# What home excercise equipment would you recommend for under $400? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 30, 2006, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-home-excercise-equipment-would-you-recommend-for-under-400/342174 "2006-01-30T05:28:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2006, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-home-excercise-equipment-would-you-recommend-for-under-400/342174/1 "2006-01-30T05:28:51Z")
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](http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3999313) 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.) Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2006, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-home-excercise-equipment-would-you-recommend-for-under-400/342174/2 "2006-01-30T15:11:54Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2006, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-home-excercise-equipment-would-you-recommend-for-under-400/342174/3 "2006-01-30T15:25:37Z")
Have you considered buying used? Exercise equipment tends to sell pretty cheap, because, well, nobody ever uses it. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2006, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-home-excercise-equipment-would-you-recommend-for-under-400/342174/4 "2006-01-30T15:54:08Z")
Dumbbells. Resistance training is a must, and dumbbells are the most versatile, smallest, and cheapest way to do it at home. ---
**Author:** ![Mint\_Julep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc79bd/32.png) [@Mint\_Julep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mint_Julep)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2006, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-home-excercise-equipment-would-you-recommend-for-under-400/342174/5 "2006-01-30T16:22:26Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Have you considered buying used? Exercise equipment tends to sell pretty cheap, because, well, nobody ever uses it. I second that idea…We have a used sporting goods store called “Play It Again” sports and I find great deals there. ---
**Author:** ![Theologue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@Theologue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Theologue)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2006, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-home-excercise-equipment-would-you-recommend-for-under-400/342174/6 "2006-01-30T17:35:12Z")
1. 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.) 2. 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. 3. 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. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2006, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-home-excercise-equipment-would-you-recommend-for-under-400/342174/7 "2006-01-30T17:45:23Z")
PS - at the gym, I much prefer the elliptical trainers to the treadmills. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2006, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-home-excercise-equipment-would-you-recommend-for-under-400/342174/8 "2006-01-30T17:45:30Z")
> [@Max Torque](#): > > Dumbbells. Resistance training is a must, and dumbbells are the most versatile, smallest, and cheapest way to do it at home. I agree with that and will add that the [Powerblock](http://www.powerblock.com/blocks.html) is a great way to get all the weight you need in a compact space too. (There are [several](http://www.bodytrends.com/pbl.htm) [other](http://www.bowflexselecttech.com) [brands](http://www.bigfitness.com/vebesywst.html) 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. ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2006, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-home-excercise-equipment-would-you-recommend-for-under-400/342174/9 "2006-01-31T04:36:45Z")
> [@Athena](#): > > 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. 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. It’s just so much fun! ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2006, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-home-excercise-equipment-would-you-recommend-for-under-400/342174/10 "2006-01-31T06:06:33Z")
A good jump rope will run you about $20. ---
**Author:** ![Stark\_Raven\_Mad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Stark\_Raven\_Mad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stark_Raven_Mad)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2006, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-home-excercise-equipment-would-you-recommend-for-under-400/342174/11 "2006-01-31T06:30:08Z")
> [@ultrafilter](#): > > A good jump rope will run you about $20. Seconded. And you’ll still have plenty of cash left over for dumbbells. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2006, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-home-excercise-equipment-would-you-recommend-for-under-400/342174/12 "2006-01-31T14:52:04Z")
A punching bag and some gloves. Some of the old school stuff is still the best. You can kick the bag to, and engage alot of muscles. Helps relieve stress, too. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2006, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-home-excercise-equipment-would-you-recommend-for-under-400/342174/13 "2006-01-31T15:46:54Z")
Running shoes and some running clothes. Out you go! Dumbells, sit-ups and push-ups will go a very long way for upper body fitness.