Home Exercise Equipment for Xmas

[Monte Smith]

My wife, who will be delivering our second child this February, is interested in having an exercise machine for Christmas. Does anyone here have a recommendation? Prolly we'll both use it for 30/60 mins a day of cardio/aerobic type stuff. We're looking for something like a bike or elliptical or treadmill or such. Don't want to spend too much money ($500 is too much money) or take up too much space. I would prefer something with both a bookrest and cupholder, that way I can espy my morning devotionals and drink sangria.

[GoodSpeak]

You guys are pregnant?


Geez, you never tell me anything.


Very, very cool, Monte.


Give all my best to Mrs. Monte for me will ya?


I sincerely hope all goes well.

[bruce massey]

I gotta say, be patient and scope the papers. We could balance the national debt with the amount of money tied up in unused home exercise equipment and dust laden musical instruments.

If that doesn't work look for a place specializing in selling used sports equipment. This might work for ya.

[Captain Hate]

Originally Posted by bruce massey

I gotta say, be patient and scope the papers. We could balance the national debt with the amount of money tied up in unused home exercise equipment and dust laden musical instruments.

True in both cases; Mother Hate gave me a rowing machine a long time ago for Christmas (this must've been in the mid to late 80's since she died in 91 after having been in no shape to have done that for a couple years). It wasn't the most expensive machine in the world but I used that sucker daily until I wore it out; you could use it for a variety of exercises. I was prolly in the best shape I've ever been, which of course, was *quite* a while ago. If you use them, they're a great investment. If not, buy more cd's instead.

If I had one of those bowflex thingies I'd prolly use it while listening to tunes. Feel the eai burn, baby!!!

[Tanager]

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

My wife, who will be delivering our second child this February, is interested in having an exercise machine for Christmas. Does anyone here have a recommendation? Prolly we'll both use it for 30/60 mins a day of cardio/aerobic type stuff. We're looking for something like a bike or elliptical or treadmill or such. Don't want to spend too much money ($500 is too much money) or take up too much space. I would prefer something with both a bookrest and cupholder, that way I can espy my morning devotionals and drink sangria.

Most treadmills actually worth owning cost a lot more than $500, unfortunately - it's durability you're paying for, not just bells/whistles, too.

[patricia]

Originally Posted by Tanager

Most treadmills actually worth owning cost a lot more than $500, unfortunately - it's durability you're paying for, not just bells/whistles, too.

Having used walking as my primary exercise, as well as cross-country skiing as a variation when I was pregnant, and after, I recommend a good treadmill. Set it up in the family room, or wherever you have a view, or a television and do a half hour at a time.
Don't get a low-end one new. Get a really good one, second hand. Scour the classifieds. Like most exercise equipment, people buy them with good intentions, but unload them at an alarming rate.

So, your wife should walk as much as she can and a treadmill will be the ideal device to continue that, especially in bad weather.

[bruce massey]

Patricia was pregnant.....means she...you know..


puts out!

[bostontricky]

I'll second the treadmill/skiing device for your case, Monte. I swear by my Concept 2 rowing machine (which you ought to be able to find used for $500) but it's a little rough for me trying to keep an eye on the TV while plowing away.

Pere Tricky has a NordicTrack in the basement and keeps up with the news while skiing, and he's in better shape than I am. Probably because he doesn't have kids around the house anymore.

[steve(thelil)]

I recommend the Precor Cross-Trainer. It feels like running without the pounding. Great for the knees, fun and quiet.

Originally Posted by steve(thelil)

I recommend the Precor Cross-Trainer. It feels like running without the pounding. Great for the knees, fun and quiet.

And that'll only set you back about 3 grand!
But it is good.

[patricia]

Originally Posted by bruce massey

Patricia was pregnant.....means she...you know..


puts out!

Only selectively, my dear.

The thing about exercise equipment is that just having it in the house means nothing if you don't use it. I always smile when I see an ad that crows about how the dealie they're advertising folds to the size of a briefcase and slides under the bed. Leave it set up and USE it, for heaven's sake! A treadmill looks unattractive in the middle of any room, but it's not meant to be decorative. Having space for whatever it is can be a problem and I think that that's as much why you see so many in the paper. But, the ease of storage is the last thing to consider. Either you're going to use it.......or not.

[Lenny D.Guitarist]

Mr. Smith,
I've had dozens of pieces of home exercise equipment over the years. Some very good, some godawful. The best exercise bike I ever had was a Tunturi model.. the flywheel weighed more than 75 pounds or something like that. I literally got more than 50,000 miles out of that sucker over many years. I think Tunturi is no longer in business. Stay away from ProForm's low or mid-range products. They're loud, break down a lot, and are not smooth.. all their low-mid Exercycles, treadmills, etc are junk. Precor is a much better brand, but they cost more. If I didn't want to spend more than 500 bucks, I'd get an exercise bike. They're not in vogue any more so the prices are lower than ever. If you really want a good treadmill or elliptical trainer, you're gonna pay more than 500 bucks to get something that you won't curse about. Many health clubs in the larger cities regularly get rid of their old equipment on the cheap. Likewise for private owners who don't use their stuff. Good luck!

