Home Exercise Equipment: Is It Your Answer To Obesity?

Have you decided that it’s time to tackle your weight and fitness issues and get fit once and for all, with a whole new exercise program? Creating some form of home gym is a popular option nowadays, usually involving the purchase of some kind of home exercise equipment. There are many types and models of equipment to choose from: walking treadmills, rowing machines, exercise bikes, cross trainers, punch bags, sit-up chairs and many more.


Many people imagine that, once purchased, there is an initial burst of enthusiasm in the use of home exercise equipment, followed by a swift waning in its use and effects. This idea is so pervasive that jokes about dusty exercise bikes and rowing machines are commonplace. In fact, several studies suggest that in many cases, purchasers of home exercise equipment in fact go on to use and gain benefit from home exercise equipment in the longer term.[1] Figures of more than $4 billion a year have been quoted for sales of home exercise equipment.[2]


What kind of benefits can you reasonably expect from the consistent use of home exercise equipment? Perri and Corsica [1] have produced a review of numerous studies regarding maintenance of weight-loss for people who have problems with obesity. They found that people in one study were more likely to continue and fully engage with an exercise program if they were exercising at home, and another study found better weight-loss maintenance in dieters equipped with home exercise equipment.


What is the best type and model of home exercise equipment for you to choose? An exercise bike has been described as the most popular type of equipment by far: many people purchase this as part of their home gym or their only piece of equipment.[3]


Where will you put your home exercise equipment once you have purchased it? This is a major consideration for many people. A garage or basement is often a popular choice. Much of this kind of equipment is very heavy and most of us would have to think carefully before positioning it on a first or second floor!


So, will the purchase of a shiny new treadmill or exercise bike or cross-trainer for home use be beneficial for you? Studies certainly suggest that consistent and long-term use of home exercise equipment can pay dividends in the fight against obesity. What have you got to lose – except your extra pounds?



1. Perri, Michael G. & Corsica, Joyce A. 'Improving the Maintenance of Weight Lost in Behavioural Treatment of Obesity'. From 'Handbook of Obesity Treatment', edited by T.A. Wadden and A.J. Stunkard: 357-380. Guilford Publications. New York. 2002.



2. French, Simone A., Story, M. & Jeffery, Robert W. 'Environmental Influences on Eating & Physical Activity'. Annual Review of Public Health Vol. 22: 2001, 309-335.



3. Eschenbach, P.W. 'Elliptical Exercise Machine with Arm Exercise'. PatFT » Page 1 of 1 09/09/1996. (Accessed 12/10/2009). United States Patent & Trademark Office.