The newest generation of home gym equipment seems determined to expand the fitness horizons of those who like to get sweaty without leaving the house.
“So many of the innovations in home gym equipment are about plugging in — really socializing — the solitary home user to an outside world through various smart devices and other high-tech ways,” says Mary Anderson, deputy editor of Fitness Magazine. “Whether it’s taking a treadmill user and inserting him or her into a world-class marathon, or that stationary bicycler and inserting him or her into a class, it’s all about giving the home gym enthusiast a trainer experience where there is no trainer next to you. And it’s all thanks to the super intelligence of these home gym machines.”
From treadmills that can convert to desks, to digitized hand weights and souped-up stationary bikes that connect to live-streaming instructors, here are some of the newest machines and gear for your home gym.
Boston strong
The Pro-Form Boston Marathon Treadmill can replicate all the features (topographical inclines and dips) of any number of well-known marathon terrains, with special emphasis on the world-famous Boston Marathon; $3,999. Another Pro-Form treadmill also seamlessly flips to a desk top for easy transitioning to work; $2,499, www.proform.com. Available at Busybody, Fitness HQ.
Take your pick
Precor’s Adaptive Motion Trainer 835 is often referred to, by those in the know, as four machines in one. It can be a treadmill before switching to an elliptical, a stair-climber or a bicycle; $9,295, www.precor.com. Busybody, Fitness HQ.
The old-fashioned way
The Woodway Curve Treadmill doesn’t require electricity, yet still provides the full panoply of acceleration and deceleration of any other treadmill. It also comes with a specially designed running surface that minimizes jarring shocks to various joints. By manually controlling the treadmill’s speed, the exerciser can burn up to 30 percent more calories; $6,000, available only through Woodway, 800-966-3929; www.woodway.com.
Go pro
Fitness Gear Pro Full Rack is essentially an entire, gym-quality weight training area squeezed into one healthy-sized unit (54 inches long by 93.5 inches wide by 85 inches tall). A generous 28 levels of adjustments are available in this cross-functional “cage.” The stability of this exercise area is ensured by some of the most modern in reinforcement plates. It comes with two full storage areas, perfectly sized for everything from medicine balls to Olympic-sized weight plates; $499.99, Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Pedal power
The Woodway Wattbike brings groundbreaking accuracy in measuring actual power generated, and as such, is the first-ever indoor bike to receive an endorsement from esteemed British Cycling. The Wattbike brings a virtually unprecedented realism to the indoor cycling experience while offering a series of comparable results and measurements, such as power output, heart rate, even the specifics of pedaling _ results useful to anyone involved in serious training, or to the casual, recreational cyclist; $3,300, available only through Woodway, 800-966-3929; www.woodway.com.
The real wheel
The Peloton Cycle comes with a 21-inch screen to stream videos, allowing you to join a live class and receive instruction on, among other things, changing the bike’s resistance level. The screen’s perimeter runs a loop of the user’s statistical information, including RPMs and torque; $1,999, www.pelotoncycle.com. Available at Busybody, Fitness HQ.
Smart dumbbells
Bowflex SelectTech 560 Dumbbells are digitized hand weights that feature a rep counter and a separate tracker for the amount of weight lifted and actual rep speed. In addition, sound cues signal when a rest period between reps is over. Also offered is the ability to track heart rate and the number of calories burned. All workout data can be wirelessly shifted using Bluetooth technology. A library of 80 workouts (plus videos) is offered; $450-$500 for a set of hand weights. Available in early 2015; www.bowflexselecttech.com. Busybody, Fitness HQ.
Let it entertain you
Precor’s 445 Treadmill comes with plenty of heavily padded storage capacity for a water bottle, keys, cellphone, cordless phone or TV remote. This new line of treadmills (along with most of the Precor machines) features large, ultra-soft handrails. The entertainment options include console music controls, with an easy-to-access volume control, along with specially designed headphone jacks and a USB port. A personalized workout program offers up to 23 preset workouts. The console is customizable, so workouts can be set to monitor the time it takes or how many calories are burned. The 445 model also comes with a rare feature that can simulate running downhill, $5,999, www.precor.com. Available at Busybody, Fitness HQ.
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