"Writing this is difficult, because I know that no matter what I write, words cannot convey the absolute appreciation I have for your salesperson at the King of Prussia store. I purchased a Landice L7 treadmill and we are thrilled. We spent 5 days shopping different products and stores. So how did we end up with a Landice L7? We did because of your sales person in the store!"

-Leslie L., 1/4/08
King of Prussia, PA store

Creating a fitness plan? Why bother?

Why? Because studies consistently show that more than 90% of people who plan their goals, accomplish them.

Your personal fitness plan is The Great Motivator
Your plan keeps you accountable to yourself to do what you’ve promised you’ll do, and lets you measure your progress virtually daily. Your plan gives you milestones en route to your health and fitness goals—measurable results, and on-going rewards for your commitment.

What do you want to accomplish?
A 7-minute mile after 6 months? Lose 25 pounds? Develop your upper body? Get toned? Get into a Size 10 in time for the wedding? Wear a bikini next summer? EVERYTHING starts from what you want to accomplish, from the results that you want to achieve.

Nail it down from the start. “I want to be in shape” is not enough
Your hopes and goals, and your plan, are uniquely yours. So, think it all the way through until you can specify what “in shape” means to you. Slimmer? Toned? Stronger? Faster? Cardio endurance? Rehabilitation? Be as specific as you can (e.g. No. of pounds to lose or to lift… or a lower %-body-fat target). The more specific your goals, the better you’ll be able to visualize them and work towards them.

Aim for what you can hit. Hit what you aim for
Don’t set yourself up to fail by aiming for the moon! Set realistic, achievable goals, both long and short term—but focus on the short term. If your long-term goal is, say, to shed X-many pounds in 12 months, and you don’t break the year into shorter-term milestones, it’s easy to let your discipline lapse—because, after all, “there’s still plenty of time.” But “2 lb a week” is an immediate objective, a far less daunting task, and a regular reward and affirmation of your effort. Another effective idea is to make establishing your routine your first target: e.g. “30 minutes, 4 days a week.” Keep your short-term achievements coming—and the long-term results will follow right along.

Keep a fitness log
Maintain your fitness log of workouts and results as diligently as your bank book! Tracking your achievements over time stokes the incentive fires, and also lets you make adjustments based on actual results. (Note: some top-of-the-line home fitness machines will keep a computerized log for you.)

Make workouts a habit — part of your normal lifestyle
Create a schedule that best suits the realities of your daily life. Make it part of your normal routine and set your goals around the activities of your days. What’s best for you—morning, afternoon, or evening? Can you move other activities around? Will you be the only user of your home fitness equipment?

Don’t bail if you fail
As the poet says, “The best-laid plans go oft astray.” So, chances are, you’re not going to reach every milestone right on schedule. But don’t let your head droop if you’re not doing as well as you hoped, or not progressing as quickly as expected. In fact, reject the whole notion of failure. Missing an objective is simply an opportunity to figure out why—and adjust your plan accordingly. Remember, extraordinary results are achieved by doing ordinary things on a consistent basis.

3 + 1: Cardio, flexibility, strength + diet
A complete home health and fitness plan will include cardio, stretching, strength work — and a healthy eating plan. (If you decide on a particular diet as part of your plan, it’s a good idea to track your food intake in your fitness log.)

Get a fitness professional’s input
If you know a personal trainer, ask them about your plan and your goals… or come on in to your nearest Leisure Fitness Equipment Store and talk to a home fitness specialist. You’re about to invest significant money, and commit your time and effort to health and fitness. The more expert knowledge and advice you can acquire up front, the better-informed and better-suited your equipment choice will be — and the better the odds on achieving the results you want.

What is your budget?
You can create a fitness plan around a functional training kit for a few hundred dollars — or a complete, top-of-the-line, super-featured home fitness center for several thousand. You’ll find more detailed advice on this subject at our Buying fitness equipment page.