Holiday Home Gym Shopping - Be Smart

Your dad taught you how to buy a car. You had a couple 'How To Buy Your Dream Home' books on your nightstand when it was time to purchase your first piece of property. But when it comes to home gyms, most of us head into the treadmill store total amateurs.

If you're hoping the tree will be trimmed with a new piece of cardio and some weights this Christmas, pass along these don't-miss-home-gym-buying-tips to your Santa in disguise:

• Research machines and space -- Treadmill Doctor has reliable feedback on cardio equipment and the American Council on Exercise offers home gym points to ponder.
  
• Check Craiglist, eBay, even local classifieds for house sales -- dusty treadmill steals are out there.
• Test drive before buying -- bring your gym clothes along while shopping. Give it a true work out, then you'll know if you really like it.
• Cardio equipment is like a piano -- be prepared to pay for delivery if you're buying used, as that behemoth probably won't fit in that gas-guzzling SUV you've been trying to sell in this nightmare economy.

May your home gym dreams come true this holiday season.