When I'm on a treadmill, I simply walk or run with the aid of my trusty MP3 player and a few favorite songs. No books for me. Or magazines. Or TV. I figure if I'm on my machine to get a workout, I don't need any multimedia distractions slowing me down. But these distractions might be just what some people need to get them to the cardio finish line. If you happen to be one such person, you've got to check out this contraption.

It's called the Expresso Bike and boy, does it entertain. I'm talking TV, Internet, headphone plug-in, and access to all sorts of different workouts. Choose the recumbent bike or the upright bike, and you'll have the online world at your fingertips -- if you want to have the online world at your fingertips, that is. And if you have something like $5,000. Yep, this is one expensive piece of equipment.

I think I'll stick with my still-working and affordable eight-year-old treadmill tucked in the corner of my kids' playroom. No bells and whistles on my old jalopy -- just how I like it. A little Pink and Nickelback strapped to my arm is all I need. How about you? Would you spring for this thing if money were no object? And will you hop on one if you stumble upon it at your gym?

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When it comes to working out, I definitely prefer cardio to weights. Don't get me wrong, I do the weights, they're just not my favourite. I prefer to pop in my headphone, blare the tunes on my iPod and run my worries away on the treadmill. Yes, weights are important, but cardio is also important, so don't feel bad if you're a fellow cardio junky -- it's definitely one of the better habits to have.

There are plenty of ways to get your cardio in, but the most popular cardio exercises at the gym seem to revolve around the treadmill, the elliptical trainer, the stationary bike, the recumbent bike and the Stairmaster. Which one do you love the most? Or at least tolerate the most?

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Does this sound like you? Enter gym, head straight for elliptical machine, do 45 minutes, go home. That was me when I still had a gym membership. I didn't know how to use many of the machines in the weight area, and even if I did, the muscle bound men and women in there were looked way too intimidating (but maybe that was just me!). But if you're going to pay $50 or more per month for a gym membership, you might as well make use of every inch of it, right?

That's why I love this article which will help you get your money's worth and use every corner of your gym. For instance, did you know that some of the lesser used equipment like a stepmill or a recumbent bike may actually help you burn more calories? Plus, no time wasted waiting in line! And did you also know that if you lift up your feet when using upper body machines, you'll get an ab workout at the same time? It's little tips like those that will make your workout even more worth your while.

According to the article, people who signed up for classes at their gym showed up 2.9 times more often than those who didn't. So why not sign up for a class next time you visit? You may find that you love your new routine and knowing you have a Thursday night "date" with a fitness instructor may help you stay true to your fitness goals.

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