Frequently, I am asked to recommend brands of treadmills, bicycles, ellipticals or weight machines for home use. My first response is not the answer you want to hear although it is the one that will save you the most money. My first response is to make exercise a habit for three months before investing in home exercise equipment (unless of course, you are already in the habit of exercising).   Too often, home exercise equipment ends up as a clothes hanger or just collects dust. I recommend that you start by walking 5 days a week, gradually building up to 30- 45 minutes or doing light weights with dumbbells or elastic tubing ( a tiny financial investment). If you can establish the habit (even if you aren’t exercising a full 30 minutes) for three months, then it is a good chance that your investment in home exercise equipment will not go to waste.

If you have tried multiple times to exercise on your own and know you need  guidance, encourage and socialization, it may be wiser to join a center where you can get the support to stay on your program.

It is important to identify what type of exerciser you are:
Independent: They are self motivated to exercise on their own. They may need a personal training session periodically to evaluate and advance their routine. These individuals may exercise at home or in a center.

Personal Training Exercisers: these folks will only exercise if a personal trainer is there to instruct and guide them through a program each week. They enjoy exercising at home or in a center.

Club Exercisers: these exercisers enjoy the atmosphere and camaraderie of the club setting to keep them on their program. They also like the professional exercise machines, weights and the guidance received from a trained staff.
Mixers: these individuals may enjoy running or walking outside but also belong to an exercise center for weight training and exercise classes.
Group Exercisers: these are folks who know they will only exercise if it is in a group exercise setting.

Investing in home exercise equipment is great because there are no excuses for you not to exercise however, it is only a good buy if you are going to use it. Make it a habit first!