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.

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I keep eyeing the corner of our family room wishing for a treadmill. If we ever find the money, the absolute last place we'd shop would be a sporting goods store. A better fit for our checkbook is to check Craigslist first -- a fantastic on-line garage sale selling everything. We've had two positive purchases through Craigslist classifieds, including a gorgeous, nearly new dining room set and bedroom dresser, saving us over $2,000 versus new.

Thousands list their used sporting goods on Craigslist every day. Once you log onto the site, simply click on your state, your nearest city and look for 'sporting goods' under the 'for sale' header. I just saw a Life Fitness X5I Elliptical for $1,500 in my market -- used only 10-15 times and bought new for $3,500 two years ago. Sure, you'll come across some junk, but there are quality gym gems, too.

If you're ready to burn major calories without leaving the house, start craigslisting for your dream machine today. Another plus, Craigslisters typically state their price up front, no bidding wars.

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