Buying the best fitness equipment

If you're thinking of buying fitness equipment for home workouts, remember that it can represent a sizable financial commitment as well as a lifestyle change.

Below is the advice of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, which would be worth considering before making a decision on the most suitable equipment for your home.

- Look for equipment that offers a total workout. The best route to overall fitness is one that incorporates a variety of physical activities as part of a daily routine.

- Remember that no exercise device can burn fat off a particular part of your body. To turn a "beer belly" into a six-pack, you must combine sensible eating with regular exercise that works the whole body. The reason: Everything you eat has calories and everything you do uses calories. Your weight depends on the number of calories you eat and use each day. Increasing your daily physical activity will burn extra calories.

- Be skeptical of outrageous claims. Shaping up is hard to do. Ads that promise "easy" or "effortless" results are false. And many ads that make big claims about the number of calories you'll burn may also be deceptive. Some such claims are true only for athletes who are already in top physical condition; others may not be true for anyone.

- Think twice about dramatic testimonials or before-and-after pictures from satisfied customers. These may not be typical. Celebrity endorsements don't necessarily mean the equipment is right for you, either.

- To help you choose the best equipment for your needs, check out consumer and fitness magazines that rate exercise equipment. Then test various pieces of equipment at a local gym, recreation center or retailer to find the machine or device that feels comfortable to you.

- Shop around: Exercise equipment advertised on TV or in newspapers or magazines may be available at local sporting goods, department and discount stores. That can make it easier to shop for the best price.

- Get details on warranties, guarantees and return policies: A "30-day money-back guarantee" may not sound as good if you're responsible for paying a hefty fee to return a bulky piece of equipment. FTC/JP