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The Muscle Hustle: Test Your Exercise I.Q.

Look for equipment that offers a total workout. The best route to overall fitness is one that incorporates a variety of physical activities as part of a daily routine.

Remember that no exercise device can burn fat off a particular part of your body. To turn a "beer belly" into a "six pack stomach," you must combine sensible eating with regular exercise that works the whole body. The reason: Everything you eat has calories and everything you do uses calories. Your weight depends on the number of calories you eat and use each day. Increasing your daily physical activity will burn extra calories.

Be skeptical of outrageous claims. Ads that promise "easy" or "effortless" results are false. And many ads that make big claims about the number of calories you’ll burn also may be deceptive. Some of these claims are true only for athletes already in top physical shape; others may not be true for anyone.

Think twice about dramatic testimonials or before-and-after pictures from satisfied customers. These may not be typical. Celebrity endorsements don’t necessarily mean the equipment is right for you, either.

Get the total cost of the product before you buy. Total cost includes sales tax, shipping and handling, delivery, and setup fees. Get the details on warranties, guarantees, and return policies. Check out the company’s customer service and support, too, in case you need replacement parts. Try any toll-free numbers to see whether help really is accessible.

What's Your Exercise I.Q.

1. TRUE. Real fitness requires regular activity, sensible eating and a healthy lifestyle. Exercise need not be grueling, but there are no "three minute a day" shortcuts to better flexibility, improved muscular strength, enhanced physical endurance, or improved cardiovascular or respiratory efficiency—or weight loss.
2. TRUE. Everyone burns calories while they're exercising. But one of the great benefits of an active lifestyle is that it can boost your metabolism even when you're at rest.
3. FALSE. Shipping charges, postage, handling, delivery, or other hidden fees can add on to the cost of exercise equipment. Whether you order by phone or buy at a retail store, find out the real cost before making a purchase.
4. FALSE. Strength training isn't just for the "body beautiful" types. Lean muscle burns more calories than flab. Sensible weight training helps maintain muscle tone and endurance.
5. FALSE. The most common cause of a "beer belly" is fat—not weak muscles. Sit-ups may help tone the abs, but only a sensible diet combined with regular exercise can turn a "beer belly" into a "six pack stomach."
6. TRUE. Cross-training—a regular program combining different types of activity—is your best route to fitness. A combination of your favorite activities—walking, swimming, biking, dancing—can help you shape up while avoiding the boredom and burnout of one kind of exercise.
7. TRUE. But get the facts first. Not all "money-back guarantees" are the same. How long do you have to return the equipment? If you order through the mail, how much will it cost to return it? Who pays for repairs?
8. TRUE. No exercise device can burn fat off a particular part of your body. The reason: Everything you eat has calories, and everything you do uses calories. Your weight depends on the number of calories you eat and use each day. Increasing your daily physical activity will burn extra calories.
9. TRUE. Before-and-after pictures can be eye-catching, but they may not always tell the whole story. Regular exercise is an important ingredient in moving from plump to "pumped," but diet plays a key part, too.

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