Help Me with Workout Equipment

[phillyidol]

Which do you prefer and which do you recomend?
I want to buy a treadmill. But a friend just got an eliptical. I tried hers and it gave the legs a nice work out but I still think the treadmill is good. What do you think? Please help. I don't want to buy something that will end up with laundry drying on it.

[stella]

I think expensive exercise equiptment is a waste of money. It's the excuse middle aged guys use to not really exercise. If you want to stay in shape, take some yoga classes and walk 10 times around the block once a day.

[i_like_lectric_motors]

All you need are free weights, a flat/incline bench and a power rack. For cardio, jump rope. Anything else is overpriced crap. Especially avoid anything by Bowflex and companies like that.[xx(]

[scramjet]

I frequently use an eliptical machine at the gym I go to. It's a good cardio and lower body workout without all the jarring impact of running (on a treadmill or a street) or jumping rope - which most of our 40-ish bodies can't take much of.

I'm going to disagree with stella and say that unless you're really really out of shape or recovering from quadruple bypass surgery or something you need to get your heart rate higher than brisk walking will do for you.

[phillyidol]

[quote][i]Originally posted by stella[/i]
<br>I think expensive exercise equiptment is a waste of money. It's the excuse middle aged guys use to not really exercise. If you want to stay in shape, take some yoga classes and walk 10 times around the block once a day.
[/quote]

Stella, I know you mean well so I won't bite back. But I must explain, I am far from being a middle aged guy looking not to work out. I am a 2 time martial arts champion with 2 black belts. I run every day. I am just looking for something in the house for when I can't get out. I am lucky enough to live next to a huge park and nature reserve.
But...I do really like your suggestion about yoga. I kind of have issues and I think yoga might center me. Do you take yoga? I am looking into it.

Motors, The jumprope is a great idea. I just picked up one at the store. I should film it because I never jumped rope before and it will be very funny.

[djcraig]

It cracks me up when I see people waiting in line at the gym for the treadmill machines. I feel like telling them, "There's a whole world outside- go run in it!"

These must be the same people that wait outside in their cars to get the closest possible space so they won't have to walk far before they go in to EXERCISE!

On well, just try not to get anything that makes you look this fruity...

<img style="width: 300px; height: 300px;" alt="" src="http://www.gamerevolution.com/images/misc/tony_little.jpg"><br> Look at me, I'm a gazelle!

[phillyidol]

LOL!!!!! I have to admit, I like that guy. I don't buy the crap but I read his book and his tapes are not bad either.[:I]

[hutter]

Philly, just keep doing what you're doing, but throw in some sparring in the mix (if you don't anyway). As far as home equipment...save your money. It's mostly crap.

[phillyidol]

You are right. But its so nice and shiny! You don't like treadmills? Just for the cardio?

[Mechi]

I like spinning bikes but..

running after trains (that I never catch) leaves my legs in shape as much as bikes or treadmills.. so I say running and climbing stairs while you run is a good activity.

Anyway, I'm turning into a huge lab potato!!! (and that's an invented word but sort of describes my physical state).
I spend most of the time sitting at univ, sitting on a train and sitting studying. Kind of sad but well.... I don't have time.




<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~myirwin/JD_Montage2.jpg">

[hutter]

[quote][i]Originally posted by phillyidol[/i]
<br>You are right. But its so nice and shiny! You don't like treadmills? Just for the cardio?
[/quote]
You get your cardio by running a couple of miles every morning. Don't need a machine for that.

[Klaus Von Konrad]

You might think I am joking, but buy one of these....

http://cgi.ebay.com/TWO-DDR-DANCE-REVOL ... dZViewItem

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/152160 ... lines=true

You will need an X-Box or Playstation. These games are a really good workout and fun. Whatever you do, don't buy a cheap treadmill. Spend the bucks.

[phillyidol]

My kid actually got a cheap one of those. It lasted all of one minute.
I hear you. I guess anything that gets the blood moving is good.

[enzfan]

Went out with the wife to buy a memory stick for the digital camera and came home with an $800 eliptical trainer. Hopefully it gets more use than most equipment people purchase. More than likely it will be in next years garage sale though.

[hexicon]

[quote][i]Originally posted by scramjet[/i]
<br>I frequently use an eliptical machine at the gym I go to. It's a good cardio and lower body workout without all the jarring impact of running (on a treadmill or a street) or jumping rope - which most of our 40-ish bodies can't take much of.

I'm going to disagree with stella and say that unless you're really really out of shape or recovering from quadruple bypass surgery or something you need to get your heart rate higher than brisk walking will do for you.
[/quote]

I'm with Scramjet here on both counts. Because of my schedule and the weather here, I often use the elliptical at the gym, though my favorite exercise is Body Pump, which is a barbell class to music. I use a treadmill too, but overall I think the elliptical is better, because 1) upper body options, and 2) easier on the joints. My knees are totally buggered up from running.

As for yoga, I would acknowlege that it can be part of an overall fitness program, but I don't think it alone will get you and keep you in shape. Not to sound too snarky, but when I get out of my Body Pump class full of trim, muscular people, I see a lot of fatties waiting for the yoga class. People like Gwyneth Paltrow who claim they just do a little yoga to stay fit are full of $^#%$, IMHO.