Well, it’s a new year and you’re contemplating another piece of exercise equipment for your home. However, you don’t want your next purchase to end up in the so-called “Fitness Graveyard.” You know what I’m talking about, right? – That accumulation of nifty gadgets covered in a dusty covering of cobwebs piled up in the corner of your garage. Dare we utter the name of these ancient items that have coagulated to form a hideous sculpture that screams “Stop watching infomercials!” Come on, you know there’s a thigh master in that mess somewhere! I propose an exodus from exercise equipment or a way out, if you will. Let’s clean up the graveyard and leave those training relics behind. We can call it a fitness genesis if you like: becoming a new creation ready to set new fitness goals. However, we need to lay a proper foundation to achieve those goals. Rule number one: No more gimmicks with exercise equipment! We need equipment that will withstand years of use, is affordable in the long run, and is easy to use. We need fitness equipment that is truly a cornerstone in the fitness regimen and doesn’t end up in the graveyard. What kind of home workout equipment can meet these attributes? The answer is simple: a treadmill.

Let’s talk about the basics first. Why not take advantage of an exercise that has already been integrated into our physical constitution since the dawn of man? Well, let’s not get anthropological: how about since man has been righteous or since Adam was created from dust? Whatever his beliefs, nothing is simpler than putting one foot in front of the other (well, little kids are exceptions).

A treadmill can provide an easy and efficient workout and offer different levels of difficulty. Did I say easy and difficult in the same sentence? What I mean is that walking is easy, but the workout can be customized for all fitness levels. Beginners and advanced exercisers alike can get a great workout on a treadmill. You can walk, jog, or run on a treadmill no matter your fitness level. Most treadmills come with programs that accommodate all fitness levels using the incline and speed features. There are plenty of treadmills to choose from online.

I know: the solution to an effective home workout seems overly simple, but it is. Go get yourself a treadmill. There is no learning curve for a treadmill. You can just get on the platform and go. You can set your own pace or have a program set it for you. Treadmills reign supreme when it comes to cardio equipment use. I can’t cite any studies (although I’m sure they exist), but I’ve had a treadmill for five years and use it at least twice a week in combination with other equipment. This comes from the queen of the exercise graveyard (according to my husband, who is glad to have her garage back). So what are you waiting for? Go for a walk and get a treadmill!