If you're looking for a beginner- to intermediate-level treadmill that is fairly inexpensive and fit for running or walking, a Proform treadmill might be a good choice. They are one of the most popular and best-selling brands, and they offer a comprehensive range of models for buyers to choose from.

Most Proform treadmills come with QuickSpeed and QuickIncline control, which allows the walker or runner to adjust the speed and incline with the touch of one button. They also offer different levels of cushioning beneath the running surface to help absorb some of the shock to protect your knees and other joints.

Many of the treadmills feature built-in pulse monitors, fans and an interactive workout disc that controls the speed and incline while a person's voice encourages you.

Because Proform treadmills are low-priced, they don't offer all of the benefits found in more expensive models. Some drawbacks include a smaller running surface than in other machines and a louder motor. Additionally, Proform treadmills come with a 90-day warranty whereas other exercise equipment might have a lifetime warranty.

Prices for Proform treadmills range from $599 to $1,699, and they are available through the Internet or most major sporting goods stores.

Once you have your machine, try some of these fat-burning treadmill workouts.

If you haven't already seen the infamously hilarious Shake Weight commercials (check it out below), or seen celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres and Queen Latifah poking fun at the weight-lifting product, we'll clue you in. The Shake Weight for women is an "As Seen on TV" 2.5-pound dumbbell-like product with spring-action that supposedly targets your biceps, triceps, shoulders and chest, and claims you'll only need to work out six minutes a day to get the full muscle-toning benefits.

The men's commercial, seemingly aimed at wannabe bodybuilders, asks, "Would you like to get your arms ripped? Your shoulders pumped and your chest sculpted ... Do you hate working out for hours at the gym with big, bulky equipment, or boring, slow dumbbells?"

The Shake Weight for women commercial, meanwhile, is aimed at fans of Michelle Obama's arms. "Work out your entire upper body in just six minutes a day," the ad touts. "You'll get arms you'll be proud to show off. Feel free to go sleeveless."

The commercials go on to explain these claims are possible because of "dynamic inertia." The manufacturers assert that if men use the Shake Weight for just one minute it's equivalent to doing 240 repetitions of regular weight-lifting. For women, the commercial explains, "Scientific studies at a prestigious University prove that the Shake Weight increases upper-body muscle activity by 300 percent compared to traditional weights." All that for a price tag of $19.95 (plus shipping) for the ladies' version or $29.95 (plus shipping) for guys.

Medicine balls, also known as "med balls," are weighted balls about 14 inches in diameter and available in weights ranging from two to 25 pounds. They can be used for strength and agility training, physical therapy and injury rehabilitation, and fat-burning interval exercises. Medicine balls are also particularly valuable for training the core, as well as the shoulders and lower body.

Medicine ball training is an "old school" form of exercise that's making a big comeback. In ancient Greece, Hippocrates stuffed animal skins with sand so his patients could toss them back and forth. Today, medicine balls are generally covered in leather, vinyl or polyester. Firm medicine balls are ideal for resistance training, while the softer, polyester-covered models are great for throwing, catching, bouncing and partner exercises.

Medicine ball training is ideal for both beginners and advanced exercisers because the weight of the ball can be scaled to participants' fitness levels. Lighter medicine balls -- four, six and eight pounds -- are the best option for partner exercises like one-arm throws, chest passes, overhead throws and rotations. A 10- or 12-pound ball can be used for sit-ups, squats and lunges in place of dumbbells, and may even be more effective in getting toned than using dumbbells or weight machines.

Check out these 10 cool exercises with medicine balls for easy ways to incorporate medicine ball training into your workout routine.

A kettlebell workout is done with a kettlebell or traditional Russian weight used for strength training. The kettlebell, typically made from cast iron, can weigh as little as 10 pounds or more than 100 pounds and looks like a large cannonball with a handle on top. Called "one of the most effective means of strength development" by the Soviet armed forces, kettlebell workouts have been popular in Russia for decades and have recently caught on in the U.S.

There are numerous benefits from kettlebell workouts. Training with kettelbells builds strength without adding bulk by allowing users to develop lean muscles. Kettlebell workouts also increase explosive power, agility and stamina. Those who want to outfit their home gym without too much expense often turn to kettlebells, too. Just one or two kettlebells can replace tons of other equipment like weights, barbells, dumbbells and cardio machines.

Kettlebell workouts are effective for toning the entire body because multiple muscle groups are engaged throughout each exercise. These workouts can be customized to different fitness levels, but beginners should work with an experienced instructor to make sure they are using correct form. Like any other piece of exercise equipment, kettlebells that are used incorrectly can cause injuries.

