How to Buy

Exercise Bike
1. On manual resistance bikes, look for a flywheel that is heavy enough to offer a smooth ride. 2. Make sure the drivetrain is accessible for maintenance. A low maintenance design is preferred 3. The handle bars and seat should be comfortably padded and offer enough adjustability to accommodate a wide range of user sizes and positions. 4. Programs should include manual and user programs that the rider can create. Heart rate interactive programs 5. A large easy to read console with multi window . . . more

Treadmills
1. Motors are the heart of a treadmill. Look for a minimum continuous rating of 1.5 HP. Be careful because some manufacturers rate their treadmills as peak or intermittent horsepower. American made motors are preferred (not offshore) and should be fan cooled. Motors with lower RPM (4200 and lower) will be smoother and last longer. 2. The suspension of a treadmill should always be between the deck and the frame. Avoid designs that use the feet for suspension. Good suspension cushions impact and reduces . . . more

Home Gym
1. A heavy-duty steel frame construction will provide a long-lasting, safe and stable machine. 2. Home gyms should be easy to use. They should not require any cable or pulley adjustments when moving from one exercise to another. 3. The cables should be of aircraft quality with a 2000 lb test strength and coated in nylon, while the pulleys should have sealed ball bearings for durability and smoothness. Non-coated cables and pulleys without bearings do not last as long and are not as smooth to use 4. Since . . . more

Elliptical Trainer
1. The most important feature of an elliptical trainer is how it feels. Make sure the motion feels smooth, without any jerking or unnatural movement. 2. Comfort is also key. Ensure that the unit is comfortable to get on and off, and easy to use. 3. The design of the elliptical trainer is very important. A better designed unit will allow your feet to remain in contact with the pedal during the entire workout while others could cause the heel to come off the pedal. Full foot contact during the elliptical . . . more