only your body weight.

Question 1: What is your budget?

Your Answer: I have a bit to spend but not thousands

If you don't want to spend too much avoid the more complex electronic cardio fitness equipment where you get what you pay for - you are likely to be disappointed with the quality and sturdiness of some of the the machines on offer. If you have the space, you can opt for something like a rower or exercise bike and get reasonable quality - or just go for a fitness kit with equipment like a rebounder and/or step. For strength training, instead of an expensive multi-gym you could use a set of hand weights with a bench or use resistance bands for a no space option.

Question 1: What is your budget?

Your Answer: I have the budget to get the best

You can go to town with top of the range cardio machines designed for home use - the good news is you get what you pay for so you really can get a quality workout if you're prepared to pay for it. A treadmill is great if you have the space, however if you hate running or if you have joint problems a smooth running elliptical trainer would be best. One of those multi gyms would be great too for getting your muscles in shape. If space is a problem, opt to pay for a personal trainer and gym membership instead.

Question 2: How much space do you have at home?

Your Answer: No room to swing a cat

If you have no space, storage is a high priority. You can get foldable machines but they still take up a lot of space - check out the dimensions before purchase. But I like the idea of getting fit anywhere so that you can pack your kit in a suitcase if necessary and take it anywhere! That means a good pair of shoes and maybe some stretch resistance bands.

Question 2: How much space do you have at home?

Your Answer: Large corner of a room

If you have a spare corner the foldable exercise machines become an option - alternatively go for a rebounder which you can stack against the wall or spirit away under the bed. You can tuck a set of hand weights, a weighted medicine ball or some resistance bands in anywhere too for a good workout on your muscles.

Question 2: How much space do you have at home?

Your Answer: A whole room to dedicate to getting fit

Oh the luxury of a room where you can pop in and jump on a treadmill or elliptical trainer without having to set up the equipment. Having everything on hand will help your motivation no end. Even if your budget is low and those machines are too expensive it's great to be able to leave your equipment out - there's more chance that you will use it.

Question 3: What are your fitness goals?

Your Answer: Cardio fitness or general health

Choose from walking or running shoes, a skipping rope, a rebounder, a step or any of the motorized machines such as a treadmill, elliptical trainer, rower or exercise bike depending on your space or budget.

Don't forget that having some strength and muscle tone is part of fitness for general health too and a gentle program with hand weights or resistance bands would help you too.

Question 3: What are your fitness goals?

Your Answer: Strength or muscle building

Choose between hand weights (with may be a training bench), resistance bands and/or a multi gym depending on your space and budget.

Don't forget that you need cardio fitness for health no matter how strong you are - it's the exercise that will strengthen the muscle you can't afford to be weak - your heart muscle. Make sure you take some form of cardio exercise at least 3 times a week. (Brisk walking is fine!)

Question 3: What are your fitness goals?

Your Answer: Weight loss and shaping up

For weight loss you need both cardio (to burn calories) and muscle tone (to tone up flabby muscles and burn fat faster).

For cardio, choose from walking or running shoes, a rebounder, a step or any of the motorized machines such as a treadmill, elliptical trainer, rower or exercise bike depending on your space or budget. Or just find a sport you love and enjoy it three times a week (playing not watching that is!)

For strength and muscle toning choose a gentle program with hand weights or resistance bands to get your muscles burning fat.

Question 3: What are your fitness goals?

Your Answer: More than one of these

That's great! Everyone NEEDS both cardio fitness and muscle tone to function at 100% fitness - choose from the range of cardio exercise equipment AND from the available options to build your strength. (And if you have a few pounds to lose this will help you too).

For cardio, choose from walking or running shoes, a rebounder, a step or any of the motorized machines such as a treadmill, elliptical trainer, rower or exercise bike depending on your space or budget. Or just find a sport you love and enjoy it three times a week (playing not watching that is!)

For strength and muscle toning choose a multi gym, or if your space and budge don't allow that try hand weights, resistance bands or free exercises using your body weight only.

Question 4: How fit are you right now?

Your Answer: I could maybe run for a minute but not much more

If you are pretty unfit you need to start slowly - it's no good going mad and injuring yourself.

The easiest cardio exercise for beginners is walking - you can do it anywhere and you don't need special equipment other than comfortable shoes. If you have the budget a pedometer and/or heart rate monitor can help motivate you as you see how much progress you are making.

For strength building start with light weights (even bottles of water or baked bean cans) and increase the resistance as your muscles get stronger.

Question 4: How fit are you right now?

Your Answer: I exercise 3 times a week or more (at least when I can)

You're doing quite well already so it's up to you if you want to step up the pace or just maintain it. You might find it easier to keep up your three sessions if you have exercise equipment rght at home - lack of time to get to the gym is less likely to defeat you.

One thing you may like to do is make sure you have both cardio and strength training covered. You can do both while you are at the gym or make sure you have some equipment to follow an exercise routine at home.

Question 4: How fit are you right now?

Your Answer: I'm in great shape and I want to stay that way

Peak fitness - that's fantastic! You know how good that feels.

The only danger here is in stagnation because in fitness things never stay the same. Take care to VARY your exercise routine so that your body never gets that chance to acclimatize to any one group of exercises.

Exercise in as many different ways as you can, vary the way you use equipment and the equipment you choose and try different sports.

Keep your body guessing and it will continue to maintain peak form.

Question 5: Do you like exercise?

Your Answer: Not much, I tend to avoid it

Unfortunately, sometimes we have to do stuff just for the sake of our health whether or not we like it (going to the dentist, having those shots etc)

But you can make it easier on yourself by choosing equipment you like to use (or dislike less!) Don't choose any equipment you can't see yourself using - it will become a dust-collector very quickly.

Having fitness equipment at home might help you beat your lack of interest in exercise especially if you exercise to music you like or pop your equipment in front of the TV. And you don't have to drag yourself to the gym!

Question 5: Do you like exercise?

Your Answer: It's a necessary evil. But I'm OK once I get going.

If getting going is a problem, having exercise equipment at home is a great solution. Schedule a time to use it (maybe while your favorite TV show is on - you only get to watch if you exercise at the same time!) and stick to it.

Choose fitness equipment which will be a pleasure to use too. Don't buy something which will become a drag and end up collecting dust. For me I love to use a rebounder and I hate using an exercise cycle - you may be different. Buy the equipment you can most see yourself using.

Question 5: Do you like exercise?

Your Answer: Yes, it makes me feel good

If you like to exercise then just select the equipment which appeals to you the most - you know you will use it.

If building up cardio fitness is your goal, equipment which can take you up through a whole range of fitness levels is great - look at the better treadmills or elliptical trainers if you have the space and budget.

If not it's well worth investing in a great heart rate monitor, this will let you see how fit you are getting - as your heart gets stronger your resting heart rate reduces and your speed of recovery after exercise increases.

For strength training look at a multi gym which gives you many exercise opportunities or start to build up a library of different exercises to follow with hand weights if budget and space do not allow for that.