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How to avoid the $2,000 clothes-rack syndrome.

Do you use your treadmill to drip-dry your clothes? How many years has it been since you actually walked on it? Or perhaps you own one that folds up flat against the wall . . . only you haven't taken it down from the wall since you purchased that pair of hot pink leg warmers in the early '8os. If so, you probably feel guilty about your unused purchase, but know this: If you have an Ab Roller, Bowflex or Total Gym that hasn't seen the light of day since the first light of day, you are not alone. Most people acknowledge the need to exercise, go so far as to invest hundreds or even thousands of dollars in equipment, yet lack the motivation to get started or stay with the program.

As an in-home personal trainer for over io years, I have seen a lot of neglected equipment, from a few dusty dumbbells to a multi- unit, total-body gym that sits rusting in a corner of the garage.

People are generally embarrassed to admit that they've purchased equipment that they haven't used. Originally motivated by the convenience and privacy of gym equipment in their home, they believed they would also save money by not having an ongoing gym membership. They also believed that the mere purchase of a home gym would be motivating. Unfortunately, it seldom works that way. According to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA), fitness equipment goes unused in one-fifth of equipment-owning households.

A recent survey found that 47% of Americans own home exercise equipment. According to SGMA, sales of home gym equipment reached $4.7 billion in 2003. The product category has been one of the fastest-growing areas of sporting goods since the 1990s.

So what happens between the optimistic purchase of the equipment and the day when it ends up as a $2,000 clothes rack? More important, how can you avoid the clothes-rack syndrome and start getting the most out of your fitness equipment today?

Distractions

It's easier to become distracted when you exercise at home rather than at a gym. Phones ring, doorbells chime. Laundry needs to be done and there is smoke in the kitchen. Before you know it, you're back on the couch watching "Survivor" with your hand in a bag of Doritos.

SOLUTION: Make an appointment with yourself and stick to it. Decide on a time of day when you are least likely to be disturbed. Many successful exercisers work out before anyone else in the house is awake or they wait until after the kids are in bed. Having a trainer who comes to the house is another way to hold yourself accountable.

Children

Children often need - or want - the attention of a parent, especially when you're trying to find a few minutes for yourself. And, after all, spending time with your children is important, right?

SOLUTION: Right. It is important. So, teach your children some simple exercises to do along with you. They will feel included and it will also help them develop a positive association with fitness.

Solitude

While some people relish working out alone, others derive motivation from exercising with others and find it nearly impossible to get going otherwise.

SOLUTION: Solicit a friend or fitnessconscious neighbor to join you. Set up an exercise "circuit," for example, and encourage each other at each exercise station. You want to be careful not to have the social aspect take over the fitness focus, however.

Creating space

Before you shop for equipment, decide on a space in your home that you can dedicate to exercise. Whether you decide on a spare bedroom or part of the garage, you will need to make it enticing. If your treadmill faces a concrete wall, or if the room is dark and dreary, it will be difficult to get motivated.

Setting up a treadmill or elliptical next to the bed (a popular choice) isn't always the best idea unless you have no other space. Not wanting to wake a sleeping spouse eliminates the possibility of an early morning workout.

You also need an idea of what will work best for you. Michael Loch, manager of LA Gym Equipment in Laguna Niguel, asks his customers three questions:

What have you done in the past?

What do you enjoy? Golf? Tennis? Running?

Are you replacing a piece of equipment?

"Fifty percent of people come in looking for their favorite piece of gym equipment for home use," says Loch. "They want the convenience of having it available when they feel like using it. Figuring out what you will enjoy using is what's most important."

Don't make a purchase based on popularity. More than n.6 million treadmills were sold in 2003, according to the SGMA. But if the thought of plodding on a treadmill bores you to tears, you won't keep it up. Also, if you have knee problems, a no-impact elliptical trainer may be a better choice. The elliptical's impact-free, gliding movement has become a favorite of many. Over three million Americans worked out on elliptical trainers in 2003, an increase of 65% from the previous year

Still, if you decide to purchase a treadmill, know that they are the most likely piece of equipment to be used, long-term. "Treadmills don't require special knowledge to use, and they are self-motivating," says Loch, "A treadmill is the only exercise equipment that has a motor. This makes it easier to keep going than working out on, say, a stationary bicycle that requires you to provide the power."

