The scientific proof is overwhelming, if you are not taking regular exercise then you are going to die younger than you should. Harsh but true :-) The general population knows this all too well but many of us continue to spend our entire day sitting behind a desk and our evenings sat on the couch in front of the television.

The human body has evolved over thousands of years to be used for physical tasks for which we now say we have no time for. But if we want to be a picture of health we need to get into the routine of taking daily exercise.

Although it can seem daunting to get started on a workout schedule when the whole thing is new to us it really is quite simple. To begin its as simple as putting on a pair of trainers and getting out in the fresh air and taking a walk. When we get more comfortable with things we can take it a bit more seriously and maybe purchase some sort of exercise equipment such as an elliptical trainer or a cheap treadmill.

I love having my own exercise equipment in my house that I can use whenever I want but many people argue that I is better to join a gym or to simple go outdoor running. While these individuals raise a valid point I consider my own exercise equipment to being essential for my fitness regime.


If you live somewhere with an incredible climate you may find you can get by without any equipment at all and just rely on the great outdoors for all the exercise you need. However, where I live the weather is often so bad that going outside to run is just not an option. Also sometimes I just feel like having a quick session that I can start and stop whenever I feel like.

On top of this I often need to be around the house to keep an eye on the kids, on these occasions its a session on the tredmill or no workout at all.

Gym membership is of course an option, but maybe you don't have a gym close to your home and at any rate the cost of gym membership can be prohibitive. On top of that I often can't be bothered lifting all my gear down to the gym for a quick workout, doing it at home is so much more convenient.

When you decide to buy an exercise machine for your home there are many things to take into consideration such as:

1. How much you are willing to spend

2. How much space you have in your home to house the device

3. Which exercise provides training that will carry over to your every day life

4. Consider which exercise equipment you may prefer to use over the long term

5. Do you have any injuries which you prevent you from using certain machines


At the end of the day the equipment you choose will be down to personal preference but I always advise people to take a close look at the possibility of picking up a cheap treadmill. Treadmills are generally considered to be too expensive for those of us on a budget and it is true that the best machines are very costly when new. However you can pick them up pretty cheap these days if you are willing to get a second hand model and to shop around to find the treadmill you want.

Buying used treadmill machines can be a rewarding experience as there is nothing better than feeling you picked up a bargain. Also, many people how buy treadmills do so on a whim and end up using them vary rarely so its possible to get a machine in mint condition for a cheap price.

The important thing is to not rush out and buy the first electric treadmill you set your eyes upon. Do research to find out which models are worth having. Many cheaper treadmills are not built to last so you'll want to stay away from them and concentrate on the quality merchandise.

A very useful device that I recommend to anyone who is taking up a new exercise regime is a heart monitor watch. Whether your choice of cardiovascular exercise is a treadmill, running outdoors or on an elliptical trainer, heart monitor watches are an essential accessory. They are crucial for letting you know exactly how hard you are working during a workout so you can adjust the intensity of exercise to ensure you are working out for optimum gains. By allowing you to make sure you are maintaining a constant effort throughout your session you will see great gains in the quality of your workouts resulting in massivley improved fitness.

A Quality heart monitor will also allow you to examine your recovery time and will let you know how many calories have been burnt during a workout session.