Home Exercise Equipment

[WVMomof3]

What has the been the best bang for you buck in home equipment? New year/new you and I feel like I need to get moving more. Anything from jump rope to expensive systems, what do you feel you have gotten the most use out of? Also, any duds you wish you wouldn't have spent money on?

 

[havaneselover]

I bought a stairmaster in 1998. At that point I had been using a stairmaster regularly for 6 years or so. I use it almost every day for over an hour. Usually I'm watching TV and doing swagbucks (throw my laptop on the reading rack) before work. It's saved me a ton when I consider what I would have spent in gym fees and driving to and from the gym (I spent $2,500 for it plus I've put about $1,000 into it in maintenance). Plus I know it's always available and could use it when my kids were little (couldn't leave them in the house alone and run to the gym at 4:30 AM).

If I had more room and it broke, I'd probably get a high quality elliptical.

 

[DLgal]

We have an elliptical that is going on 4 years old now. We use it daily. It's great because it's silent so we can use it while watching TV or early in the morning and it doesn't disturb anyone else. It is also great because it's zero impact so even when we are having joint issues (knee and hip), or plantar fasciitis flare ups, we can use it.

I also still use my road bike regularly, but that's because we have great weather year round. The elliptical was about $1250 and the road bike $750. Both have been very good investments..much better than joining a gym.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Honestly the best bang for my buck has been sneakers and a coat.
I walk outside almost everyday for exercise.
I enjoy it more than any indoor exercise I've ever done.

The duds at my house have been exercise equipment.
The Gazelle while easy on your body also doesn't seem to work very well for exercise.
I absolutely despise the treadmill.
We have a bike that is loud and uncomfortable.
And we have an all in one home gym that also hasn't been used in years.

About the only indoor exercise that while I hated because it was so hard core but felt like if I could have handled it would have made a huge difference is the Jillian Michael's 12 week work out video program.

 

[morgan98]

We actually have somewhat of a home gym, as my husband is still a bit of a gym junkie and I have become one over the years. We have a weight bench (two actually...one that you can adjust to sit up for leg extensions,etc. and one just a flat weight bench) free weights and a rack with pulley system for pull downs, etc. We also have multiple tension resistance bands and various weight bars so we can do a variety of exercises. We also have a yoga mat and exercise balls for some floor exercises too.

I do both weights and cardio. I use the gym every morning before 5am so I can still get into work. I generally work out 6 days a week and rest one day, but lately I am more on a 10 on, one off cycle.

For cardio, at this point, we have a high quality treadmill. Our gym also has a 65 inch television so I can watch the news, youtube, pandora, etc while running. We sometimes toss around getting a elliptical machine, but really running on the treadmill (or running the trails in the national park behind our house) is the best cardio for us. I run on the treadmill, generally for 35-40 minutes at what I consider a decent pace for an almost 48 year old woman (7.2-7.5 miles an hour on average). For me, the treadmill may be boring, but I can easily do intervals on it and it is easy for me to challenge myself by running various inclines, speeds, calories burned, etc.

Exercise really is a personal thing. For me, I do not feel like I really am doing good cardio unless I really push myself into being a sweaty mess. I like to walk too, don't get me wrong, but I really do not consider that to replace my gym work.

 

[mco65]

Honestly the best bang for my buck has been sneakers and a coat.
I walk outside almost everyday for exercise.
I enjoy it more than any indoor exercise I've ever done.

The duds at my house have been exercise equipment.
The Gazelle while easy on your body also doesn't seem to work very well for exercise.
I absolutely despise the treadmill.
We have a bike that is loud and uncomfortable.
And we have an all in one home gym that also hasn't been used in years.

About the only indoor exercise that while I hated because it was so hard core but felt like if I could have handled it would have made a huge difference is the Jillian Michael's 12 week work out video program.

Walking is my gig as well but its TOO DARN COLD to do any of that this week! BUR...

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Walking is my gig as well but its TOO DARN COLD to do any of that this week! BUR...

I'm in the Buffalo area.
We just had a blizzard warning yesterday.
Meh I walk in it anyways lol.
This is the time of year I eat the worse and I've easily maintained and lost a couple of pounds in the last few weeks due to the cold and snow and wind.

 

[twoolle]

My treadmill still works great after 12 years, even after taking a spill on the interstate during a move. I walk fast on an incline in the winter while reading or memorizing scripture.

For weights I have been doing tabata style so I have some dumbbells, Swiss ball, medicine ball and I used to really love my kettlebell. I listen to Disney podcasts for that part of my workout!

