I was seriously considering getting a treadmill for my home for days when I don’t feel like going to the gym (which is all) but want to get some exercise. The one I was thinking of is just under $400, but reviews of it are mostly lukewarm online. Apparently you have to pay well over $1,000 if you want a decent treadmill- the economy ones seem to be less than reliable and durable and really bad customer service stories are the rule on most online review sites.
So, can anybody suggest a good- sturdy- reliable piece of exercise equipment that would be in the same price range or less and would fit in roughly the same amount of space? I’ve thought of bikes or elliptigliders but I don’t know if they fare any better. (The reason I’m wanting something for inside rather than walking outside is so that I can do this when I first wake up and while I’m watching the news, or otherwise while I’m chilling to Daily Show or whatever.)
My favorite piece of indoor exercise equipment so far is my XBox and Dance Dance Revolution. Beats the hell out of a treadmill. We also have a spin bike, which I use on occasion, but DDR is way more fun.
Free weights. You can do a ton of different exercises with a few dumbbells of varying weight and a basic bench. I know, people will say, “Weights are for building muscle; you need cardio to lose weight.” Not when you first start out. I, a previously totally inactive human being, dropped about 20 pounds in just a few months by working out maybe 30 minutes a day four times a week, with few changes in diet (mostly just not pigging out so much). This was with fairly light weights, just 10 to 20 lb. dumbbells. IMO, it’s the easiest, laziest, fastest way to get in shape. You could get started for around $100 with a small bench and a few weights, then easily add more later if you like it. (On preview: unfortunately, this is not something you can do well while watching TV.)
Everyone will probably disagree with this, but I LIKE my non-motorized treadmill. It takes more energy on my part to keep it going, giving me a more intense workout. I can walk or run on it. I like its portability and how I can easily move it into an air conditioned room when it is hot. Plus, it folds up when not in use, taking up very little space. Compare models; quality varies a lot with these too, but they are a whole lot cheaper than motorized ones. Get one that allows a comfortable stride. Some a silly protective plate at the front you can’t step on, producing an unnatural gait.
I’m not really thrilled with my exercise bike. It’s boring and not nearly as intense as the treadmill. OTOH, I can read while using it. It’s nice for time when I want to do something, but not much.
I agree with that and will add that the Powerblock is a great way to get all the weight you need in a compact space too. (There are severalotherbrands too.)
Of course, if you’re looking for a cardio machine, I’d recommend looking for “used” on craigslist. Most likely you can find a machine that was used a couple times before the commitment wore off.
That thing rocks! I **so ** want one for myself! A friend’s son has it and I tried it out recently - he wiped the floor with me and barely got out of breath.