I’m 56 YO. I’m at a healthy weight and in excellent health. My exercise routine is walking. I hike 2 miles with my dogs every morning. 2 - 2.5 miles during my lunch break and another 2 miles with the dogs when I get home from work. I walk at a pretty brisk pace, 1 mile per 15 - 20 minutes.
With this crummy cold weather I can only get out with the dogs for short walks. I still do my full walk at lunch because I do it indoors.
What’s the best piece of exercise equipment that I could use other than a treadmill? Something that I wouldn’t have to spend long BORING hours on and something that won’t break the bank.
Personally I’m a fan of the elliptical. A different workout than a treadmill and easy on the joints. Most models have different programs you can use for different exercise goals (automatically raising and lowering incline and resistance).
A new hefty one will set you back a few hundred but you can get a used one anywhere for “just get this out of my house already!” cheap.
All machines can get very boring quickly since it’s basically the same exact thing for as long as you’re on it. But sometimes that’s okay since you can zone out in your head, watch TV, listen to audio books, etc. Some fancy treadmills have built-in screens so you go on virtual runs in various places. Some bikes have a built-in monitor and you can do virtual spin classes with lots of remote people at the same time. If you like that kind of thing, it can be a way to make those machines more fun.
As an alternative to machines, try some of the fitness classes offered on streaming channels. Some are dedicated channels you can add to a streaming device like Roku. There are others offered on services like Amazon, Netflix, etc. There are classes for all different fitness levels and goals. The classes themselves will have lots of variety, and you can always switch to other classes when you want to try something different.
You can also join a gym that offers month-to-month and try out their machines. They’ll have everything–treadmills of all kinds, elliptical, stair, rowing, climbing, etc. etc. Try them all out for a while, see what you like, and then cancel your membership when you’ve made your decision.
I used to run (before various injuries/surgeries) - always outside. I’ve owned various pieces of workout equipment, but each one eventually turned into a laundry rack - before making its way to the curb. If you are used to walking outside, ANYTHING inside is going to bore you. You’ll have to spend about the same amount of time you currently spend walking - 30-40 min in a.m. and p.m. (you sure have lucky dogs BTW!) Something like a recumbent bike, you can just sit on it and pedal, and read a book. You can read on most other equipment, but will have to decide how comfortable you find it. Other than that, you can listen to music/podcasts or watch TV - if that is how you want to spend that time.
But my suggestion is that instead of buying a machine, invest in the proper gear to continue your outdoors walks. I remember hearing a Scandinavian winter Olympian some time back, saying “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad equipment!” Get some lined goretex pants, good boots and socks, a balaclava, mittens, and layer up. Most dogs can handle quite cold temps if acclimated, but you could even try booties and dog coats depending on the breed and for extreme weather. You’ll get to experience an aspect of your surroundings few people do! Depending on snow and ice you might not cover the same distance as quickly, but you’ll likely be exerting more energy over the same period of time. If you get your exercise sitting on a machine inside, how will your pups get theirs?
Kettlebells. You can buy a set or you can start with just one; for your age and condition, probably 16 kg is a good choice.
Proper form is important; you can injure yourself. Books and videos by Pavel Tsatsouline are very good; there also other good ones on Youtube but there are some very bad ones, too.
That’s a very difficult question. To combat the boredom issue, I recommend getting a cardio trainer (rower/treadmill/bike/elliptical) that’s internet connected. These machines can set up virtual trails for you to walk/ride on, can allow you to compete in real time or against virtual ghosts of real people or other ‘games’. I find this combats boredom.
I would also recommend a gym membership over equipment. In my case, I find the monthly fee motivates me to get my money’s worth while the sunk cost of a weight set didn’t motivate me past a few months.
Thanks for all of the great ideas. I appreciate it.
I do have all the proper clothing for walking in the cold. I will walk by myself or with my husband in extreme cold, but it’s hard leaving the dogs behind.
I don’t do my regular 2 miles with the dogs once it hits 10 below. That usually means it’s at least 20 below with the windchill. But I get them out at least once for 15 minutes or so. One is a boxer who has enough energy for 3 dogs and the other is a boxer/French Mastiff mix who is pretty laid back (he has the mastiff traits). I should have started using booties on the dogs when they were puppies so they would be used to them. At this point (they’re both almost 5) they don’t take kindly to them. I just need to keep trying.
The boredom factor with exercise equipment and the motivation factor (making myself go) with classes are tough. I’m probably leaning toward an elliptical and listening to audio books.
It sounds like you are looking for something to use only a fairly small number of days per year if you are only unwilling to do your walks (with dogs) when it is below negative 10 (and one assumes on other extremely inclement days). Is the bulk/space (even more than the cost) of an elliptical worth it for that sort of use?
Throwing in the occasional high intensity interval training on those days *is *worth considering. It is not boring, by definition takes much less time, and requires no equipment at all (although jumping rope can be one fun way to do it that is even less boring as it also a skill building activity). Sets of old fashioned calisthenics performed hard and fast would work fine … and jumping rope near the dogs would be tricky.
Just wanted to say, this is definitely a solvable problem! Have a look at this video of a desensitizing protocol, AKA counterconditioning. This example is for a nail trim, but the same science applies to your dogs accepting their booties. If you need help, look for a local dog trainer to come and assist.
