I have a job in retail selling high end home fitness equipment. What can I write off if I keep receipts??
General purchases like lunch, office supplies, etc.... What can be written off given my line of work?

If you work in a set location, like a store/storefront, do little customer entertaining and don't already itemize your taxes, not much.

Driving to and from work, and eating your own lunch, are not expensible on your taxes. Driving to a customers, taking a customer out to lunch, and buying office supplies may be.

But in order to claim the expenses you have to have enough expenses to "beat" the standard deduction given to everyone.

Save your receipts and see a tax professional in the spring.

Which type of fitness equipment would be most suitable for me? i am a 24yr.old mom?
my average weight for the past 7 or more yrs. has been 105-110 lbs.Since the last 8 mths. i have been gaining weight;especially my stomach,and arms,and thighs.I also have lots of leg pain especially around my knees.Also because of getting an Epidural for giving birth to two kids i get backpain or backstrain a lot.so i'd love to know what machine is most suitable for my needs.

The best advise is use the brain. You have to have the mind set and the will power. Set your mine to what you want and the rest will come easy. The mind is the best tool for losing weight. Think about everything you eat and think about doing different things to burn off the fat. Start out walking either in a park or a treadmill. Once you start that and have will power you will find other things to do. Look at pictures of how you were each day to inspire you. Without the will to put forth the effort you will be wasting your time. staying in shape is 80% in the mind. Your body will only do what your brain tells it to.

What equipment do i need to start a fitness center and equipment?

You need a place, a space you usually have to rent or buy.
You need showers, toilets, sinks, lockers.
You need treadmills, stair-steppers, weight sets, weight machines.
You need a counter and a cash register. You need carpet and mirrors. A sauna, hot tub and pool are nice. You need chairs and a scale for people to weight themselves. Raquetball courts are common. a running track is nice. basketball courts are good

How do you know what is the best type of fitness equipment and the best place to buy it from?
I like the bowflex commercials and so forth for example. Plus the pilates gym stuff looks good and then the treadmill or cycles look good. I see them for sale everywhere! Qvc has some of the same products as advertised on the products own webpage for example. So where is the best place or store to buy equipment from? I see many at Wal-Mart, Sears, online... everywhere. I want one for strength training/toning and one for cardio. I don't want to spend a fortune, but I want to invest in something that will last and give me good results.

I needed cardio with little to no impact so I purchased a Gazelle Elite Glider (Fitness Quest) I really like it & I can do toning on it as well.
My husband really likes his Total Gym Platinum because it uses his own body weight as resistance.
He almost got the Bowflex, but they were recalled because the bows had broken of some of them & they are big & bulky. They almost need a room to themselves.
As for choosing the right one, I think it is up to you & what you are looking for in the equipment you buy. Also, the room you have to accomodate the equipment. And price of course....

What home fitness equipment offers the best results?
I want to purchase a single piece of workout equipment that offers aerobic activity but will also tone muscle. I want to burn fat and calories and tone my muscles without bulking up.

I have been running on a treadmill in our apartment complex gym, and love the results. But I was wondering if something like an elliptical machine would offer the same results or better without the wear and tear on my body caused by running?

All you need are dumbbells. Use light dumbbells to make the treadmill harder. You can also do high intensity interval training like that. Then with heavier dumbbells you can do a full body basic weight lifting routine a couple times a week to tone your muscles. Don't worry, you can't bulk up without steroids. You will gain some muscle, but you won't look big at all. It will also help you gain bone density and keep your joints healthy. This will help you avoid osteoperosis and stiff joints when you get older.

I do like elipticals. I do my intervals on those. You just switch between a high and low setting. Why not get get both. Adjustable dumbbells are cheap anyway.