One of the benefits of going to a commercial gym or YMCA is that we have the use of up to date exercise equipment most of us don't have room for in our homes and even if we did we probably couldn't afford it. Another reason to go to the gym is to tryout different types of equipment before we buy that single piece for our home. So what is available for your exercise pleasure when it comes to exercise equipment? There are two categories which match the two types of exercise; aerobic and anaerobic.

Equipment for aerobic activity is divided in several categories:

• Treadmills: used for walking or running 
• Elliptical Machines: used for low impact walking and running 
• Steppers: used for simulating climbing stairs 
• Stationary Bikes: used for low impact leg and endurance work
• Rowing: used for upper body and stomach work

Most of these machines do their job very well and simulate the real thing. Training on a stationary bike or treadmill actually can be more efficient than road work. For example, if one is running on a road as you get tired you will naturally slow down. However, the treadmill runs at the same pace, no matter how tired you become. This teaches you pace as well as pushes your endurance limits to do more.

When it comes to anaerobic activity machines there are also different categories:

• Abdominal Crunch Machines, Boards and Benches: used to gain those six-pack abs 
• Back Machines: used to strengthen the muscles of the lower back 
• Benches: used in conjunction with free weights to strengthen a wide range of muscle groups 
• Butt and Thigh Toner Machines: used to do exactly what they are named for 
• Multi-station gyms: provides the workout of free weights in a single machine, working all muscle groups 
• Resistant Machines: specialty weight machines that use resistance such as the Bowflex

These weight machines come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and many look like instruments of medieval torture. You need to go to a gym and try out several different machines to determine the ones you're most comfortable using. Many of these machines, with the exception of the multi-station gyms, are small enough to efficiently fit is a home or apartment.

There are other types of exercise equipment found at gyms that are easily adapted to the home:

• Ankle and wrist weights: worn while doing exercise to increase the training effect. 
• Jump ropes: Great and a fun aerobic activity 
• Balls: Used for a variety of strength and flexibility exercises 
• Bars: Pull-up/chin-up and push-up/sit-up; used to strengthen the arm and back muscles

With this equipment available we should all be in great shape. Get out there and try some of these, only you can make them work.