Basic kettlebell moves include the swing, high pull, snatch, overhead press and Turkish get-up. Classic kettlebells can be purchased online and range in price from $47 to $218 each.

When you're ready to begin using kettlebells, you can pull together your own kettlebell workout.

Vibration training has been getting a lot of buzz over the last couple of years -- Madonna is said to use it, and a number of gyms and health clubs are shaking things up for their clients with it too. But really, it's nothing new. Olympic athletes have actually been incorporating vibration training into their workouts for more than 40 years!

But, what if your gym doesn't have a whole-body vibration training machine? Or what if you just prefer working out at home? What can you do? Because, unless you're Samantha from "Sex and the City," I'm going to bet you don't have the tools at home to create enough vibration.

Fortunately, Gaiam has the ChiVibe, a whole-body vibration machine for your home. It has a wide, long base and offers optional resistance cords to help you intensify the results. The high-frequency vibration impulses are supposed to contract your muscles, which will help you achieve greater muscle strength and bone density in addition to better circulation and speedier weight loss.

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So you know which fork is for salad and which is for your main meal. Guys, you know to open doors for women. And you never let a thank you card sit unwritten. But do you know proper gym etiquette?

Even if you're a gym etiquette dummy, never fear. Dummies.com has tips for mastering gym etiquette. For example:

• Don't rest on weight equipment between sets. The equipment is for everyone, and your little break could be holding someone else up.
  
• Manage your own sweat. Bring a towel with you and wipe off equipment when you're done. It's just plain nasty to go to a machine and find someone's sweat waiting for you.
  
• Use the lockers. So great, you have a gym bag. But please don't tote it around from machine to machine. Stow it in a locker ... that's what they're for.
  

For more tips on gym etiquette, see the full article on Dummies.com.

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I don't know what it's like where you live, but outside my window there's very little green to be seen. Everything is covered in a thick and frosty layer of white. But just because you don't see much green, doesn't mean you can't go green when it comes to winter sports. As an added perk ... you'll end up with more green in your wallet.

• Rent. If you hit the ski hill only once or twice a year, you really don't need to own your equipment.
  
• Buy used. Ebay, used sporting goods stores, and sites likes Craig's List and Freecycle are great places to search for sports equipment. Keep your eye out for skis, snowboards, skates, hockey gear, and other winter treasures.
• Equipment swap. Many ski clubs hold equipment swaps where you can bring in your unused gear and look for something new (to you, anyway). If you have a child on a hockey league or other winter sport, consider setting up an equipment swap with other parents.

If you've got old equipment that's really not fit for use anymore, try to find a new purpose for it and keep it out of a landfill. I unloaded a ridiculously old set of skis on Freecycle last fall; the person who picked them up is going to attach them to the bottom of a large crate so he can easily tow his gear across the ice on his way to his ice-fishing shanty. You just never know what use people can get out of old items.

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"I'd cook more if I had a better kitchen." Does this sound like the kind of excuse that might come out of your mouth? It would mine, but I can't ignore the fact that two years ago, when I was slumming it in a tiny one-bedroom rental place with a stove older than me, I cooked a lot more than I do now that I have quality appliances.

Thing is, the quality of your kitchen has nothing to do with your ability to cook. And, if you ask food guru Mark Bittman, blaming a small kitchen is no excuse. "When it comes to kitchens, size and equipment don't count nearly as much as devotion, passion, common sense and, of course, experience," he says. "To spend tens of thousands of dollars or more on a kitchen before learning how to cook ... is to fall into the same kind of silly consumerism that leads people to believe that an expensive gym membership will get them into shape."

If you want to get healthier, it's time to start taking an interest in what you're putting into your body by preparing your own meals -- small kitchen be darned. To find out what you can do with your limited cooking space, check out some of Bittman's advice here.

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Are you an outdoor exercise enthusiast? Do you reject the idea of running anywhere without trees and scenery? It must drive you crazy that the chilly temperatures and shorter days are sending you into the gym. Good news: Active.com has several suggestions to help you out.

In addition to listing the Cardio Top Five, Active has pointers on how to get a better indoor cardio workout on whatever equipment you choose to use. Remember, if you keep it interesting, you'll work harder. Check out the gallery for a few of the pointers I'll be taking to heart!

Funky machines at the gym are cool and all, but what I really love is a super simple device that allows me to do complex exercises and get a complete workout. And, with the STOTT Pilates Mini Flex Ball, that's just what I get.

