There are a lot of home gym products on the market, many with dubious claims of effectiveness. Seeing someone on TV resembling Arnold Schwartzengger, in his prime, claiming that *X-Brand * Product got him into the shape he’s in, is most assuredly an exaggeration—but how much of an exaggeration? Does it work at all, or is it junk? Calisthenics, free weights and other exercise paradigms have their place, but for this thread, let’s concentrate only on home gym equipment.
Let’s say you are a middle-aged person, of average weight and health, with no medical contraindications to exercise, who wishes to push more than a pencil in order to get back into some semblance of shape, using a single piece of home gym equipment. The following criteria should be considered:
Body Tone: Not looking to bulk up or shed many pounds, just increase body tone. Aerobic Fitness: Not looking for Lance Armstrong-class fitness, just novice level. Total Body: The greater percentage of body toned, the better. Small Footprint: Something that fits in a bedroom (in front of the TV) is ideal. Affordable: The most bang for the buck. Safe: Anything that may impale the pet dog or tends to cause amputation-type injuries to one’s external organs of reproduction, loses points.
Anecdotal Evidence: Give a review of home gym equipment that you have used. What products do you recommend? What is your age and what do you presently use? Would you buy it again? What is your workout schedule? What benefits have you noticed and how long before you realized them? What products have you used that you do not recommend?
Scientific Evidence: Any exercise physiologists our there in Doperland wishing to weigh-in with recommendations are encouraged to do so.
The question doesn’t even really make sense. It’s what you do that matters, not what equipment you use. There’s nothing you can do with fancy and expensive equipment that you can’t do with a jump rope, a stretching mat, and a chin-up bar (and any one of those is optional). Start moving around, stop eating crap, and you’ll get results.
Sorry, but this reply doesn’t even really make sense :rolleyes: . Of course it’s what you do with the equipment you use. I think we are all intelligent enough to realize that any piece of home gym equipment is nothing more than a tool and that actual effort is necessary for positive results. Some “tools” are designed using sound biomechanical templates; others are not. I wish to separate the wheat from the chafe. And, frankly, I find the implication that I *don’t move around * and eat crap, to be a tad offensive. Perhaps you misconstrued my saying, “in order to get back into some semblance of shape” as something more than a grossly exaggerated, self-depricating quip… … Or, maybe you were just making small talk and speaking in generalities. Anyway, I’m sure there are other middle aged folks like me who are time constrainted, eat healthely and although move around as best they can, wish to increase their level of excerice—and know that they are more likely to stay motivated using home equipment as a tool. Admittedly, some people can stay motivated and get positive results using no equipment whatsoever; other people do better using tools to achieve the some same results—this thread is for the latter.
I bought a Total Gym through ebay for $110. I found it easy to set up, easy to use and as effective as the TV infomercials would have you believe. The low settings are very light exercise.
Well, if watching TV while you work out is important to you, you might consider joining a health club. Depending on the club, many cardio machines have their own cable or satellite TVs you can watch using IPod type headphones, and it can really help relieve the monotony of working out.
Granted, it would cost you a lot more than just buying a single piece of equipment and working out at home, but there are a lot of advantages to going out to do it. If you find a club that’s convenient to you, and a way to fit it into your schedule, you won’t have a problem sticking with it. I go to mine nearly every morning and never feel like I have to drag myself there, or hope that I’ll find it closed or all the free weights stolen.
We’ve got a few things over the years, and together they provide a pretty decent home gym:
Set of free weights & bench for strength training
A couple step-up stools, one about 14" high, the other around 7". These are great for lower body lifts that are hard to do with free weights. Step up with one leg and use your body weight instead of actual weights.
a spin bike for aerobic exercise
XBox and Dance Dance Revolution for aerobic exercise
TV and TiVo for boredom bashing
Sauna for feeling like you have the whole gym experience
I’d like a few more things (like a Smith machine. I would LOOOOVE a Smith machine) but I can’t say that I can’t get a really good workout with the stuff we have.
Year’s back, when I belonged to a gym and had more free time to devote to fitness, I too loved the Smith machine—the advantages of free weights without the need for a spotter.
Now, that’s what I’m talkin’ ‘bout. That Bodyblade certainly meets many of my criteria. Am I correct in assuming that you use one and feel that it’s advertised claims are justified, Malienation? What is your regiment? Do you exercise in other ways as well? I’m thinking a Bodyblade + aerodyne cycle combo may work well. Anyone else have opinions concerning the Bodyblade?