The nice thing is you don't need a lot of equipment to get a good workout, but YouTube will help!

 

[Pesky]

We did a max trainer. I have to say -- I've used it! I love ellipticals when I go to the gym but you know what, for 15 minutes at home, I can somehow make the time for this machine whereas my elliptical before ended up as a clothes dryer. Other than that, I do yoga from some recorded program I like every now and again but the 15 minute interval training is what I have definitely stuck with . That and parking far away so I have to walk.

 

[Klayfish]

DW and I are both very much into weightlifting/fitness, etc...we go to a gym, so we don't work out at home. But if you're asking bang for the buck at home, the answer IMO, without question, is a set of free weights. Use Craigslist, buy yourself a rack of dumbbells. You don't need massive ones, get a set starting at 5lbs and going to 30lbs if you want. Add a workout bench and you give yourself an endless supply of options to work your entire body top to bottom.

Cardio machines are OK, but they shouldn't be the sole exercise. Doing pure cardio isn't the best fitness regimen, especially if you don't feed yourself properly for it. And don't think that if you lift weights, you'll wind up like Arnold circa 1982...you won't unless you lift super heavy and eat super heavy.

 

[wenrob]

Two pairs of good shoes. (I alternate them)
A FitBit (or in my case a collection of them)
A basic set of Dumbells (don’t just get one weight, get progressively higher so you can move up)

DW and I are both very much into weightlifting/fitness, etc...we go to a gym, so we don't work out at home. But if you're asking bang for the buck at home, the answer IMO, without question, is a set of free weights. Use Craigslist, buy yourself a rack of dumbbells. You don't need massive ones, get a set starting at 5lbs and going to 30lbs if you want. Add a workout bench and you give yourself an endless supply of options to work your entire body top to bottom.

Cardio machines are OK, but they shouldn't be the sole exercise. Doing pure cardio isn't the best fitness regimen, especially if you don't feed yourself properly for it. And don't think that if you lift weights, you'll wind up like Arnold circa 1982...you won't unless you lift super heavy and eat super heavy.

@Klayfish Do you have any ideas on a lifting program for women? I’m having a really hard time finding something that isn’t “Barbie Weights” or gigantic dudes slinging weights. I read New Rules for Women but I’m much more of a visual person. I don’t think working from a book will work for me. Looking to do a recomp. Thinking about getting this bench: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KTX6WEG/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I3PD6RNB9S0PMO&colid=GV07YUX4F3N3&psc=0

 

[kydisneyfans]

We bought an elliptical and treadmill several years ago.
They became overpriced coat racks and were never used.

I do walk/run the neighborhood, make sure you have great shoes and comfortable, seasonal clothes. We got rid of the equipment and I now hit the gym 5 days a week. I just could not motivate myself to work out at home, going to the gym forces me to focus.

 

[hsmamato2]

Honestly the best bang for my buck has been sneakers and a coat.
I walk outside almost everyday for exercise.
I enjoy it more than any indoor exercise I've ever done.
The duds at my house have been exercise equipment.

this is SO me! I LOVE to walk daily.....buuuuut the weather here has been awful and subzero and I don't walk outside in this....I ended up joining the gym around the corner since it's 4-5 minutes drive,and costs $10 for 2 people per month. Much cheaper than buying my own equipment and then trying to find space for it in my small house. I'll cancel the membership when the weather gets nice again in spring.

 

[Klayfish]

Two pairs of good shoes. (I alternate them)
A FitBit (or in my case a collection of them)
A basic set of Dumbells (don’t just get one weight, get progressively higher so you can move up)


@Klayfish Do you have any ideas on a lifting program for women? I’m having a really hard time finding something that isn’t “Barbie Weights” or gigantic dudes slinging weights. I read New Rules for Women but I’m much more of a visual person. I don’t think working from a book will work for me. Looking to do a recomp. Thinking about getting this bench: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KTX6WEG/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I3PD6RNB9S0PMO&colid=GV07YUX4F3N3&psc=0

First, I'll put the disclaimer in that I'm not a personal trainer...just someone who's been into lifting/exercising/nutrition for many years.

Lifting for women really shouldn't be any different than it is for men as far as the exercises you do. It's more about how "hard" you lift and how you feed your body. DW actually is more hardcore than I am. I weigh and measure a lot of my food, but she literally weighs how much salad mix goes into her lunch or dinner and counts every almond she eats. She also is stronger than I am in her lower body, she can squat and press things that would make my ligaments snap. She and I do a lot of the same exact lifting exercises...and frankly a lot of the variation between us is more about comfort level than differences in men vs women...i.e. some things she does are painful for my joints so I do alternatives.

I like that bench, actually. I like that it can incline and decline. As for a lifting program, for sake of discussion, I'll just give a sample 5 day routine. If you have less time, you can alter it to suit your needs. And this would be assuming you have nothing but dumbbells (if you can get an Olympic bar and weights too, great). Do as much weight as you want/are comfortable with. So...some ideas...you can YouTube or Google the exercises if you don't know what they are. Maybe do 3 sets of 10 of each exercise (or as close to 10 reps as you can)...don't do all of the exercises, pick 2 or 3 each week and rotate. There are many more than these, just some examples off the top of my head.

Monday = back. Bent over rows, reverse fly, trap raises (upright rows...these work shoulders too, but also the back), trunk twists (works your abs, but helps lower back), if you can find somewhere to do pull ups, hyperextensions, supermans

Tuesday = arms. Standing curls, hammer curls, spider curls, preacher curls, skull crushers (don't worry, not as bad as it sounds), triceps dips, overhead triceps press

Wednesday = shoulders. Front raises, lateral raises, incline lateral raises, Arnold presses, shoulder shrugs, upright rows, incline front raises

Thursday = chest. Dumbell press, incline press, decline press, fly, incline fly, decline fly

Friday = legs/abs. Squats, lunges, walking lunges, reverse lunges, calf raises, stiff leg deadlifts, crunches, incline sit ups, v ups, trunk twists, leg raises...hold your feet 6" off the floor while lying on your back, (there are SO many ab exercises, just do a quick Google search)

 

[wenrob]

First, I'll put the disclaimer in that I'm not a personal trainer...just someone who's been into lifting/exercising/nutrition for many years.

Lifting for women really shouldn't be any different than it is for men as far as the exercises you do. It's more about how "hard" you lift and how you feed your body. DW actually is more hardcore than I am. I weigh and measure a lot of my food, but she literally weighs how much salad mix goes into her lunch or dinner and counts every almond she eats. She also is stronger than I am in her lower body, she can squat and press things that would make my ligaments snap. She and I do a lot of the same exact lifting exercises...and frankly a lot of the variation between us is more about comfort level than differences in men vs women...i.e. some things she does are painful for my joints so I do alternatives.

I like that bench, actually. I like that it can incline and decline. As for a lifting program, for sake of discussion, I'll just give a sample 5 day routine. If you have less time, you can alter it to suit your needs. And this would be assuming you have nothing but dumbbells (if you can get an Olympic bar and weights too, great). Do as much weight as you want/are comfortable with. So...some ideas...you can YouTube or Google the exercises if you don't know what they are. Maybe do 3 sets of 10 of each exercise (or as close to 10 reps as you can)...don't do all of the exercises, pick 2 or 3 each week and rotate. There are many more than these, just some examples off the top of my head.

Monday = back. Bent over rows, reverse fly, trap raises (upright rows...these work shoulders too, but also the back), trunk twists (works your abs, but helps lower back), if you can find somewhere to do pull ups, hyperextensions, supermans

Tuesday = arms. Standing curls, hammer curls, spider curls, preacher curls, skull crushers (don't worry, not as bad as it sounds), triceps dips, overhead triceps press

Wednesday = shoulders. Front raises, lateral raises, incline lateral raises, Arnold presses, shoulder shrugs, upright rows, incline front raises

Thursday = chest. Dumbell press, incline press, decline press, fly, incline fly, decline fly

Friday = legs/abs. Squats, lunges, walking lunges, reverse lunges, calf raises, stiff leg deadlifts, crunches, incline sit ups, v ups, trunk twists, leg raises...hold your feet 6" off the floor while lying on your back, (there are SO many ab exercises, just do a quick Google search)

Thanks. I know you’re not a PT but reading your posts over the years I know you’re knowledgeable and sensible. I weigh/count everything that goes into my mouth so I already have that habit. I don’t mind macros too much but they seem to fall into place more often than not. I know I’ll need to bump my protein and calories a bit to do this. My goal is fat loss vs weight loss. I’m okay with maybe being a little heavier if my clothes are a little smaller.

I recognize about 95% of those you mentioned. Right now just Dumbells 3-12lbs but I’m hoping to go heavier as I progress. I know it’s going to take quite a bit of time but if I can lose close to 90lbs and maintain I can do this. I’ve never in my life been able to do a pull up. It’s on my bucket list.

Glad to hear you like the bench. It seems to suit my needs at the moment while still be able to tuck it behind the couch when there’s company. Thanks again for your input. Much appreciated.