To look at the Mini Flex Ball, you might not think there are all that many moves you can do with it. My first thought was to use it as a tool for crunches and honestly, even if that's all it could do, that would be enough. But, it comes with a DVD and mini poster to help you really enhance your workout.

The DVD leads you through 26 exercises over the course of about 40 minutes, moving you from abs to glutes, to back, arms, and thighs. It's easy to follow because the instructor talks you through the exercises in addition to showing you. I don't know about you, but I find that really handy because I don't want to have to stare at the screen the whole time I'm working out and with this video, I was able to get a great workout on the first try.

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There have been machines at the gym that I felt a little silly using for the first time. I actually had to get help on the kayak machine, and I'm pretty sure nobody has ever gone slower on the stepmill than I did my first time -- I was certain I would fall and die. Certain.

However, neither of those compare to the humiliation I imagine would accompany the use of the iGallop. Which is probably why it's something for home use, and not available in gyms.

I'm not going to lie -- I think it actually looks pretty fun. Then again, I also prefer a stability ball to an office chair. But, aside from the possible fun factor, what does it do for you?

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Have you ever watched those late-night infomercials touting the newest piece of exercise equipment? Personally, I'm not a big fan of home workout equipment. Most of them limit what they can do for your body and they just take up so much space! But sometimes you have to wonder ... is the latest, greatest machine really what you need to get a toned, firm body? Or is it just bound to become a dusty, expensive, clothing rack in your bedroom?

Some fitness experts rated six fitness fads to see if they're really as great as they say they are:

• Skorcher. This claims to be the world's best butt exercise, but it garnered mixed reviews from the experts. One said that all of the exercises the Skorcher offers can be done effectively without the machine. Another, however, thought it could really rev up your workout.
• Slanted Riser. These risers that angle your step aerobic bench got a decent review, because they add a new dimension to your step aerobic workout.
• The Brain Muscle Workout. This fitness DVD didn't strike the experts as anything new. But the mind/body connection the workout promotes is beneficial.
• Yoga fusion. Many DVDs and fitness classes have tried to add to the popularity of yoga. But one fitness expert doesn't like the trend. She feels that yoga is for meditation, and the new trend is trying to turn it into a weight loss or fitness activity.
• RealRyder. This indoor cycling bike that tilts and turns got rave reviews from one fitness expert, but another felt that the bike offered only slight advantages.
• Gravity. This machine is supposed to provide a full-body workout. One fitness expert says that the machine can provide what it claims, however, it's big and bulky (not to mention expensive) and adjusting the resistance is tricky.

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Recently, my son's two favorite activities have been going to the skate park and going to the BMX track. They're both favorite activities in my book as well. They're free, my son is being active and meeting friends, and I get time to walk around the parks or just relax and read a book.

I'm constantly surprised at how few children wear helmets or other safety gear. My son hates his wrist guards, but he doesn't complain otherwise. And, thankfully, none of the non-helmet wearing crowd has poked fun at my son. My son knows that he only has one choice in the matter -- wear the safety gear or don't skateboard/bike. It's just not a risk worth taking.

According to the CDC, about 300,000 sports-related concussions occur each year in the US. There are some basic pieces of safety gear kids should wear when playing sports.

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Fitness gear certainly has its place and its purpose. From exercise balls to hand weights to resistance bands to pretty much anything else you can imagine, the right gear can enhance and improve your workout. But sometimes pulling out all the equipment is more of a hindrance than a help.

When you're on the road or you just don't feel like pulling the exercise clutter back into your living room, try these no-equipment-required exercises from Women's Health.

I gave the workout a try and loved it. I felt a bit silly doing moves like the Rock 'n Roll and the Grand Plie Jump, but after taking a moment to appreciate the privacy of my living room, I knew the moves were well worth it. The Pushup Crawl is even harder than it looks ... I think I'm still feeling that one!

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When it comes to fitness opportunities China is doing something right. I recently read a blog post that discusses the public fitness centers that are available there and how many of the people that frequent the sites are older. In some cases -- like for one 82-year-old woman -- they spend hours each day taking advantage of the free community fitness equipment.

When I think of the public parks in my community, they're very kid-oriented. Which isn't a bad thing, of course, but what about the adults that live in this community? There are basketball hoops which are obviously appropriate for any age, and there is a sidewalk running around the perimeter of the park for running or walking. Other than that, the equipment is of the playground variety.

This makes me wonder, if fitness equipment geared toward adults was provided in local parks, would you take advantage of the opportunity? I know I would. When my son and I visit our favorite park in the area, I often circle around the park to try to squeeze in a little fitness while he's playing.

[via SmarterFitter]

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