It’s the time of year when our personal health is top of mind.

You may have made some New Year’s resolutions to exercise more and those plans may include joining a health club or buying a piece of exercise equipment for your home. Or, maybe you’re moving your regular exercise routine indoors because of the weather.

Determining which piece of cardio equipment is best for you starts with determining your fitness goals. What you want to achieve will help you decide which machine you should purchase and also which features you may need.

Treadmills, stationary bikes and elliptical trainers tend to be the most popular pieces of cardio equipment at health clubs. If you’re looking to purchase one of these for your home, you want to look for a couple of things, including:

• A machine that comfortably fits your body.
• Safety features.
• Elements that affect the intensity of your workout like adjustable incline or resistance.
• Tools that help you track progress.

Watch this video, featuring Marshfield Clinic physical therapist Nicole Quarne, to learn more about features you may want to look for in exercise equipment. (And don’t forget to check with a health care provider before beginning a program of regular physical activity.)