I live in CA, so my dogs don’t know from cold. But I have gotten used to leaving them behind sometimes. If I know I’m going for a longer walk or jog, they stay on the couch. If I try to take them with me they slow me down and/or try to turn for home before I’m ready.
I was assuming you were male. If you’re female a 12kg kettlebell is more appropriate if you decide to give it a try. They’re cheap, don’t take up space, and handy to grab just to do a few basic kettlebell swings whenever the mood strikes.
I’m also a walker / hiker and a casual cyclist; never been one to go to a gym. Kettlebell is the only exercise equipment I’ve ever actually stuck with for more than a couple of weeks.
I like the cut of your jib! Not familiar w/ MN - how often does it get/stay below -10?
I imagine you’re somewhat cooler than Chicagoland, but her such extreme temps are quite infrequent around here.
I strongly agree w/ DSeid - not worth investing in a big piece of equipment. On the brutally cold days, find a video to follow. Maybe yoga, or some step with light weights. Wither buy/rent tapes, or find endless routines on-line or on cable. You don’t have to love it - just need something to follow along with for 30-40 minutes.
If you are walking your dog on leash, you should be able to find some booties they’ll tolerate and that will stay on. I got my dog used to them after he had matured. You just have to be persistent, and get them to realize they don’t have a choice in the matter. I’m no expert, but does the cold/snow/ice bother their paws as much as the salt might?
I’m your age and have had similar lack of motivation when it comes to classes. I’ve been going to a 3 day a week aqua fit class for the past 18 months and I love it. Some water aerobics classes are kind of weak, led by some nice young thing who doesn’t want to tire out the ol’ dears. Mine is lead by a guy in his 60’s who’s determined to get our heart rates UP. I have definitely seen results.
Actually, I second the notion of continue walking outdoors with the proper equipment. You sound like you would definitely get bored indoors, and your hounds would get pudgy.
mmm
Exercise DVDs are my go-to in the winter. Billy Blanks makes some good Tae Bo DVDs. I know there’s a lot of dance-workout sorts of DVDs out there; I don’t buy them since I don’t like to do my workouts as dancing, but it’s something worth considering. I recommend taking a look at the DVDs out there and seeing what interests you. Bonus: If you have a DVD player, a TV, and some floor space, you won’t need to buy any equipment!
It’s not all winter that we get such cold weather, although right now we’re on our 2nd straight week of wind chill warnings every day! Right now it’s 4 below with 17 below wind chill. It’s warming up…HA! I’ve been able to get the dogs out the last few days when I get home from work. We walk for about a 1/2 mile on the sidewalk (on leash) and then take a trail through the woods back to our house (off leash) for another 1/2 mile. So they have been getting out. And believe me, they are rarin’ to go!! They seem to handle it just fine. My worry is that we’ll be halfway through our walk and they’ll start lifting their paws - then it’s a long walk home for them. I’ll have to try the booties.
I have some exercise equipment at home - exercise bands, my husband’s weights, etc. It’s just getting the motivation to do it! When it comes right down to it, it’s the dogs that are my motivation. They keep me going!
I’d love to send a picture of my boys, but I don’t know how!
Seconded. A good speed rope will last a long time and you can do a number of variations to keep things interesting. From a cardiovascular perspective it is as good or better than a fast jog to a sprint (depending on how fast you go and how high you jump) and also acts as a good controlled impact stressor to develop joint strength and resilliance. Although you don’t really need a book to teach you the basics of how to jump rope, a training guide like this one can give you guidance in setting up a conditioning program to achieve particular goals or keep things interesting.
The kettlebell (as mentioned by Turble, or a sandbag is a good conditioning tool, but it is advisable to get some professional coaching to learn how to use it properly. Like any weighted tool there is the potential for both trauma (e.g. dropping the weight on you) or stress injury from improper kinematics (e.g. not hinging at the hip when swinging, or using the lower back to lift). Books and vidoes are all well and good but they do not provide corrective feedback. Some weightlifters disdain kettlebells because you can’t do “heavy lifts” with them (although squat thrusting a pair of 32 kg kettlebells with multiple reps for five sets can be quite a workout for any normal person) but they are really intended to be a conditioning tool. I like steel clubs as well but they require even more training and caution, and of course anything with weight costs to ship. Sandbags like these or these are nice in that regard because you just buy the bag and liner (or put sand in contractor trash liners inside the bag, which works just as well) and then get a cheap bag or two of sand at your local hardware store, so they’re cheap to ship and easy to transport, plus they make great weights for holding down a ladder or proping open a door around the house, and if you drop it on your foot it isn’t going to break anything.
I would avoid exercise machines like the plague. Not only are they expensive and take up a lot of room as well as being expensive to repair, but they become repetitive and often aren’t really all that great at getting an effective workout. The elliptical trainers which have become so popular are particularly grevious in this regard; the motion is nothing like what you do in any functional movement and once you get to a certain level it is difficult to get much actual fitness. The best devices of that kind are stairstep machines (although you can get the same effect from stepping up and down on a box) and rowers, which can actually give you a really good workout at any level of fitness…if you’re willing to spring $1000+ for a good one. But honestly, if that’s your thing, you are better off joining some inexpensive fitness gym and letting them bear the cost of maintaining the equipment.
