MJ GEAR GUIDE: The Right Home Gym Equipment

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The Right Home Gym Equipment
If you're throwing away money on a gym membership that you rarely use, BRING YOUR FITNESS ROUTINE HOME. These best-of-breed cardio and strength-training machines let you work out on your own schedule.

"The only way to maximize your workout and save time is to do it at home," says Norm Morrison, product manager for Gym Source. More and more people are making that realization. The home fitness equipment business surpassed the $5 billion mark for the first time last year. While the convenience of working out under your own roof no doubt explains that figure, so does the availability of machines once found only in gyms. "The quality of the equipment -- across the board -- has gone up," says Todd Durkin, a two-time personal trainer of the year. Look for innovative, ergonomic, and stylish devices while creating your setup, factor in both cardio and strength training needs, then add a few accessories to fight boredom. The memory of waiting to use your old gym's incline bench will disappear as quickly as your none-too-solid abs. --Steve Steinberg

WEIGHT TRAINING | Build muscle on a budget or own a setup that's better than your gym's.

HOIST FITNESS HF4165 Bench
Affordable, versatile, and relatively compact, this adjustable bench lets you hit your chest and shoulders with everything from a decline press to an overhead military press. And if you want to do decline bench crunches to rip your abs, take note: It dips to a Đ20-degree angle, a deeper position than many more expensive commercial benches. [$329; hoistfitness.com]
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PARAMOUNT FITNESS PFT-200
Because the PFT-200's two pulley arms adjust both vertically and horizontally, you can challenge your body from an almost infinite number of angles. Each pulley also has its own weight stack, a great feature for rehabbing injuries or reducing strong-side/weak-side imbalances. [$3,895; paramountfitness.com]
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TUFFSTUFF AXT-2
For the size and price it's tough to beat the AXT-2's versatility. The clever design lets you hit every major muscle group on a streamlined unit without forcing you to sacrifice comfort or proper form. The optional leg press (not shown) feels sturdy during lower-body exercises, which isn't the case with cheaper alternatives. [$1,599, $749 for leg press; tuffstuff.net]
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CARDIO TRAINING | Running, rowing, and spinning build stronger hearts and healthier lungs.

Treadmill
CYBEX Pro+
Whether you're training for a marathon or simply looking to add a brisk walk to your morning routine, a treadmill is an ideal place to start. Gyms buy Cybex's Pro+ when they're tired of their old treadmills breaking down. Push yourself by maxing the incline to 15 percent, or take advantage of the rare indoor option of running at a decline -- up to Đ2 percent -- to better simulate outdoor running conditions. If the price tag gives you pause, know that by buying this machine, you're doing it right. [$6,995; ecybex.com]
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Elliptical Machine
TRUE STRIDER TS1
Not only does an elliptical provide an excellent cardio workout, it's a low-impact alternative to a treadmill. The TS1's stride is less circular than most ellipticals, with tighter spacing between the pedals (2 ins instead of 4 or 5). That combination encourages a more natural walking or running gait that's easier on the joints. [$5,995; truefitness.com]
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Rowing Machine
WATERROWER Oxbridge
More so than running or biking, rowing delivers a superior full-body workout. WaterRower's unique water-filled "flywheel" delivers a realistic rowing feel by adjusting resistance automatically. [$1,295; waterower.com]
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Spinning Bike
SCHWINN Evolution SR
On most spinning bikes, slowing and stopping -- with pedals that are still turning at high speed -- can put both your knees and Achilles tendons at risk. As on a fixed-gear bike, pushing back on the Evolution SR's pedals instantly stops the wheel from spinning. A basic concept, yes, but one your tired legs will appreciate. [$1,299; nautilus.com]
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TRAINING TOOLS | For less than $100 any of these balls will add variety to your push-ups, crunches, or stretching routine.

BOSU Balance Trainer
Exercising while standing on this half-a-stability ball strengthens your core and improves balance while you work the rest of your body ($99; bosu.com)

EVERLAST Medicine Balls
Tone your midsection with these 9-, 12-, and 15-lb balls. Unlike other models, these maintain their shape and centered balance (from $45; everlast.com).

RESIST-A-BALL Stability Ball
Sit on an inflatable stability ball while you do crunches. It's quite possibly the most effective way to build your core (from $16; power-systems.com).

GYM RAT ESSENTIALS | Accessories to round out your regimen

BUDDY LEE Rope Master
A swivel bearing system in the rope's handles reduces friction and tangles ($28; buddyleejumpropes.com).

AEROMAT Folding Mat
Own your own mat so you never have to stretch in someone else's stale sweat and bacteria (from $75; aeromats.com).

HAMPTON FITNESS Three-Tier Weight Rack
Stack weights along a wall -- or upgrade to this rack that holds 24 dumbbells (from $495; gymsource.com).

Photographs by: Michael Pirrocco (training tools, rope master, folding mat) ; Jeff Harris (weight rack)
(October 2006)