BUYING A TREADMILL

or some other piece of pricey home-fitness equipment seems like a great step toward fulfilling your New Year's resolution. But for many people, the sad truth is that the only real exercise they end up getting is when they drag the barely-used behemoth out to the curb.

More than half of consumers say they would exercise more if they had exercise equipment in their home, according to Nautilus, a home-fitness-equipment manufacturer. But a separate survey by Consumer Reports found that 37% of consumers who do purchase home equipment exercise less than anticipated.

The major pitfall is the same one that causes consumers to sign up for a gym membership and abandon it within weeks they make an emotional commitment before an active one, says Cedric Bryant, chief exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit educational group. If you can't work up the energy to jog around the block a few times each morning, then buying an expensive piece of exercise equipment is unlikely to motivate you. "You need to be already committed to your goal of becoming physically active," he says.

If you're confident your fitness habits are unswerving, then be prepared to pay up. The most basic machines cost several hundred dollars (the Image 17.5S treadmill costs $300), while high-end equipment can fetch thousands (the Life Fitness F3 Advanced treadmill costs $2,800). Getting a case of buyer's remorse can be even more financially painful. The average resale value for a treadmill is $136 (compare that to the average $1,200 you'd shell out for a new one); $55 for a stationary bike (vs. an average $300 for a new one).

Try these five tips to ensure you're getting a machine that's worth the cost and that will make an impact, rather than serve as a pricey towel rack:

Measure twice, buy once

So you've figured out that the rowing machine that you've been eyeing can

fit between your bed and dresser. Don't put the tape measure away quite yet. Knowing the dimensions of the equipment and your space isn't enough, says Jack Barnathan, director of fitness sciences for the International Sport Sciences Association, which certifies personal trainers. "You have elbows, knees, arms and legs," he explains. In other words, the way you use the equipment alters its working dimensions. A half-foot of ceiling clearance may seem like enough to accommodate your multifunction home gym, but just try to complete a pull-up without banging your head and you'll learn otherwise. Try out the equipment in-store to get a sense of how far your legs extend off the bench, or how far your reach is while on that elliptical machine. If you don't have ample space for the equipment, don't buy it.

Find the right fit

A stationary bike is a stationary bike, right? Wrong. To narrow the field of equipment possibilities, you'll need to determine exactly what you need from a machine and how you'll use it, says Robert Tiernan, managing editor for Consumer Reports. A runner, for example, will need a treadmill with a longer deck than someone who plans to use the machine for power walking. (The faster you move, the longer your stride.) Add-ons like heart-rate monitors and preprogrammed workout routines boost the cost, so only choose options that you'll actually use.

Also, when you go to the store, bring your running shoes and don't be afraid to ask to take the equipment for a test drive. A five- to 10-minute workout gives you a good sense of the machine, from how easy it is to adjust to how smoothly and quietly it operates. If your workout feels awkward or uncomfortable, that's not the machine for you.

You get what you pay for

"People sometimes get a little sticker shock, looking at exercise equipment," says Bryant. "But you get what you pay for." While it's true that pricier models have more bells and whistles, they also tend to be better made and more reliable. Forking over $300 for the cheapest of stair-climbing machines will probably get you one that burns out quickly. You're better off saving up for a quality machine, or pursuing a cheaper option such as spending $150 on step-training risers and a few aerobic tapes. To seek out the best machines in terms of price and quality, check out reviews at

, which collects expert product reviews, and

.

Be wary of made-for-TV machines

"Get six-pack abs in two weeks!" "Shed pounds effortlessly with just five minutes a day!" Such offers are tempting. The reality, however, is rarely so rewarding. "Most [made-for-TV] machines mimic exercises you could do more effectively on your own, without equipment," says Jamie Hirsh, an associate editor with Consumer Reports. The fine print also stipulates a reduced-calorie diet and extra aerobic exercise. "It's not that these machines are magic anyone who eats less and exercises more will lose weight," she says. Using the $200 Fluidity Bar a floor-standing ballet bar with mat, resistance bands and instructional DVD twice a week for 30 minutes without diet or additional exercise, a 165-pound person would need 16 weeks to lose a single pound of fat, according to Consumer Reports.

If you simply must have that Leg Magic Professional or other made-for-TV exercise equipment, buy it through a major retailer rather than calling the toll-free number on your TV screen, says Justin Leonard, founder of InfomercialScams.com. Store-sold versions are different models, and are often better constructed. You'll avoid the messy fine print infomercial products are famous for, from inflated payment plans to hidden shipping charges. Plus, if you're dissatisfied with your purchase, you'll have an easier time getting your money back.

Weigh service agreements

When you're shopping around for the best equipment and the best price, don't forget to look beyond that initial purchase. Read the service agreements from both the retailer and manufacturer carefully, cautions Tiernan. Most guarantee the machine's frame for life, with individual parts under warranty for up to a year. Insist on at-home servicing, unless you relish the idea of using your newfound physical fitness to lug that weighty machine back to the store. It's also important to ask about the store's return policy. Most major retailers allow you to return the product for a full refund with up to 30 days of in-home use.