Although treadmills are extremely popular and reliable, elliptical trainers also provide functional movement with lots of variety. Stationary bikes, both upright and recumbent, are rebounding in popularity. Don't Overestimate Your Abilities. An exercise or movement that looks easy on TV may not work for you. For example, ski machines with independent upper and lower-body motions may offer an outstanding cardio workout, but they also require a high level of concentration and coordination.
People are less likely to use machines that have a high learning curve.
Don't Believe Everything You Hear. Some fitness products that sound great on infomercials have limited effectiveness. Abdominal exercise devices, for example, don't really offer any results beyond those achieved by doing abdominal exercises without equipment. However, the devices can provide head and neck support. Don't Overlook the Little Things.