[Monte Smith]

OK, three months after Christmas and I'm still shopping around.

Originally Posted by Lenny D.Guitarist

The best exercise bike I ever had was a Tunturi model.. the flywheel weighed more than 75 pounds or something like that. I literally got more than 50,000 miles out of that sucker over many years. I think Tunturi is no longer in business.

Tunturi still is in business and I can get a good deal (wholesale) on their stuff. They've got an elliptical crosstrainer that goes for about a grand, I can get it for a little over six. Definitely thinking about it. Tunturi is good, you think? I know they're Finnish. That argues that they're good.

Another option is a Schwinn 418 elliptical. I can get the same deal, about. The customers at Amazon seem to like the product.

[Surfer]

My wife manages a University gym / rec center, so she is buying elliptical trainers all the time. Precor is the way to go, unless it is out of your price range. She says those others are decent alternatives, but not as durable as Precor. The ones she oversee pretty much run non-stop from 6am to 10pm at night, and she has to replace them every 3-4 years.

[Borat Pri Hagafen]

Precor is the gold standard it seems, but it's a higher price range than what Monte said he's looking for. I bought a Diamondback elliptical a month or two ago, so i have a few Consumer Reports issues lying around. Feb '06 has a story on budget treadmills and exercise bikes.

There are several exercise bikes they recommend in your price range: the Schwinn 113 and 213, and the NordicTrack SL 728. these are all between $400-$500 according to Consumer Reports.

Of the 24 treadmills they look at, only 2 are $1000 or less, and they're rated 23rd and 24th out of the 24 treadmills. The ones they like in the $1300-$1600 range, which you might be able to find used in your price range, are the Vision Fitness T9200 Simple, the Bowflex 7-series, and the Horizon Fitness performance series PST8.

[moneyp]

My sister-in-law has a Bowflex. When we initially set down in Atlanta and were crashing with them, I used that sucker every day. It gives a really good workout, but obviously it's not a treadmill-elliptical.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

I bought one of the more expensive treadmills from Proform. The main reason I bought it was because it had a 2.5 HP continuous duty motor as well as 22 X 60 inch running space which is a little bigger than most other comparable machines. It has a lot of bullshit bells and whistles that I didn't want but took them because of the first two features that I mentioned which were the most important to me. The other models didn't offer the better motor or larger deck size. Having said that, I would not purchase another Proform treadmill simply because it isn't very well made. A little chintzy were it should be more beefy. I had to repair the machine within a year of purchasing it and I'm having ongoing "rattling" problems although it's doing the job.

The main thing for a treadmill is, of course, the motor. Make sure you choose a heavier duty motor and watch out for the marketing bullshit. The horsepower rating should be stated as chp (continuous horsepower) not simply "peak" which is not indicative of whether the motor is powerful or heavy duty.

If I had to do it over I would look closer at the Precor. From my experience in using them in the past, they make a better product which understandably costs more..................

Caveat emptor, baby

[JamesH]

The best advice I can give you is to buy a good pair of walking shoes and spend your spare time taking long walks. It's great for your mental, spirtual and physical health.

If I could recoup all the money (plus interest) I've spent on un-used equipment in my lifetime, I'd have enough to buy a hell of a high end hifi system. And that's something I would use.

I'm sure close to a billion dollars has been spent on wasted equipment and under used gym memberships. Don't waste any more money!

[JamesH]

And if you have to waste money just write me a check. I'll put it to good use and you can avoid having the damn equipment crowding your basement.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

Oh, one other thing. You have to be careful with treadmills and similar exercise equipment. It's clear to me that the marketing of these products is accomplished with a good amount of smoke and mirrors. The model numbers, names, and features change in a very short time, much like bedding and other such products.

The problem I had with my treadmill was that the main roller that drives the main running surface belt crapped out after about 6 months. I had a measley 90 day warranty (red flag?). Anyway, I diagnosed the problem and ordered the appropriate part. When I proceeded to install the new roller I couldn't help but notice that the motor installed in my Proform treadmill was, in fact, a NordicTrack motor. What the? Just goes to show you, as Forrest Gump said, "Life is like a box of chocolates". You know the rest...............

[patricia]

Originally Posted by JamesH

The best advice I can give you is to buy a good pair of walking shoes and spend your spare time taking long walks. It's great for your mental, spiritual and physical health.

