Tip 1: Remember - you get what you pay for. You've seen the commercials for the most recent "equipment of the week". It seems as though every time you change the channel, there is a new piece of home equipment advertised that will "give you washboard abs in 30 seconds". The reality is, most of the equipment being advertised on these infomercials may be of dubious quality - at best. To get the best from your workouts, avoid injury, and avoid equipment breakdowns, it pays to invest in your equipment. Keep in mind that a good piece of home exercise equipment can last 10 years - and the cost of ownership over that time can be less than what you would pay for a health club.

Tip 2: To give you an idea of what you should consider spending, for a decent treadmill, plan on spending at least $1,000 and, for a better than decent treadmill, between $1500 to $3000. There are some so-so models that fall under that price range but, if you buy a cheap treadmill, that's exactly what you're going to get. Choosing the right treadmill will depend on:

1) how much money you have,

2) any extras you want (programming, heart rate monitor, etc.),

3) what kind of motor you want, and

4) how much space you have in your house.

Tip 3: One of the main "roadblocks" for some people when it comes to home workouts is - that it can get monotonous. At least when you're running on a treadmill at the local gym, there are enough distractions to keep your time from becoming boring. Well, there are ways around that now. Boredom is one of the most common reasons why many people give up on regular exercise. Some therefore say that they prefer the gym because of the entertainment available there. They can run on a treadmill while watching their favorite soap or cycle an exercise bike listening to current chart hits. But technology is advancing at an incredible pace these days. For example, True Fitness offers treadmills with a built in monitor on which you can watch TV, DVD's or listen to your favorite music.

Tip 4: Just because you have a basic understanding of your equipment when you take delivery of it, doesn't mean you won't have any questions a few weeks later. So, when you choose a store to purchase equipment from, check out the company's customer and support services. Call the advertised phone numbers to get an idea of how easy it is to reach a company representative and how helpful he or she is. Also, get details on warranties, guarantees and return policies. A "30-day money-back guarantee" may not so nd as good if you have to pay shipping on a bulky piece of equipment you want to "return to sender."

Tip 5: Finally, remember that no piece of fitness equipment works by itself. Remember that no exercise device can burn fat off a particular part of your body. To turn a "beer belly" into a "six pack stomach," you must combine sensible eating with regular exercise that works the whole body. The reason: Everything you eat has calories and everything you do uses calories. Your weight depends on the number of calories you eat and use each day. Increasing your daily physical activity will burn extra calories Regular exercise on your equipment, with proper form and proper fitness goals, combined with a healthy diet - is the key to your not only being happy with your equipment purchase, but your overall health and fitness levels as well!