Ah, thanks.
This it the rower I use at my gym, and it is great. The thing with the rower is you have to set targets and push for them - if you do, you will get results.
Si
I am hooked on the stair climbing machines, I do an hour plus almost everyday. The ones the look just like rolling stairs not the ones with foot paddles. I used to run a lot on a treadmill until playing soccer with my daughter I screwed up my knee. Now even a elliptical tends to hurt my knee. Stair climbers are great for the legs.
I voted elliptical because we have one and I like using it, but what I really like to do is ride my rollers when I can’t get out for a bike ride. But that doesn’t really work for a group of people.
An exercise bike isn’t a good choice for a group of people either, simply because the seat position is going to be different for everyone. I’ve never liked them because most that I have used only allow adjustments in half-inch or so increments, which are too big for the fine adjustments that are really needed.
I’ve actually been getting the DDR mats out again, and boy I forgot how much of a workout they were. Legs are aching today!
I’m still trying to find out how many calories DDR burns, though. The intertubes say about 500-800 cals per hour, and that sounds really, really good.
I prefer kettlebells for my cardio work but I do have a treadmill which I use once in a while as well.
Well I’ve had my new rower for two days now and I am happy to report that I really like it.
HongKongFooey, I hear a lot about kettlebells, both good and bad. What do you like about them in particular? Do you ever get hurt using them?
I really like the combination of speed, strength, and endurance you get while training with them. It’s one of the few implements that helps you improve in all areas, even flexibility and mobility.
That said, yes you can get hurt with them. For a while my knee was getting sore at the top of the swing. I had to videotape myself to see that I was hyperextending my knee at lockout. I also had a twinge of back pain which I especially didn’t like because back pain is what drove me to get into kettlebells in the first place. Anyway, again to the video and I found I was pulling with my arms rather than using my hips to get the bell moving. The pains weren’t serious, just warning signs to fix technique issues (and to slow down a bit). When I got that kind of warning sign with a deadlift it resulted in a herniated disc and several months off from training. I’m not opposed to deadlifts or anything; I think they’re great but the feedback with kettlebells suits me quite nicely.
I would really like to have a certified kettlebell instructor in my area. In dealing with several online they are all quite knowledgeable and helpful. Many are glad to view video and give advice online where they can. I love my kettlebells and have no great desire to keep pushing heavier and heavier with them. I’m content with moving a lighter bell faster and with more stability. As I get older it’s mobility and endurance that interest me more than pure strength or power (although you can train for that too with them).