Kenneth Gardner

Having decided what exercise activities you are likely to participate in to develop your fitness, you will need to identify the required equipment. Good equipment will enhance your enjoyment and decrease the risks of injury. The equipment will also influence the likelihood of your continued participation. Ill-fitting or defective equipment could ruin the joy of any activity.

The current increased interest in physical exercise has been accompanied by a wave of new equipment. However, some of these products are probably overpriced or are of poor quality. Thus, it is important that you make the best decisions about the exercise products that you acquire.

It is wise to shop around for the best quality product that you can afford. Before you invest in a new product, it is best to investigate the product so that you can make prudent choices.

Price and quality generally go hand in hand, but prices sometimes vary even in places of close proximity. Do not buy without doing some survey of the available prices. Get help to make sure you get the best that is available for what you can afford.

Weigh your options

Before you buy any exercise product consider how much use you will make of it. Weigh your options of using the product to others that are at your disposal. Consider how often the equipment will be used and its ability to last. You should buy equipment that is appropriate for your current skill level.

Good footwear

Footwear is probably the most important item for almost any activity. They protect our feet and provide valuable support in exercise performance. We place as much as six times more force on our feet when we exercise, compared to when we stand still. Our shoes cushion the stress of such additional force which our feet are subjected to.

In considering our footwear, we should consider the activities that we will do in our exercise programme. Footwear that is appropriate for different activities have their own special characteristics. Running shoes essentially have highly-cushioned midsoles, rubber outsoles, elevated heels and a great deal of flexibility. The heels of walking shoes tend to be lower, less padded and slant. Shoes for court games should provide a great deal of lateral support. Water resistance shoes with durable uppers and good outsoles are good for walking and running especially for wet environment.

For those who work out hard and are relatively heavy, thick firm midsoles are needed to give a longer lasting service. Additional, stability features may also be needed to cushion foot movement that roll inward or outward.

The right gym

If you are in the process of choosing an exercise programme you need to focus on how convenient it will be based on your schedule. Will you be able to make reasonably good use of the fitness facilities? It is important to evaluate the atmosphere of the facility and assess how much satisfaction you are likely to get for your investment.

Your safety is important, thus the level of training of the staff is critical as well as the credibility of their programme and service. The environment in which the service is provided is also worthy of note.

The cost of the service should give you a good idea of what kind of programme to expect. There should be special equipment and facilities to address your specific needs, as well as staff who are knowledgeable. At the end of your deliberations you should be comfortable with your decisions.

All the best for the New Year !

Kenneth Gardner is an exercise physiologist at the G. C. Foster College of Physical Education: email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.

Kurt Dunn demonstrates shoulders press exercises with free weights at Gymkhana, Hilton Kingston hotel. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer