Exercise Equipment--any advice?

[sweet angel]

While we're on the topic, has anyone tried the Winsor Pilates tapes? If so, how are they? I saw the infomercial (and we all know infomercials MUST be true! ) and they claim 20 minutes 3x per week gives you a full body workout.

 

[Hercules10]

I support those suggesting a gym. There are several machines there to use and try. Plus having other folks there who are doing what you are is good incentive. Try your local Recreation Center. Many times they are outfitted as well as any gym and are much cheaper. Key thing is to get out and excercise more and eat less. Good luck!

 

[minniepumpernickel]

My gym offers locals a discount. So, I like the idea of joining the gym, and walking too on nice days. The social aspect of the gym may also keep you coming back! You'll start seeing the same people, and they may inspire you to keep going! Good luck!

 

[MosMom]

I would carefully examine the frame and choose something that is good to hang your clothes on because that is what you will end up using it for.

 

[Evil Princess]

I go to the gym 5 times a week since January (okay, some weeks 4, depending on how busy I am) and so far I've lost about 14 pounds. 8 more to go until I'm bathing suit ready! (I gained the Freshman "30" instead of the Freshman 15 last year).

I think that if you CAN be a gym person (some people aren't) the best thing to do is to join a gym. Most gyms provide trainers the first couple of times, and if they don't it would be a good idea to invest in one just so that you get to know the machines. Some machines are completely useless if you don't know what you're doing on them, or worse yet, you can hurt yourself.

The most important thing is to just get moving. If you're very out of shape, I'm going to echo the other posters and start walking! See how many laps you can do around the block. Start increasing over time. Increase your speed if you can, really push yourself (but if you feel like you're going to faint, STOP!)

If you're not a gym person, I would say get either a treadmill, and elliptical, or a bike. The thing with the bike though, is that you're not supporting your own body weight. Still bettter than nothing though.

The gazelle is really cheaply made. I worked at Sports Authority for 2 years...not a great investment at all. It looks fun, but it's cheaper to walk or jog.

Good luck!

 

[BeckyEsq]

We love having a treadmill. We parked it in front of a TV/DVD player so there's no excuses not to use it. I sometimes buy a DVD I want to watch -- like an entire season of a favorite TV show -- and save it for watching while on the treadmill. I want to see the show so it's an incentive to get on that treadmill and walk. I also have some exercise DVD's and freeweights, but walking is really the perfect exercise and one you can do no matter your age or fitness level.

 

[minkydog]

DW and I work out six times a week, we go to the gym every day excpet for saturday immediately after work for 2 to 2.5 hours.

you spend 12-15hrs a week in a gym? You must not have any kids.

 

[RachelEllen]

I think the advice about knowing your exercise 'personality' is great. Do you need something mindless - like an exercise bike? Do aerobics classes interest you or frustrate you? How about a dance class?

I've lost about 10 pounds this year because I finally found a form of exercise I love. I wasn't overweight (size 8, now I'm a size 6), but I was exercising 3 days a week and really forcing myself to. On our last trip to Disney (!), I tried one of those dance revolution games at disney quest. I loved it! And I know I'm a person who loves video games. So I got one for home, and I've been really sweating on it for about an hour a day.

So think outside the box! Nothing will work if you don't enjoy it.

Rachel

 

[mtemm]

honestly what I would do is join a gym. see if there are even free 1 month trials. sign up with a trainer to show you how to use the equipment and to set up a routine for you. you will get a good feel for all of the equipment, assuming you go. after that you can make your own decision...stick with the gym (which would be my first choice) or buy whichever piece of equipment you prefer...bike, treadmill, elliptical, whatever. of course you won't be able to buy quite the gym quality for your home, but you will have more information than you have now.

good luck to you!!!!

I want to say that I know a lot of the people here who are saying that their treadmill/elliptical/tapes/whatever are just dust collectors/clothes hangers are just joking around. but honestly I think the OP really doesn't need to hear that...its hard enough to get started without feeling like you have failed before you even bought the equipment. I know that isn't the intention, but it may feel that way. its one thing to say that your treadmill didn't work out for you, but this is what you do instead.

 

[minkydog]

I want to say that I know a lot of the people here who are saying that their treadmill/elliptical/tapes/whatever are just dust collectors/clothes hangers are just joking around. but honestly I think the OP really doesn't need to hear that...its hard enough to get started without feeling like you have failed before you even bought the equipment. I know that isn't the intention, but it may feel that way. its one thing to say that your treadmill didn't work out for you, but this is what you do instead.

I think they are just being honest. Go into any thrift store and you will find an assortment of exercise equipment that people got rid of. Most people don't give much thought to how they want to exercise, they just know they should. So they buy the new "magic toning/shaping/speedy" torture machine, on the assumption that the right machine is all it takes to turn them into the buff hard body they aspire to. When it gets boring, they don't have enough motivation to see it through. Then the equipment becomes an expensive clothes rack.

Before I'd buy equipment, I'd join a gym and use theirs. Find out what you like and what motivates you.Figure out how often you use it. Otherwise you're just wasting your money.

 

[Evil Princess]

I think they are just being honest. Go into any thrift store and you will find an assortment of exercise equipment that people got rid of. Most people don't give much thought to how they want to exercise, they just know they should. So they buy the new "magic toning/shaping/speedy" torture machine, on the assumption that the right machine is all it takes to turn them into the buff hard body they aspire to. When it gets boring, they don't have enough motivation to see it through. Then the equipment becomes an expensive clothes rack.

Before I'd buy equipment, I'd join a gym and use theirs. Find out what you like and what motivates you.Figure out how often you use it. Otherwise you're just wasting your money.

I don't agree. My mother is just not a gym person, and a couple of christmases ago we got an elliptical. She works out on it 3 days a week at least.

We hang our clothes in the unused showers in our house, not on the workout machines

I think that the OP was making an honest attempt to really change her life, and discouraging posts to someone who is just starting out can really change a persons mind.

 

[minkydog]

I don't agree. My mother is just not a gym person, and a couple of christmases ago we got an elliptical. She works out on it 3 days a week at least.

We hang our clothes in the unused showers in our house, not on the workout machines

I think that the OP was making an honest attempt to really change her life, and discouraging posts to someone who is just starting out can really change a persons mind.

Glad it worked out for your mom. Wonder if she needs my dad's unused rowing machine or my MILs stationery bike/lingerie-holder?

 

[joshsmom]

I REALLY appreciate all of the responses I have gotten. I did have a membership at Curves last year when I was at a different office at work and we all went together at lunch. WHAT a boost to my confidence. I was doing SO well. Then I moved to a different office and lost all the support. At the same time, my work load increased due to cutbacks--so I take a much shorter lunch and don't have the time to drive to Curves, do the workout, drive back and not stink in the meantime!

I've tried going in the evening, but I have so little time with Josh--he's having difficulty in school and he needs my help. I'm also going to grad school. Yes, I'm STRESSED OUT, way too busy, and not taking care of myself. I think that I am going to start out with walking. We live 1 1/2 blocks from our city park and it has a beautiful 1 mile walking trail. The beagles could use some time out of the yard, I love fresh air, and Josh could go too. I think that if I "schedule" this time each night after work but before homework, we could spend an hour outside, together, getting healthy! Of course, I was all gung ho to start today and it has rained and rained and rained all day long.

But I'm not going to get discouraged . . . you guys have given me hope and determination! If it's dry tomorrow, even if it's a little cool, we're going for our walk!!!! Thanks for all the support! I love you guys!!