Basketball, tennis, soccer and more are all great ways to exercise. They require only inexpensive equipment, get you out in the fresh air and provide a full body workout with huge cardiovascular benefits. But sports like these can be very hard on the joints. They stress the knees and ankles and may be inappropriate for older people or those who've recently had surgery or given birth.

Low-impact fitness gear to the rescue!

There are half a dozen different kinds of fitness equipment that offer the ability to build strength and coordination, improve balance and optimize joint health. Cardiovascular health and lung capacity are not neglected here, either. Several of the items discussed below offer those benefits as part of an overall low-impact exercise program.

Rowing machines, for example, offer a full body workout that gives tremendous cardiovascular benefits with little stress on the joints. On the contrary, a rowing machine helps improve joint health by keeping supporting muscles strong and encouraging lubrication.

Stationary bikes or spinning cycles also provide a great cardio workout as they emphasize development of the hamstrings, quadriceps and glutes. They really work the muscles that stabilize the knees and provide similar benefits to ankle joints.

Stair stepping is another low-impact exercise and stair steppers are usually less expensive than many other items in the home gym. They keep knee-stabilizing quadriceps firm as they help shape up the calves and give an all-round good cardio workout.

For those with a little bigger budget a treadmill is a superb piece of low-impact fitness equipment. Walking in general is great for health. But sometimes sidewalks can be a little hard on the ankles and knees. Also, you may want to keep your workout indoors for reasons of safety or convenience, especially if you tend to exercise in the evenings. Treadmills are the perfect low-impact item to help you achieve those values.

An elliptical trainer is the latest must-have addition to the home gym, but it's not just a fad. Over the years since their introduction they've proven their worth. They help improve coordination, develop leg and back muscles, and optimize the cardiovascular system. But, unlike the outdoor exercises they emulate an elliptical doesn't stress the joints.

Even a weight machine can provide a whole set of low-impact exercises that build strength, tone, curb body fat and burn calories. Weight machine exercises do put some stress on joints, to be sure. But there's a big difference in effect on the knees between, say, a leg-press that works the hamstrings, calves and quads and the pounding that jogging entails.

There are a variety of reasons that finding low-impact exercises can be near the top of someone's fitness goals. Recent surgery or other medical condition, advancing age, or a dozen other life circumstances can make it important to take extra care with joints and bones. Fortunately, there are several items of fitness equipment that make it easy to satisfy those goals.

Want to take your cardio workout to the max? Get a stair stepper. Want to work those calves and thighs till they burn just right? Buy a climber. Want to strengthen those back muscles with a simple piece of fitness equipment? Same answer. Want to do all that with gear that can easily be stowed in the closet when you're not using it? Ditto.

Some models are nothing more than a pair of foot-sized movable platforms that offer resistance as you press down with the leg. That builds coordination and moderate strength, even for the elderly recovering from surgery. Adjustable models let you increase the resistance to match your level of ability and desired workout.

Many models provide handles that add safety and can provide the ability to work other muscle groups. Isometrics let you build strength in the arms while you work those calves and thighs. Some with movable handles provide a piece of gear that is very close to an elliptical and increases the upper body workout.

But stair steppers or climbers do much more than just build strength or even provide a great cardio workout. Because of the type of movements involved, you're doing good work to improve joint health in half a dozen ways with a stepper.

As you simulate walking up stairs, the muscles around the knees and ankles build up. Tendons and ligaments get strengthened. That increases stability that is important at any age. At the same time, as the bones slide over one another, fluid is encouraged to fill the area. That leads to flexibility and better long term joint health.

Studies show that these types of exercises also help maintain or even increase bone density. As we age, bones can get thinner and more brittle. Moderate, age and fitness-level appropriate exercise helps stave off osteoporosis.

Increased joint stability, greater flexibility and better bone density all combine to lower the odds of falls and offer better protection from injury when they happen. That benefit isn't just for the elderly, either. It can be a big boon to mothers who are close to giving birth and those that have recently. It's valuable for those who have had recent surgery, too.

But stair steppers and climbers are good for anyone, at any level of fitness or in any life circumstance. Because they help develop better posture, they help achieve more confidence and a more attractive appearance. That's beneficial for everyone.

Since even a good basic stair stepper can be purchased for less than $100 that's a terrific set of benefits at a very affordable price. Most in this range are called mini-steppers. By comparison a good treadmill can easily run over $1,000. There are stair steppers that cost as much as $2,500 and they offer increased value, with built-in heart rate monitors, adjustable resistance levels and more. But even the low-end models offer multiple health benefits.

Buy a stair stepper or climber and you'll start to enjoy those benefits right away.

Today, luckily for those concerned about fitness, there is a wide range of quality home gym fitness equipment that is both affordable and really useful. Sure, there is hype. There is gear that could never live up to some advertising claims. But those are the exception. Most offer great value for years of use.

Treadmills are popular and still gaining ground. Elliptical trainers, once suspect, have now firmly proven their worth. A rowing machine is a much more common item in a home gym than ever before. You can fool some of the people some of the time. But the widespread popularity of these items is no accident. They deliver.

Even simple dumbbells or free weights - relatively inexpensive and simple to use - continue to deliver good value. They provide a range of motion unequaled by anything else. The weight can be gradually increased as you improve, or scaled back when need be, say after an injury or when they're used by more than one person in the home. Resistance bands can also build strength and improve joint health, and are available in a range suitable for different individuals.

Weight machines take the values achievable to the next level. While they can be pricey, those who own them clearly think the money is well spent. They offer a variety of stations that permit a range of exercises in a safe, fast and easy to use setting. A weight machine will be a valuable addition to the home gym for years.

Several other items typically found in the complete home gym likewise continue to deliver value because they're perfect for low-impact exercise. Stair steppers or climbers, aerobic riders, stationary bikes or spinning cycles, and more provide a great cardio workout and burn calories as they strengthen and tone.

Pilates equipment has more and more come to be included among this group, too. As the range of Pilates exercises increases, the need for equipment grows. To get the most out of your home gym, you'll want to include things like a magic ring, a Pilates ball or even a reformer.

To measure the results you get a few fitness accessories are always helpful. Some, such as a heart rate monitor, are often included as part of a treadmill or elliptical or other equipment. Those available as stand alone items are sometimes lower cost and more accurate, though.

When you go to outfit your home gym you'll have to consider a variety of factors. Cost is always a concern. But sheer price means little without considering quality and safety and other important aspects.

The most important criterion, though, may well be just how much enjoyment and value you get out of your home gym fitness equipment. After all, if you don't use it, it isn't doing you any good.

Luckily, but not accidentally, much of the gear that is on the market today is high quality, long lasting and reasonably priced considering how long it lasts. They're also a great deal considering how much good they do for your health, self-esteem and overall well-being.