I’m right there with you Dr.Poopiepants. I’m 34, a little flabby around the middle and generally out of shape (not terribly so, I weight 175 lbs, and I’m looking to loose about 15-20 lbs). My job demands a LOT of my attention (working behind a computer), and I need my schedule to remain flexible, so I broke down and ordered a low-end Bowflex. I came to the conclusion that I just wouldn’t stick with a gym/membership scenario. And If I had a system in my house I’m sure I can work up the necessary determination to fit it into my routine rather than disrupting it.
I more interested in strength training than aerobic-type excursuses. Not because I want HUGE PECTORAL MUSCLES, but I’m an asthmatic, and running or bicycling for longish periods makes it flare up. So I needed a “tool” to help me do intense and modular muscle-focused exercises. Still waiting for it to arrive, and I’m pumped (pun intended) to really get started in earnest.
And, of course, I’m starting to cut out the crap in my diet. Especially the vast amounts of Pepsi.
One thing I can anti-recommend is a Tony Little Gazelle. The new ones do have tension mechanisms, but it is still very hard to get a good workout on them. Frankly, I worked up more of a sweat just taking walks.
I don’t have any experience with the weight or faux-weight machines, but for cardio those elliptical trainers are awesome - low impact and a good workout.
I think if I were just picking the best piece of equipment, I’d go with an elliptical.
We have a recumbent bicycle and a treadmill. The bicycle is fairly old and easy to use, but it causes my arthritic hip to flare up. The treadmill is new and I love it.
I think statistically few people who buy exercise equipment actually use it, so don’t go overboard with money.
That Bodyblade thing is interesting. I’d probably whack myself in the head with it, though.
Gotta tell ya, this Shovelglove device is kind of growing on me. I few protocol tweaks from exercise physiologists and we may just be on to something. Just have to remember to keep the wife and kiddies out of the room and keep the down stroke clear of the Faberge Egg collection and everything should be A-OK.
I work out at a gym these days, but yeah, I have one. I got the idea from “Weight Training for Dummies,” 2nd edition (I briefly looked at the 3rd edition, and there’s no mention of it). It’s challenging, but the challenge varies with effort: the harder you try, the harder it gets. Also, it’s the kind of thing that seems easy…the first 30 seconds. Then the sweating starts. If memory serves, there’s 2 versions; it’s probably not a good idea to go for the Kingshit version, the standard one is tough enough. It comes with a wall chart and video. Gambling potential: get really good at it without telling anyone and then sucker an in-shape friend to a contest. Tell him you just got it.
I highly recommend this product. Basically, it’s an entire set of free weights in one pair of dumbbells. There’s quite a bit of exercise you can do with dumbbells, but who has space or cash for 30 pairs of dumbbells? This lets you dial in a number (2.5 pound increments at the low end and 5 pound at the top) and lift the dumbbell and it only picks up the weight required for the weight you dialed in.
I’ve had it about six months. Only two complaints. It only goes up to 52.5 total pounds per dumbbell, which is fine for most things, but a bit light for a few exercises. And, the dumbbells are quite wide, restricting movement on a few exercises. Other than that, it is such a great item because of it’s versatility.
You might wish to get a hold of a copy of Lou Schuler’s Home Workout Bible, which addresses this question in some detail.
Ultrafilter’s reply is true, although you did enquire about home gym equipment. Buying one piece of whatever does not motivate most of the people who do so for very long. And something that is more practical and versatile will cost more.
Most bang for the buck would include installing a chin-up bar in your garage, buying some dumbbells or a barbell and a few plates, getting any type of utility bench, and getting some sandbags or jugs full of sand, a Swiss ball, as well as starting to(or continuing to) jog, preferably using a nearby hill (or swim at a nearby pool). I’d wager most exercise physiologists would recommend this approach, but it does not have a small footprint or trademark.
The Home Workout Bible recommends Power Blocks. I’ve used them and like them. If you want to spend more money, a home gym such as the Parabody 220 or 777, or Body Solid EXM3000LPS would do the trick. These aren’t cheap.
Honestly, I think a chin up bar and a Swiss ball would be a good start. Lots of good exercise just use body weight. The above book shows you how to use these simple tools in a surprising number of ways.
… Or, maybe you were just making small talk and speaking in generalities. Anyway, I’m sure there are other middle aged folks like me who are time constrainted, eat healthely and although move around as best they can, wish to increase their level of excerice—and know that they are more likely to stay motivated using home equipment as a tool. Admittedly, some people can stay motivated and get positive results using no equipment whatsoever; other people do better using tools to achieve the some same results—this thread is for the latter.