Exercise equipment can be expensive. Depending on the quality and add-ons, you can spend anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. The price range depends on the type of equipment, whether it is motorized or programmable, and how many calories it burns. A few pieces of equipment have added features, such as the ability to monitor heart rate, calories burned, and time elapsed. These tools can help you track your progress and encourage you to continue.

Resistance bands can be a low-cost and portable piece of exercise equipment. They simulate walking or running and are effective for cardiovascular training. Resistance bands come in manual and electrical versions and can be purchased in several different resistance levels, from light to heavy. One of the advantages of resistance bands is that you can vary the resistance level simply by changing the position of your hands and feet on the bands.

A gym that adopts this type of equipment will promote environmental friendliness and save money on electricity bills. Several start-ups are selling equipment to retrofit existing aerobic machines with energy-producing gear. The equipment can be used to convert stationary bikes, steppers, and elliptical trainers into power-generating machines. These companies have already retrofitted hundreds of machines at health clubs across the U.S.

Before buying exercise equipment, plan where you will place it. If you have a small garage, you may not want a large exercise room full of people exercising at once. You should also consider the safety of the equipment. It can cause injury if it is not used properly. To reduce the risk of injury, use a non-slip mat to exercise on.

For the home gym, you should not invest in a shoulder press machine. There are plenty of alternatives that require less space and cost less money. Instead, you can perform handstand pushups, overhead barbell press, or a dumbbell shoulder press. The latter is a good choice for people who perform a lot of overhead movements. If you have a damaged rotator cuff, a shoulder press machine is not an ideal option.

When buying exercise equipment, think about your own personal health and fitness goals. The equipment should meet your needs and the fitness goals of your family. You may want a treadmill to improve your cardiovascular health or maintain a healthy body weight. You might also want a universal weight lifting machine for strength training. Once you know what you need, it will be easier to choose the best piece of exercise equipment for you.

Free weights are also a great choice for home gyms and commercial gyms. You can find adjustable versions of these dumbbells, which saves storage space. Dumbbells are great for strength training and endurance training and are beneficial for all fitness levels. Another popular piece of exercise equipment is the barbell. It is made from durable metal and can handle a lot of weight.