Home Gym Equipment Review

In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association ( Vol. 275 No. 18, pp. 1382-1450, May 8, 1996) treadmills are the best indoor equipment for fitness training.

The study compared treadmills, Elliptical trainers, stair machines, rowing machines and exercise bikes. Users were asked to use each piece of equipment at a perceived level of intensity. (IE: Easy, medium hard). Measurements were taken to see which piece of equipment caused the user to expend the most energy.

At a "hard" intensity the results were:

• Treadmill - 700 Calories per hour
• Stair Machine - 625 Calories per hour
• Rowing - 600 Calories per hour
• Elliptical - 600 Calories per hour
• Stationary Bike - 500 Calories per hour

It is very important to remember that all pieces of exercise equipment burn zero calories per hour if you don't use them. So make sure that you enjoy the piece of equipment that you get. If you love rowing then don't get treadmill just because it burns more calories per hour.

Bill Doane is a regular contributor to Exercise Equipment Review and a regular treadmill user!