Can You Win the Struggle with Home Gym Equipment?

What is the most popular item of home gym equipment?

According to Amazon it’s the treadmill. The treadmill is the only item of gym equipment where you can run as fast as you can but go nowhere.

The second most popular item is the Schwinn 213 Recumbent Exercise Bike and the third is the Max Fitness 65cm Exercise Ball. The only item I’ve used is the treadmill. I've never understood why some people spend much time on a treadmill when you can run outside and view the scenery or, the traffic. That’s why I’ve never been able to stick at ploughing along on the treadmill.

The treadmill means you can run whatever the weather. The latest models come complete with a monitor attached so you can pretend you're running through a park, forest or even on the beach.  Depending where you live, a treadmill can be a safe option avoiding the risks of running/jogging in a dodgy neighbourhood.

If your goal is to train for a marathon the treadmill is ideal. Casual walking or the occasional run, save the expense of a treadmill and put the money to something else.

The uphill struggle to stay fit or even become fit means, if you’re like me, full of good intentions. It’s easy to follow the path of the stereotype DIY enthusiast, who is always on the lookout for the latest tools but never quite makes or repairs anything.

For us strugglers, like some DIY enthusiasts, we could keep buying and trying keep fit equipment without actually using them long enough to get the benefits.

Here are some interesting statistics from an article by Jennifer Lynn Hanson published in an Ezine article:

Three years after buying a treadmill, 40% of people use it less than once a week, but 90% of treadmill owners who use it at least 3 times a week report feeling more energized and in better physical condition from using the machine.  

If you have the space and can commit the time, go for it. I'll take my chances and go for a run outside. My struggle is I know I should get up and go for a run but always find a reason or if I’m being honest, an excuse not to go.