Treadmill? exercise bike? Wii fit??

[ChrisinNJ]

I need to start a regular exercise routine. Due to our schedules I would like to get a piece of exercise equipement to use early in the morning when DH leaves for work & kids are still sleeping. I am on a budget so I am looking for something not too expensive.

I was thinking of getting an exercise bike. I like the bike more than the treadmill. Between the bike & the treadmill, does one give a better workout? Should I get the one I enjoy more so I actually do it?

Any recomendations for an inexpensive exercise bike? I saw some cheap ones in this weeks sale fliers.

Also, we got a wii this christmas. What kind of exercises are done on the wii fit board? Will a wii fit really help you get in shape? Is it a worthwhile investment?

Thanks!

 

[Debbie]

Should I get the one I enjoy more so I actually do it?

Absolutely. There is NO point in getting a piece of equipment that you dislike. It will become a clothes hanger faster than the fourth load of laundry!

What kind of exercises are done on the wii fit board? Will a wii fit really help you get in shape? Is it a worthwhile investment?

There are four categories of exercises with 10-20 activities of each. When you first start out, only a few are 'open' on each board and as you do them more are opened for you to do. There are basic yoga exercises, getting the breathing and posture in place. There are strength exercises, working on body core, and easy arm/hips/legs stuff. There are aerobic exercises of hula hoop, step, rhythm (boxing), and jogging. Finally-my favourite, since I have none!-balance games.

Will it help me get in shape? Not if I don't use it or I don't watch my food intake. Will it motivate me? Absolutely IF I do the daily "Body Test", which give me a balance report, a weight report and a BMI report.

Between the Body Test and the activities, my goal is to get the energy to start a walking program, which, with the Wii Fit and anything else I do (read nutrition) hopefully will result is the "lifestyle change" that everyone talks about. HTH

 

[ohMom]

definately get the equipment that you like to do best!

 

[mousehouselover]

If you like the bike better, go for it!

We got the Wii Fit for Christmas. I love it. It's mostly fun but you do feel the work out. Our trainer even thinks they're pretty good. Anything to keep people motivated and moving.

We got a treadmill for pretty cheap, it does what we need it to but it's definately close to the bottom of the line with limited features. Now I've gotten shin splints and should switch to a bike but we don't have any room for one............

 

[snarlingcoyote]

My advice is that everybody loves WiiFit. As for the others, go on Freecycle, Craig's list, your local freebie classified paper, and the newspaper classified and keep an eye out for the item you want.

Eventually, one WILL turn up. Aim for a low-end one to start. If you like it, you can either watch and wait to pounce on a used high-end whatever-it-is or invest in a new one. If you don't like it, sell it for around what you paid for it.

My tip for exercise on generally repetitive motion machines (elliptical, treadmill, bike) is to start recording your favorite shows and put your machine by that TV or computer. (Or put the computer by that machine) If you want to watch the show, you have to exercise. No exercise, no show.

It keeps me honest and motivates me to exercise. I elliptical about 240 minutes a week and split my workouts between music videos and my shows.

 

[r3ngels]

Wii Fit! Hands down is my favorite... it is so fun. I have heard good things (for others on this board) that my fitness coach for the Wii is good to I just don't have it.

I have a treadmill, ellipitical and my DH has other weight- type equipment all in the house and I belong to curves... it is all work. Wii is fun and I think I am getting a better all over workout with the Wii Fit than the others.

Check out the other Wii Fit threads here... there is a few going.

Warning... it is slightly addicting.

 

[Kallista]

I get "FitTv" with my basic cable/satellite package and I love several of their work-out programs.

"Namaste Yoga," "Gilad's Body Sculpt," "Gilad's Bodies in Motion," and "All Star Workouts" are all favorites are our house.

They have a belly dance workout show and some other (harder) aerobics shows.

 

[cmul04]

Set yourself up for success and do what you like most.

We got the Wii fit for Christmas and truly, I don't know where it's been all my life!! It can be such a good workout, heart rate elevated, sustained, sore muscles...the whole shebang. When I think about the money I've spent on health clubs, ugh, Wii all the way.

 

[FireDancer]

I agree that the best piece of equipment is the one you will use. I don't play wii do I can't comment on wii fit but from what I read it does get positive reviews.

As far as where to buy the treadmill/bike I would look for a local shop that resells refurbished gym equipment. A lot of health clubs will replace equipment before it has to be and there are shops that will check the equipment, replace parts that need to be, and then resell the equipment.

While some things I wouldn't purchase refurbished I would definitely consider a refurbished treadmill or bike. The equipment made for gyms will be designed for a lot more traffic than you will provide in your house so it should last a while.