 

[Klayfish]

Thanks. I know you’re not a PT but reading your posts over the years I know you’re knowledgeable and sensible. I weigh/count everything that goes into my mouth so I already have that habit. I don’t mind macros too much but they seem to fall into place more often than not. I know I’ll need to bump my protein and calories a bit to do this. My goal is fat loss vs weight loss. I’m okay with maybe being a little heavier if my clothes are a little smaller.

I recognize about 95% of those you mentioned. Right now just Dumbells 3-12lbs but I’m hoping to go heavier as I progress. I know it’s going to take quite a bit of time but if I can lose close to 90lbs and maintain I can do this. I’ve never in my life been able to do a pull up. It’s on my bucket list.

Glad to hear you like the bench. It seems to suit my needs at the moment while still be able to tuck it behind the couch when there’s company. Thanks again for your input. Much appreciated.

Outstanding, glad I could offer help!

Sounds like you've got a lot of key components going, which is awesome. Knowing what you eat and drink is key. Nutrition is just as important as exercise, probably more...there's a phrase that goes "Abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym", and it's so true. Yes, you need to exercise, but having the right "diet" is key. It doesn't mean starve yourself, just eat the right things. Unless your goal is to be on a bodybuilding stage, you don't need to be 100% spot on with your macros every day...but at least have solid control of them. My nutrition is heavily protein based, but there are some carbs (mostly from fruit) and healthy fats too. I use a lot of protein powder...usually 4 or 5 scoops per day. DW uses about 2 or 3 per day. I take in roughly 2500-2800 calories per day, and I'm 175lbs. DW...well, I won't divulge her weight...LOL...is something around 1700-1800 calories per day, I think. As I've mentioned in the past, we allow ourselves one cheat meal per week (I also add in a small carb re-feed snack once too, DW doesn't). I have no idea how many calories I eat in that one meal, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was over 2000...and I love every bite. DW doesn't eat that much in her cheat meal, but she does eat. Nothing wrong with enjoying "junk" food, it's just being sure it's done in well controlled moderation.

I love that you said your goal is fat loss vs. weight loss. So many people get hung up on the number on the scale. Don't. Sure, it's somewhat of a gauge of fitness, but it's not the be all and end all. Muscle is much heavier than fat, so a muscular person will weigh more. DW weighs more than you'd think just by looking at her, but she has an extraordinarily low body fat % for a female, and that's because she's ripped with muscles. She still weighs herself daily, just to help monitor things, but her body fat tests are what she really hangs her hat on. I'm actually 30lbs heavier than when I started lifting weights many years ago, but I'm far, far healthier. Besides, the best fat burner is...yep...muscle. That's why I always suggest lifting over cardio. People who tend to do exclusively cardio can wind up looking skinny, but have a high body fat count and struggle to "lose weight" after a while. That's because cardio doesn't build a ton of muscle, and if you don't feed yourself right, you can actually burn muscle...so you wind up skinny with a high body fat count and struggle to make further gains. I'm not at all implying things like walking aren't healthy. Walking, running, etc...are far better than doing nothing. But if you're truly into getting super fit, exclusively cardio isn't the way to go.

As for pull ups, just do what you can. They aren't easy...I can only do a few without assistance (I go to a gym that has an assisted pull up machine...but I can do some without it). DW always needs some assistance with those.

 

[loves to dive]

I have a mini home gym in my basement, I have an eliptical, free weights, a weight bench pulley system, stability balls (or unstability balls as I call them) resistance bands and cords, balance board, pilates circle, yoga mat, small medicine balls, step, air climber. I rarely use the weight bench pulley system any more. Everything else gets used. I work out to DVDs and rotate cardio, strength, interval, yoga and pilates. I do some sort of strength training at least twice a week and cardio at least twice a week. I'm 60 years old so I do at least half hour, sometimes more and don't lift very heavy weights, just enough to keep my bones happy. I use the eliptical when I just don't feel like doing anything else, I can turn the TV on and watch that while using it.

 

[firefly_ris]

We have a:

- Treadmill
- Rower
- Basic weight bench and a few small dumbells

They are all primarily used in the winter. My husband prefers the treadmill and I prefer the rowing machine. I'm trying to get more into the weights, but I need to make a better habit of it and do some better research on what I should be doing.

In the summer, the equipment is mostly dormant and we walk, bike, hike, and our property requires a load of outdoor maintenance so we do a lot of physical activity just doing yardwork... and moving loads of dirt, splitting logs, raking, shoveling, and that sort of stuff all spring, summer and fall.