Exercise Equipment Guide: Treadmills, Weights, and Home Gyms

What happens when your treadmill stops suddenly, and how can you troubleshoot common home gym equipment? Selecting the best mini-trampolines, resistance bands, and cross trainers can significantly improve your at-home fitness results and safety.

Young women on stationary bikes exercising in the gym

Are Exercise Bikes Good for Weight Loss?

Once you're ready to turn your dream of losing weight into reality, it's time to develop a fitness routine. People who enjoy a repetitive, solo workout can often find success by pedaling an exercise bike. This simple workout contributes to a rapid calorie burn to help you work toward your goal.

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Fitness studio with dance rail.

The Best Times to Buy Exercise Equipment

Buying exercise equipment represents a significant investment in your health and a significant hit to your wallet. When you're considering buying a treadmill, elliptical, indoor bike or other piece of equipment, you want to be sure you're getting the best price for the best piece of equipment.

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Running on treadmill

How Soon Can I See Results From Using a Treadmill?

The benefits from working out on a treadmill on a regular basis include weight management, improved cardiovascular endurance, improved bone density and stress relief, as well as positive changes in blood pressure and cholesterol levels, depending on your original health status.

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Woan on treadmill

What Causes Upper Thigh Pain after Walking on a Treadmill

Pain or cramping in a muscle is a common post-exercise injury that can happen to anyone. Most cases of pain in the upper inner thigh after walking on a treadmill do not require medical attention, although people with symptoms that worsen or persist should seek medical evaluation.

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Treadmills in gym

Homemade Treadmill Lube

If you’re using your treadmill just once or twice a week, or you are a serious daily runner, a quick check in the owner’s manual tells you to make sure your treadmill is lubricated properly so you can enjoy your exercise time without any bumps or skips. Proper lubrication also increases your treadmill belt’s lifespan.

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People on treadmills in gym

Troubleshooting for Pro-Form Treadmills

Adding a treadmill to your home fitness room gives you an exercise tool you can use any time of the day or night, without having to drive to a health club or wait in line for one of your gym’s treadmills to open up. Of course, having your own treadmill means taking care of your own treadmill.

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Fitness Training

Are Elliptical Machines Accurate?

Elliptical machines started appearing in gyms during the 1990s. The machine offered a new way to exercise that incorporated an aerobic workout with muscle toning in the upper body. It also provided an alternative to the traditional treadmill or stationary bike, which some find more enjoyable to use.

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The Best Exercise Equipment for Osteoporosis

If you have osteoporosis, you may think that exercising is not healthy for you. In fact, MayoClinic.com recommends exercise to help reduce the risk of spinal problems and broken bones. People who exercise tend to have stronger bones, as well as stronger muscles, which help protect your bones.

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Woman in the gym

Why Is My Treadmill Shocking Me?

Treadmills are powerful machines that can generate static electricity, causing some users to receive a shock. In excess amounts, static electricity can damage the treadmill's electronic components. There are simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of being shocked by your treadmill.

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Smiling women using exercise equipment in gymnasium

Types of Elliptical Machines

Ellipticals are some of the most popular cardio equipment in gyms and homes. But there is more than one kind of machine that bears the name "elliptical." Your local gym almost certainly has several elliptical cross-trainers and possibly elliptical trainers too, and there are also elliptical gliders.

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Woman exercising on treadmill in gym

Treadmill Electrical Requirements

The power requirements of a treadmill vary among brands and models. Most residential treadmills run on a standard 120-volt, grounded and dedicated outlet. Manufacturers recommend the use of a surge suppressor that meets specific standards.

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Exercising in the gym,Man walking on treadmill.

My ProForm XP Incline Is Stuck at the Top

The ProForm XP series includes several treadmill models, including the XP 690T, XP 615 and XP 580. All ProForm XP treadmills have power ramps that incline up to 10 percent. If your incline is stuck, you can first try calibrating it before contacting a service professional.

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Which Stair Climber Machines Work Best?

Stair climbers are not particularly glamorous. However, stair climbers, also known as stair steppers, are an effective way to get a cardio workout and build your lower body without the pounding your legs are subjected to while jogging or running.

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Woman gripping a barbell with heavy weights about to lift

Do Weighted Vests Work?

Strength and conditioning coaches are always looking for some form of training to give their athletes an edge in competition, but some training might not carry over to performance. Weighted vest are one of these training tools that might elicit some benefits in one area of performance but not in another.

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Fitness girl running on treadmill

Features of NordicTrack C2000 Treadmills

The NordicTrack company became a household name when it brought cross-country skiing indoors. Since then, the company has expanded its home-exercise equipment line to include treadmills, bicycles, stair steppers and more. The Nordictrack C2000 treadmill is no longer being produced but can be bought used.

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Crossfit Barbell

Is There a Difference Between Dumbbells & Barbells?

Barbells and dumbbells are the two main types of free weights. Using this type of resistance does not restrict your range of motion the way a weight machine does. With free weights, your movements more closely resemble real-life movements.

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Private gym in a home

The Best Flooring for an Exercise Room

When you create a home gym, there are many factors to consider, including the type of equipment you will include and the layout that will be best for performing various types of exercises. One element of a home gym that’s important not to overlook is the flooring.

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Female foot

Why Are Ankle Weights Bad?

Ankles weights are commonly used during aerobic workouts, such as running. The advantages of wearing ankle weights while exercising are outweighed by the negative impact they can have on your body. This is something you should especially take into consideration if you are frail, have joint problems or are overweight.

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Couple stop to enjoy the view

Which Is Better Exercise: Walking or Biking?

All forms of exercise reap health benefits for the body. The best exercise is the kind that you enjoy and therefore will do more often. You should try to get 30 minutes of exercise a day, most days of the week. Please consult your doctor before beginning any diet or fitness program.

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gym running

Why Do My Heels and Ankles Hurt on the Treadmill?

With 26 bones, 33 joints, 122 ligaments and a large network of blood vessels, nerves and tendons, your feet and ankles are complex structures that endure a lot of stress each time you run, walk or jog on a treadmill. As a result of this stress, you may experience pain or injury from time to time.

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