What is the best piece of fitness equipment to buy?

When I meet new people, and they learn that I’m a play expert and health coach, they usually have a question or two for me around their exercise routine, nutritional intake or stress management.

I’m always so delighted to answer their inquiries.

One of the questions I get asked the most is, what is the best piece of fitness equipment to buy?

This question came up in a conversation I was having with a client this week. He asked if a bike was better than an elliptical or a treadmill to strengthen his legs. 

I said quite honestly that there is no right or wrong answer. 

Then I explained why.

It all comes down to one simple question you need to ask yourself:

What are you consistently going to show up and use? What do you like?

You can have a gym full of fancy equipment or a space with only one thing – none of it is useful if you won’t use it.

What will you use that’s not going to be just a place to hang your laundry!?

Truly, play (exercise) is different for everyone.

There is no one-size-fits-all. For some, it’s a sport, a fitness class – for others; it’s dancing in the kitchen while making dinner, jumping over puddles, doing a few squats on their coffee break or skipping the escalator and walking up the stairs.

In my book, The Play Book: How To Get In The Habit Of Good Health, I write about the potent effect of this mindset of shifting from what society has said is the right way to exercise, to what works for YOU.

I created helpful personal assessments that will help you determine what you are ready, willing and able to do when it comes to getting active and play.

When you find something you love to do, you are more likely to do it!

Whether it’s on a machine or in a park, what matters most is that you try to get your 150 minutes of play a week (as outlined by The World Health Organization), doing something that makes you love to move your body.

And that all adds up to better health in the long run.

Just get playing!