It Looked Good in TV...
Tips When Buying Gym Equipment
By Outrage Magazine’s very own Muscle Mary

It only costs P2,995 – lower than the usual P4,995 – if you dial that number on the screen right now, so maybe you really should place your order, right?  Especially since that waistline is now over 30 inches (32, to be exact, and growing), and you don’t have the time to go to the gym, take brisk walks (and it’s always raining, too, of course), or even do sit-ups while playing those copies that you got from Makati Cinema Square of Queer as Folk or Brokeback Mountain or Latter Days or Jay or whatever.  With that heat belt of some sort promising to rid from four to five inches without you doing anything, even, why not give it a go?

If you really WANT to, and just can’t wait to spend that money in your pocket, then sure, go ahead and buy that gadget in TV, no matter that you don’t really understand it.

But if what you are looking for is something you NEED, then, think again – there are better ways to waste your money without that excess gadget you wouldn’t know where to put when not used (which would be always).

Now how to segregate the equipment that you just want to what you need?

Start with identifying your fitness requirements.  “If your goal is an aerobic workout, then the equipment's resistance should be low enough to maintain for at least 20 minutes of smooth continuous motion. This type of exercise is what is needed to improve your aerobic fitness and burn calories for weight management.  If your goal is muscle strengthening, then considerably more resistance is required.  Multi-weight style pieces of gym equipment offer the beginner a good selection of exercises, and lower risk of injury, however they can be space consuming,” states Netfit.co.uk.  “But for best results, both aerobic and strength training equipment should be purchased in order to achieve all round fitness.”

Secondly, even when keeping a tight rein on your budget, remember that “you generally get what you pay for.  Keep in mind that high quality equipment that works reliably after several years of heavy use can't be manufactured cheaply,” Netfit.co.uk.  Fortunately, just by going through such publications as Buy&Sell and Manila Bulletin (Sunday Edition), options abound from those selling used equipment – try to bring someone with the know-how, or at least get some form of guarantee when buying secondhand.

Thirdly, test what you buy – especially true when it comes with all those claims (yes, those promises from the TV ads, among others).  According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC, ftc.gov), “Evaluate advertising claims for fitness products carefully. Exercise — with or without special equipment — is essential for good health.  But be skeptical of claims that you will lose several pounds, inches or pant sizes in a short time (for example, ‘7 inches in 7 days’ or ‘3 dress sizes in one month’).  Even when combined with dietary supplements or specialized breathing techniques, it is virtually impossible for most consumers to achieve such major changes in appearance in a few days or weeks.”

Fourthly, buy only what you can keep, e.g. those renting studio space can definitely not buy a 25-square feet treadmill or a 15-square feet rower or a 50-square feet multistation.  Obviously, the jumping rope, yoga mat, and those dumbbells, all of them can be hidden under the bed, are worth considering.  “The main concern is your safety, so make sure the room is safe,” states Netfit.co.uk.

And lastly, be sure to buy what will keep you interested.  Yes, that sauna belt looks interesting, but then again, did you ever consider how it could trigger your urticaria with the sweating and vibrating and sweating some more with more vibrations?  When this happens, you will have wasted the P2,995 – the same cost of a pair of shoes from Wade or Rustans or, when on sale, People are People or Top Shop.

With that out of the way, the goal now is to make you use what you bought.  But really, that you even considered buying them should be enough for you to bloody well just use them.