Some are advertised in infomercials. Others are staples of the at-home workout. Whatever you choose, exercise equipment is only effective if you use it, local fitness experts said.
We put a personal training expert on the spot to find out which items — from a stability ball to the Bowflex system to pony-tailed Tony Little’s ubiquitous Gazelle — are worthy of inclusion in a home gym.
Bowflex Home Gym Series by Nautilus
Cost: Ranges from $899 to $2,799, depending on the model, at bowflex.com
How it works: By manipulating a system of rods and pulleys, users can simulate a weight-lifting workout, according to personal training expert and fitness author Michael Sena.
Effectiveness: The Bowflex systems can be extremely useful, Sena said, but only if used properly.
“Nothing works if it’s stashed in your closet or covered with clothing,” said Sena, who oversees the personal training program at Chicago-based Xsport Fitness. Even if you are diligent about it, don’t expect the chiseled bodies flaunted in those TV commercials, Sena warned. “What I don’t like is the claim they make that you can train for 20 minutes, three times a week and the assumption is you’ll look like these people in the commercials,” Sena said. “I’d recommend you use it for three hours a week in order to see changes in your body, and even then, it will not be that extreme of a transformation unless you are also dieting and doing other exercise.”
Fitness Quest Tony Little Gazelle Freestyle Elliptical Trainer
Cost: Ranges. Available for $189.99 at fitnessquest.com
How it works: Users put their feet on the pedals, grab the poles and alternate moving their feet and hands back and forth in a gliding motion.
Effectiveness: Sena said it’s good that the Gazelle encourages users to move but warned that the device doesn’t offer the most effective workout long-term.
“It’s a very repetitive motion, and there are very limited options because you are just going back and forth,” Sena said, calling the Gazelle a “waste of money.” “Muscles have to go through a range of motion in order to change.”
Treadmill
Cost: Ranges. Available from $99.99 for a manual, fold-up model to $4,999.99 for a commercial model with heart-rate monitor at sportsauthority.com
How it works: Walk, jog or run in place and can adjust the virtual steepness or speed.
Effectiveness: Sena said treadmills are “excellent.” But he warned that you should never randomly select a home treadmill.
“You need to go into a store that specializes in fitness equipment and match a treadmill to your height, body weight and budget,” Sena said.
Stability Ball
Cost: Ranges. Approximately $20 to $25. Available at sportsauthority.com
How it works: Sit on the ball and add resistance to feats such as sit-ups or push-ups; place legs on the ball to mix up push-up routines, or hold the inflated device while performing squats.
Effectiveness: “Stability balls are tremendous and one of the greatest inventions ever made,” Sena said. “It’s a great strength training tool and total body tool for your upper body, lower body and your core. It also helps with balance enhancement.”
Red XL Exerciser
Cost: Ranges. Available for $96.99 at target.com and $98.77 at walmart.com
How it works: You sit on the red cushion, twisting your body from side to side with legs in the air. You can do approximately 24 different moves using the equipment, according to a description on the Wal-Mart site.
Effectiveness: “You sit down and waste money on it and that’s about it,” Sena said. “There is a limited range of motion, and it doesn’t trim your waist or increase your muscularity, in my opinion.”
Ab Trainer Abdominal Rocker
Cost: Ranges. Available for $79.99 at store.net2fitness.com and $83.99 at amazon.com
How it works: Helps user perform crunch exercises. “Complete head and neck support allows safe abdominal isolation,” according to a product description on store.net2fitness.com.
Effectiveness: “The problem with it is that it doesn’t allow you to do crunches properly,” Sena said. “Your ability or inability to do abdominal movement is indication of how weak your lower back is, so you don’t want to cheat with equipment that adds momentum and assistance you shouldn’t have.”
