Kenneth Gardner
YOUR CHOSEN exercise equipment invariably affects satisfaction, the possibility of injury and your participation in regular exercising. Ill-fitting or defective equipment ruins the fun.
Here are tips in selecting exercise equipment:
Shop around to find the best equipment that you can afford. Compare costs to see if bargains that are available by mail-order companies compare favourably with those on the local market when you add all the charges. Magazines, periodicals and catalogues affiliated to recreation, sports and exercise carry good prices.
Good-quality used equipment can be bought at a fraction of the retail price. Price and quality generally go together, however, you can buy good-quality equipment at less than premium prices. Do not buy without doing some research.
Where possible, it is best to buy equipment with a money-back guarantee or a free trial period. Where the equipment does not meet your expectations, you should not hesitate to return it.
Equipment that fits comfortably will enhance your enjoyment and prevent injuries. Shoes that squeeze your feet will make walking, jogging or running unbearable. The wrong size grip on a tennis racket can lead to an elbow injury. When you are shopping for exercise equipment, the time you invest in getting the information on proper fit could be as beneficial as the satisfaction you get from the equipment.
Many persons purchase expensive home exercise equipment only to have it at home as a show piece, gathering dust. If you plan to buy an expensive piece of equipment such as a treadmill, ergometer (stationary cycle) or a stair climber, it would be prudent to practise using that same equipment over a period of time at a club or gym. Then, ask yourself how often you will actually use the equipment and how long will the novelty last and can it maintain your interest? If you will use the equipment only occasionally, you are better off using the one at the gym. You should also make sure you have adequate space to use and store the equipment safely at home.
Consider the workload to which you will subject the equipment. If you hope to use it regularly, for long periods, buy a model that can accommodate the stress. It is most frustrating when the day after the warranty expires a piece of equipment doesn't work properly. Heavy-duty equipment tends to cost more but it may be worth the extra money. However, try to avoid paying for extra features that you do not need.
Equipment is designed for a variety of persons as well as for persons with superior levels of strength, fitness and skill. Equipment that is a mismatch with your level of strength can minimise your enjoyment. Footwear designed for competitive marathon runners may have less padding to protect the legs and feet from injuries, making them inappropriate for recreational runners. The equipment that you buy should be appropriate for your present skill level. Always think of safety first and make sure you are conversant with the safety features.
Kenneth Gardner is an exercise physiologist at the G. C. Foster College of Physical Education; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
