Deciding to start a fitness program is often the easy part – choosing the right equipment for a home gym can be much more difficult. Money, space and, most importantly, personal goals and interests, all play vital parts in the decision.

This article will offer a brief overview of some of the many choices in exercise equipment on the market today. The first step in any exercise program should be to get a comprehensive checkup from a health professional to ensure good health. A physician or fitness professional can help set realistic goals.

Setting goals is a vital part of deciding what equipment to buy. What is the goal? Working out to build muscle mass, tone up, lose weight or improve cardiovascular endurance? Are particular areas targeted for improvement?

Goals should also take into account personal interests. Exercise equipment won’t help burn calories unless it is used. If walking or jogging is excruciatingly boring, don’t buy a treadmill. In other words, the answer to the question “Which exercise is best?” comes down to “The one you’re really going to do.”