If I could recoup all the money (plus interest) I've spent on un-used equipment in my lifetime, I'd have enough to buy a hell of a high end hifi system. And that's something I would use.

I'm sure close to a billion dollars has been spent on wasted equipment and under used gym memberships. Don't waste any more money!

I'm reminded of advice that my former family doctor gave to a patient who wanted a sure-fire diet and exercise program.
The good doctor paused for a second, then said, "Quit eating so much and go outside and walk around every day, whydoncha?"
Ultimately, the shape you're in depends on what you eat and how much and what kind of exercise you get. The balance between them is the result.
Of course, if you want to get in super-fine shape, and have the self-discipline to use whatever exercise equipment you decide to get, that's a whole different thing. But, many people are given the impression that just buying expensive equipment will give them the body they see demonstrating it in the ads as well.
If all the people who have gym memberships showed up at that gym at once, they would stretch down the block and around the corner.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

Couldn't agree more with JamesH. If you buy the equipment or pay for a gym membership and don't use it, you're just wasting money. Can't tell you how many friends I have that use their treadmills and exercise bikes as clothes racks.

Also, I'm not a big fan of buying used but if you see an advertisement for exercise equipment and the ad states that it was hardly used and the condition is like new, buy it. You'll have made a good deal....

[Scott Dolan]

Originally Posted by particia

Ultimately, the shape you're in depends on what you eat and how much and what kind of exercise you get. The balance between them is the result.

particia, mostly because Monte and I have been mercilessly beating you over the head lately, I want to tell you that you are 100% correct here.

I used to work out regularly, but my diet was shit. I mean, really bad. I rarely ate fruits and veggies, ate lots of red meat, etc........

The past year my diet has changed drastically. Fresh fruits and veggies every day of the week. More chicken, pork, and tuna along with less red meat. Drink lots of V8 everyday......

The difference has been profound. My dad was here over the weekend, and evn though he was here at the same time last year the first words out of his mouth when he saw me Friday night were "boy, you've really bulked up since the last time I saw you".



You are SO correct when you mention the importance of a proper diet. I don't work out anymore now than I used to, but the results are much better. And it's all because I got my shit together concerning my diet.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

Yep, any serious body builder will tell you that the shape they're in is a result of about 80% diet and 20% hard work. I don't know that those percentages are, in fact, an accurate breakdown but your diet plays an incredibly important role in you're overall fitness. I am convinced of that intellectually. Now all I have to do is practice what I preach.................

[Scott Dolan]

For some odd reason I found the transition to be incredibly easy.

Now, if I could lay off the booze..............

[patricia]

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

particia, mostly because Monte and I have been mercilessly beating you over the head lately, I want to tell you that you are 100% correct here.

I used to work out regularly, but my diet was shit. I mean, really bad. I rarely ate fruits and veggies, ate lots of red meat, etc........

The past year my diet has changed drastically. Fresh fruits and veggies every day of the week. More chicken, pork, and tuna along with less red meat. Drink lots of V8 everyday......

The difference has been profound. My dad was here over the weekend, and evn though he was here at the same time last year the first words out of his mouth when he saw me Friday night were "boy, you've really bulked up since the last time I saw you".



You are SO correct when you mention the importance of a proper diet. I don't work out anymore now than I used to, but the results are much better. And it's all because I got my shit together concerning my diet.

Yes, eating sensibly AND activity, whether you work out, or just get out there every day and briskly walk around are the key, if you haven't been. We are designed to move, not be sedentary.
I will always applaud anyone who has the self-discipline to buy and use exercise equipment, or weight-train.
Their physiques reflect their dedication.
There are far more people who have very expensive exercise equipment that they seldom if ever use. They might as well have taken hundred dollar bills and flushed them.
But, that's great for someone who is scanning the "hardly used exercise equipment" ads for a good deal.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

My biggest hurdle has always been portion control. My wife Joanne still cannot believe the amount of food that I eat. When I serve after cooking a meal she has to constantly remind me not to give her too much. I, in turn, can't believe how she survives on the amount of food she consumes but, of course, she does.

I try to explain to her that some people eat to live and some people live to eat. So it goes.................

[Scott Dolan]

I still have that problem as well.

The key is to gradually reduce it to give your stomach the chance to shrink naturally.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

I still have that problem as well.

The key is to gradually reduce it to give your stomach the chance to shrink naturally.

I'm afraid. I'm thinking life would not be worth living with a small stomach.......................................

[claude]

I have a real problem with the portions too. That's compounded for me by the fact that my body is so fucked up that if I don't have three significant meals a day along with some snacks my temperature falls to the mid 90's and I develop migraines etc. Doctor can't figure out what's going on so for now all I can do is keep pigging out .