Exercise question - ThinnerTimes

Baron Patrick · 04-12-2006, 07:41 AM

I know how much we all love this word, and for people like “us” it’s not an option - it's: we gotta.

I have a membership to LA Fitness. It’s just 10 minutes up the street from me, but I’m finding it a hassle to go (after a 90+ minute commute I don't feel like going anywhere) and just not sure if it’s worth it. I mean, I’m thinking if I can do it at home - there are lot’s of exercises we can do at home like crunches, walking, stuff like that (and I can dress the way I want, don’t have to worry about other people’s sweat and other icky stuff, and can do it as often and as long as I like.) The only thing I really need to do, and don’t have the equipment, is cardio.

I’ve been looking around on the web, and have found one (so far) that is decently priced. It’s a portable stair-stepper from Brookstone ($200). It pretty much does everything a gym sized one does, (tracks how many steps, heart rate, timer). This is the only one I’ve found that is portable and may work for me.

The problem with a lot of these, are the weight restrictions. This one will support up to 250 lbs. Since I’ve been losing at weight watchers (so far) I’m still about 15 lbs. over, and I think I can get away with it. BUT, everything else I’ve found has a limit of 200 lbs. or less. It’s been kind of frustrating.

What do you all think? Has anyone else found “heavy duty” exercise hardware that can be used at home without taking a lot of space, or costing a lot of money? Or, should I just stick with the gym?

Thanks!

coptergirl · 04-12-2006, 08:36 AM

Hi Pat -

Unless you have the will power to work out at home when you get there, I would stick ti the gym. Personally, when I get home, I want to kick off the shoes, have dinner, relax, and spend time with the hubby and pups. I know I either have to stop at the track to walk (the only thing i am allowed to do at this point), or stop by the gym on my way home (the gym is on my way home, and is only about a mile and a half from home). Plus, when my restrictions are lifted, I will have much more variety at the gym to keep me interested than I could ever afford to have at home. Just my .02

I wish you the very best in finding what works for you....

melanie hirschorn · 04-12-2006, 08:51 AM

I used to go to curves religiously 3 times a week. In January i had gallbladder surgery and had to take 6 weeks off. I then went back one week and haven't been back since. i totally lost interest, but i do have a treadmill at home and i have been doing the treadmill religiously. i don't know what happened. i just burned out on curves and after coming home from work don't want to leave, etc. i find the treadmill works great. good luck.
melanie

Mavisavis · 04-12-2006, 09:06 AM

I have a NordicTrack Eliptical Trainer. I don't know the weight restriction, but the thing is way more sturdy than my other pieces. I had found it on clearance years ago because they were coming out with a model with better electronics gadgets on it. Maybe you could look in the paper and find a really good brand at a discount. There are so many people that get them and don't use them or companies that go out of business. You could also do good old fashioned (and cheap) jumproping for cardio. Just make sure you do it on a rubberized surface....I did it once on concrete, not thinking.......and thought I'd die the next day. I felt like I had been on an episode of Soprano's.

cnvh · 04-12-2006, 09:16 AM

If you're only 18 lbs. over the weight limit of a piece of equipment you're planning on purchasing, I wouldn't worry too much about it... I bought an elliptical machine when I was 310 lbs., used it religiously, and it held up just fine-- and it was rated for 250 or 275 lbs. (I'm not promising that the company would honor any warranty if it were to break, but that's a separate issue.)

I don't blame you on the hassle of the gym membership-- the factors you listed are the same as mine for reasons I'm not excited by the gym.

If you DO purchase a piece of home equipment, where will you put it? Perhaps think of it this way-- are you willing to put it somewhere in your home where it will be really obvious and you will have ZERO excuse not to use it? In other words, do you mind if it sits in your living room, in clear view of the TV? Because trust me, if it's somewhere that would be the LEAST bit inconvenient for you, your chances of using it will drop. (My elliptical now sits in a spare room I've designated as the "workout room"-- but since there's no TV in there, it's pretty boring. Guess where I don't go very often???)

Also, make sure you try out any piece of equipment extensively before you consider purchasing one-- don't just hop on it for 30 seconds at the store and think, "wow, this is a great workout, I'll take it," only to get home and find that your "great piece of cardio equipment" is so challenging that you can only handle it for 5 minutes until your chest is bursting and your muscles are screaming. So much for a great cardio workout, if you can only do it for 5 minutes!

(I say that because I've gotten on stair-climbers at the gym-- when I WAS exercising a lot and was in much better shape than I am now-- and the stair-climbers KICKED MY BUTT. I'd take a treadmill, bike, or elliptical anyday for a good cardio workout over a stair-climber... but that's just me, and maybe I was using the machine wrong, who knows?)

MiladyB · 04-12-2006, 09:28 AM

Well, for me, I can't afford a gym membership and I don't have the room or the money for any cardio type exercise machine, so I just simply walk, either outside or to an exercise walking video. I have found a place in town that for $4 each time I can go and water-walk, so I plan on trying that. For resistance exercise I use the exercise bands. I really like them! They are cheap, compact and can be used almost anywhere. I know that I probably wouldn't consistently use the gym or big exercise equipment. I needed to find an exercise that I enjoy and can see consistently using pretty much every day. I've gone over my exercise program with the exercise therapist at my surgeon's office and he feels it is realistic and workable for me.

So, I am happy.

Zenomia · 04-12-2006, 10:56 AM

Pat :

I don't remember who said it, but a LOT of sporting goods stores will allow you to 'buy' a piece of equipment and try it out for 90 days. A satisfaction type of thing. If you don't like it before the time is up, they will take it back. We have Dick's Sporting Goods here in the Midwest who have that kind of offer. We bought our treadmill from them after doing oodles of research on-line. We used it, loved it and have kept it. We also have it in the family room, so that it is right there in our face...and we don't have an excuse NOT to get on it. Sometimes we (hubbie and I) trade off during commercials..Puts a new spin on 'watching TV together' !! Whichever way you go, you have to be commited to it. Maybe stop at the gym after work each day...make it part of your 'work day'. That way when you are home, you can associate home with 'relaxation'. There's my two cents....

chrisie_92020 · 04-12-2006, 11:20 AM

I ran into this same problem about a year ago. It is so frustrating. I finally decided to just walk. I do believe that sears has some equipment that will accommodate people up to 350 pounds.

NewMel06 · 04-12-2006, 11:51 AM

I have had a problem getting to the gym too, since I work 5 minutes from home, and the gym is 20 minutes the other direction, I haven't gotten there much. I have the luxury of quitting my job after surgery (since we will be moving shortly after anyway) so I will be able to make sure I get to the gym. for the next 4 months before I do have to start working again, my job is the gym. However, what I am getting at is I have purchased tapes (Tae Bo and The Firm) to do at home when I can't get to the gym, once I start working again. Let me tell you that Firm is brutal!!!!

I wouldn't spend the money on fancy equipment. You may eventually get bored of it. Good luck with your decision

Doc J · 04-12-2006, 01:07 PM

For me, if I go home after work, I find a million reasons not to exercise. I pack my gym bag in the morning and drive straight to the gym after work. I make it part of my daily routine. It is a little farther to drive to the gym, but I have my gym bag and I force myself to drive passed my regular exit and go.