The frenzy for exercise equipment is every increasing. Media channels are flooded with one spectacular exercise machine after another, each designed to target a new appendage or muscle that has yet to be reached. Some would lead even me to believe exercising is fun; others confirm one's belief that it's pure torture. Whatever you may think it is everybody's doing it!

It seems to me it would behoove the men especially to heed a word of caution: with all those additional Abs and increased muscles being hyped, where are you going to put 'em? You've only got so much arm, leg or stomach, what then? As for you ladies, will you really slim down or bulge up? Where do the muscles hide? Please be careful.

As you've no doubt surmised, I lack expertise in the fitness realm, but please don't stop reading. With all the excellent TV infomercials and the sophisticated new and up-dated plaza gyms opening up, I need to get with it and see what the attraction is. I'm really motivated by all the densely populated gyms, pulsating with sweating, tenacious bodies, thankfully clothed in the latest designer "sweats".

Yet with all this national craze centered upon exercise machines it begs the question "is all this equipment necessary for losing weight and being fit?" Someone might answer "people have been slim and trim for hundreds of years without all these machines that are at out disposal-why do we need them now?"

So the question still remains: do we really need all these machines? The professional trainers have nailed the answer: It is not a need, it's a convenience or comfort aspect of exercise. Stretching, bending, crunching is easier to do with the help of the machine at home. It's more comfortable and it still does the job, even as you exercise in front of the TV, watching the newest infomercial hyping the next great machine coming up.

We've talked about gyms with machines and home machines -which is best for you? Do you use your workout time to socialize, to be with friends and to lunch later? Many people do that to their advantage. Many, like myself, prefer keeping our activities separate, choosing to concentrate on one thing at a time - like exercising in the gym and socializing at a favorite restaurant, place of worship or entertainment center.

So I think it all comes down to each individual person. Even though exercise equipment, like a treadmill, costs a good bit of money if it does its job and keeps you fit how can you put a price tag on your personal health. Personally I have belonged to various gyms and I found it to be too time consuming. Now I have four different exercise machines and love them — they have kept me tone and fit.

Whichever you prefer, the home or the gym, professional trainers encourage you to consult a professional to plan your program, or to research and map out your own plan for the safest and most effective results. Usually the instructions with your exercise equipment have a suggested plan of action. So all you "hefty, hearty and happies" start pumpin', stretchin', pedalin', and crunchin' and join ranks with the trim, fit and slim.