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You'll also want to consider how far you're planning on taking your fitness program. For some, a starter set with a few basic weights will do the trick. Others may find themselves running out of weights. With machines, you are limited by the size of the stack so having a stack that goes heavy and haves more plates is obviously a more flexible option than a smaller stack with less graduations between the weights. For free weights, you'll also have to consider how many and what type of weight plates you'll invest in. The last thing you want is to break your personal bench press record and then hit a brick wall because there's no more weight to add.

If you're looking for a general solution that is compact and easy to use, a general rule of thumb is that it should allow for the basic compound exercises that work all areas of the body. These include (but aren't necessarily limited to) bench press (chest), rows (bent-over or cable for upper back), squats (front of the legs), squats with smith machine, leg press (front of the legs), dead lifts (back of legs) and optionally leg curls (back of legs), pull-ups (upper back), dips (chest and back of the arm), assisted chin ups, military press (shoulders), lat pull down (upper back), assisted dips (necessary if you cannot support your own bodyweight at first), triceps extensions (back of the arms), biceps curls (front of the arms), and abdominal and lower back (i.e. crunches, leg raises, hyperextensions, etc.).

If you're not sure about some of these, take this list with you and have the sales representative show how the machine can perform the various exercises (or, if you are one of the modern, savvy Internet buyers, send an e-mail and ask about them instead).

For more on what the Titan T1 can offer you please click here to view the Titan T1 Specifications.

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