Getting the most for your money

You generally get what you pay for when it comes to fitness equipment. Strive for the best quality that you can afford. Although you can find a treadmill for $400, if you use it for running, or you're over 200 pounds, you should plan to spend about $2,000 or more on a quality piece of equipment.

If you are on a budget and you feel a treadmill is out of your reach, you may want to consider other options. A top-of-the-line recumbent bike can be purchased for $400-$500. The wider seat makes it more comfortable than a standard, upright bicycle and is less likely to break down than a treadmill. Many retail outlets like LA Gym encourage customers to, "Bring your running shoes and try out the equipment for twenty minutes or so. You want to be sure you're comfortable on it and can see yourself using it long term."

Another way to get more for your money is to consider remanufactured exercise equipment. Healthline, Inc., an Irvine- based company owned by Chris Creighton (www.healthlineinc.com), sells remanufactured exercise equipment. After purchasing the equipment, he and his staff strip it down to the frame and completely rebuild it. "You can save 50-60% on retail and get a product that is just as good as new," Creighton says.

Purchasing remanufactured equipment enables you to get the brand and model you want at a price that compares to home versions. For example, a remanufactured Precor elliptical trainer may run from $1,650 to $1,950 versus a new model at over $4,000.

In business since 1990, Creighton has sold refurbished equipment to many celebrities and athletes. Healthline, Inc. carries high-end brand names including Body Masters, Cybex, Precor and LifeFitness, and backs their products by matching the manufacturer's new warranty.

Infomercial equipment: What really works?

Whether it's the Ab Attacker, the Belly Blaster or the Thigh Destroyer, we're all familiar with the multitude of infomercials promising amazing results in "just three minutes a day."

Do the machines live up their hype? Consumer Reports rated some of the most popular infomercial equipment and found that few lived up to any of their claims.

Overall, the more expensive equipment was rated highest. To protect yourself, CR recommends you:

1. Add up the total cost including shipping. You may pay an extra $200 for heavy equipment such as the TreadClimber.The Bowflex Power Pro XTLU cites "payments as low as $53 a month" but at an annual interest rate of 21%.

2. Ask about return policies. Does the company pay for the return?

3. Look for disclaimers. For example, "Results will vary" and "Weight loss requires reduced calories."

4. You usually get what you pay for. As the price decreased, the quality and effectiveness of the devices followed suit.

The TreadClimber ($2,000) was the only infomercial aerobic conditioning machine recommended by Consumer Reports. Bowflex, CrossBow and Total Gym faired reasonably well in CU trials for strengthtraining equipment. Look for local retailers where you can try out the equipment before making a financial commitment.

Minimum cash, maximum requirements

For a simple gym set-up for a fraction of the cost of any treadmill, the following is all you need:

* A fitness ball (check the chart on the side of the box for your correct size) inflated to the proper size, preferably burst-proof or "slow deflate"

* A set of tubing in various resistances

* Dumbbells and/or a weighted medicine ball(s) for resistance

* A good pair of running or walking shoes for cardiovascular fitness

* A heart-rate monitor to be sure you are working hard enough (not necessary but highly recommended)

* An instructional video/book/or consultation with a fitness professional to ensure proper form and to help you get the best results

The bottom line

Whether you spend thousands of dollars on a state-of-the-art treadmill or $30 on a fitness ball and a video, you will only see improvements if you actually use the equipment. Aside from regular exercise, eating healthy will also determine whether or not you see results. No exercise equipment in the world can help you if you're first in line at Carl's Jr. every morning.

TOP 10 WAYS TO MOTIVATE YOURSELF TO EX\ERCISE AT HOME

1 Make workouts a priority and schedule them into your planner.

2 Work out first thing in the moming - before the phone starts to ring.

3 Choose a space that's well-ventilated, well-lit and pleasant to work out in.

4 Write down your goals and base them on what you can control. For example, instead of writing "I plan to lose ten pounds," say "I will work out three times this week for 30 minutes."

5 Consider hiring a personal trainer to set up an effective and time-efficient program; change it monthly to avoid boredom.

6 Exercise with a partner and hold each other accountable for showing up.

7 Chart your progress on a calendar and hang it in the exercise room.

8 Play upbeat music.

9 Do part of- or your entire workout - outside, when weather allows.

10 Include the family and challenge each other with mini competitions.

Linda Melone is a certified personal trainer and the owner of LifeBeat Fitness, a corporate iueilness company. She can be reached at LindaM@lifebeatfitness.com or (948) 348-0917.

Copyright Churm Publishing May 26, 2005