Home fitness equipment to help you reach your goals

I need to work off the fleshy cummerbund I developed over the holidays. I've got a supply of protein shakes and towels. All I'm missing for a complete home workout experience is the equipment.

I did some research and found that there are two popular approaches to fitness equipment, and that the cost of installing an in-home training setup can range from under $100 to infinity.

I decided to start with a money-is-no-object approach. I can dream.

According to Paul Gabay, Area Equipment Manager for MuscleMag International, you can assess your equipment needs by answering some simple questions, and then plug in your budget to see what fits.

Take Paul's quiz to pin down your fitness goals and intentions. While you're at it, I'm going for a snack.

Do you prefer working out at a gym or at home?
Your answer: ___________________
My answer: I prefer the privacy of my own home where I don't have to compare myself to the scantily-clad, sweat-slick throngs as they evaluate each other's genetic material and trade sultry glances across the recumbent bicycles.

What are your goals? - Strength? Cardiovascular conditioning? Weight loss?
Your answer: ___________________
My answer: I'd like to be able to scare the crows off the bird feeder without getting winded. Also, you know the cyborg in Terminator 3? I want to look just like her, only more self-confident.

Do you have time to work out at home?
Your answer: ___________________
My answer: I have the time I waste sitting in my car in the gym parking lot, waiting in line for a parking spot that's really close to the entrance so I don't have to walk too far to use the treadmill.

Equipment can be bulky. Is space a concern?
Your answer: ___________________
My answer: I won't use it unless I trip over it.

Do you have any joint pain?
Your answer: ___________________
My answer: Only in my ankles, knees, back, hips, shoulders and neck. Pretty average for a sedentary 58-year old.

You're 58? Wow, you look great!
Your answer: ___________________
My answer: No, I'm 46, but if I told you that, you wouldn't say I look great. It's a strategy.

How many people will be using the equipment regularly?
Your answer: ___________________
My answer: By "regularly", do you mean more than twice a year?

Paul's quiz determined that I want to look better without working very hard, and that I have commitment issues and a short attention span. He suggested a low-impact, full-body style of workout provided by an elliptical trainer. His best seller is a Schwinn model, which retails for $1499. I hopped on.

Elliptical trainers simulate a cross-country skiing experience but without the constant nose blowing. It's a fun, no-impact, cardio-vascular workout that includes both upper and lower body. The machine monitors your heart rate and tells you how many calories you've burned.

I had burned 6. I slumped off the elliptical, already glazed with perspiration.

At this point Paul had to take a phone call. I wandered over to the treadmills and fell into conversation with customer Jim Thomson, who's just ordered a treadmill. Jim is in his late forties with a history of squash, football and soccer injuries. Walking seems like a good plan now.

"I have a desk job. An hour's walk in the morning makes me feel good all day, but it's harsh at 5:30 a.m. in winter. So I did some Internet research and found a treadmill that has great reviews, low impact and good value for a good price."

I tried the floor model of Jim's EVO Fitness FX-4, a foldable treadmill with lots of features and a smooth, buoyant ride, priced at $1899. It has adjustable pitch (up to 15 degrees) and an excellent warranty.

"The biggest mistakes consumers make," says Jim Mugford, Eastern Regional Manager for EVO Fitness (New Jersey), "is not doing their research. They buy knockoff products that break within six weeks and have poor warranties. Any warranty should give you at least one year on labour, two years on parts, lifetime on frame. Remember, it's not a couch. It's something you're going to beat up. Make sure it's going to be able to handle that."

If strength training is your priority, the Schwinn BowFlex is a home gym that uses flexible rods (lifetime warranty) to provide resistance. For a heavier user, the Bodycraft Express ($2499) features multiple stations and free-range movement, which targets a wider range of muscles than traditional equipment, providing a workout comparable to using free weights.

I went home to think about all of my equipment options. And have a snack. Then I met with Scott Wilson, a certified personal trainer who has some innovative ideas about fitness.

I'm still sore, but I'll never be bored with fitness again.