The best places to buy exercise equipment

January is the busiest time of year for exercise equipment sales, as well-fed consumers look to make good on their health-based New Year's resolutions. But if you're considering a home treadmill, elliptical, spin bike, or rowing machine, it might make sense to pull the trigger sooner. Retailers are rolling out special deals now, looking to get in on the holiday traffic, plus you'll find a wider selection of models, including the top picks from Consumer Reports' latest tests.

While you can purchase exercise equipment online, we don't recommend it. The fit and feel of the machines is very important to your workout experience, especially with ellipticals, where the wrong ergonomics can wreak havoc on your pedaling stride. That leaves two brick-and-mortar options: big-box shops, including those that specialize in sports equipment, like Dicks Sporting Goods and Sports Authority, as well as home centers like Sears and Walmart. The other way to go is with a specialty dealer, assuming there's one located nearby.

If you do have access to a specialty dealer, it's at least worth a visit, especially if you're considering one of the higher-end models that dominate the top of our Ratings, such as the Precor TRM 243 non-folding treadmill or the Landice E7 Pro Sport elliptical. The staff at these stores tends to be very knowledgeable, plus you'll be able to try all the different machines. One more thing: dealers typically offer delivery and installation. The service might set you back another $150 or so, but given the weight of these machines and their often complex assembly, it could be money well spent.

If saving money is your top concern, and you don't mind lugging a few-hundred pound box into your home and handling the assembly, then check out the big-box stores. Sears, for example, carries many models that did well in our tests, including the Schwinn 470 elliptical and the NordicTrack Elite 9700 Pro treadmill. Keep in mind that assembly is usually a two-person job, especially when it comes to connecting the console to the machine. As with any installation, make sure to read the instructions all the way through before getting started.

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter)

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