Sport, Outdoors & Fitness

It is best to start out with gym equipment that you are comfortable with or enjoy using. Personal preferences aside, each type of equipment has features to look out for when buying. Many have health tracking features.

Treadmills are the most popular home gym equipment. The faster you jog or run, the longer your stride is, so make sure the treadmill has enough length for you at higher speeds. Check the sides of the moving belt are easy for you to stand on or quickly jump to if you feel out of control or off balance while using the machine.

For exercise bikes you should make sure the seat can easily be adjusted to a comfortable height for everyone who will be using it. If the bike seat feels uncomfortable to sit on for longer periods you may want to look at a replacement seat or a gel seat cover, which can be purchased from many bike shops.

If you have low ceilings, you should check that you won’t hit your head whilst using an elliptical trainer. Some models can be folded to save space.

The top speed of an electric scooter varies between different models. The top speed for most e-scooters is between 25 and 50 km per hour, although this can be affected by several factors.

Weight will make it harder for an e-scooter to reach its top speed. Most manufacturers will provide maximum weight capacities, which are useful to check particularly if you are heavier or you want to carry things with you as you ride. Extra weight will also drain your e-scooters battery more quickly.

The size of the tyres and the terrain you are travelling over will also affect speed. Rocky surfaces and dirt tracks are more demanding than city streets.

Most electric scooters come with a built-in speed limiter to prevent them from exceeding the legal limit. Each state and territory in Australia has different rules and regulations in place for the use of electric scooters, including limits on top speeds and motor capacities. It is the responsibility of each user to check their local laws before riding.

Many electric bikes are water resistant and can be ridden effectively under a variety of conditions, including rainy weather. If you want to be able to ride your electric bike in the rain you should first check with the manufacturer to make sure your model has been rated for riding in the rain.

There are some things you can do to prepare yourself for wet weather cycling and help keep you safe and comfortable. Wet conditions can make it difficult to see cyclists on the road. Investing in front and rear lights that you can fit on your bike or helmet will help other vehicles see you.

Your clothing will quickly become soaked in the rain, so it is a good idea to wear a lightweight, water resistant jacket or coat to protect your clothes from the damp. Synthetic fibres and woollen clothing are a safer option than cotton in wet conditions.

You should also invest in sealed and waterproof dry bags to safely store your belongings, especially if you carry papers or a laptop with you when you ride.

Treadmills are a type of home gym equipment designed to let you do walking, jogging or running exercises from the comfort of your home. Many treadmills can adjust the intensity of the workout by changing the speed of the belt that you are running/walking on or by changing the incline of the surface that supports the belt. Incline can be used to replicate hills and slopes that you might encounter when exercising outdoors.

Whether you prefer to control speed or incline, both types of treadmill adjustments will help you burn calories and improve your endurance, leg strength and lung strength (aerobic fitness). Whilst increasing the incline and speed will each have different advantages; it is worth remembering that the best workout routines are the ones we enjoy doing.

When you increase the incline or speed on a treadmill, your body will need to burn more calories to keep up the pace. Introducing an incline will help improve muscle strength in your legs, whilst speed improves endurance.