Exercise Equipment At Home

mimi1234

I've been a gym regular for a number of years but have recently found I just don't get that much time to go and paying a monthly membership is a waste of money as I go like 4 or 5 times a month. The local gym does not do a "pay as you come" or a daily charge so I can't get round the monthly fee.

I was thinking about getting some kind of cardio equipment at home and was hoping some of you might be able to make suggestions. I did once get a stepping machine from Argos, it was a Reebok one, but the stupid thing broke after 20ish days so that was a waste of money.

Other than Argos, where would I be able to get something, and what item would be best? It's just for general cardio, hopefully something I could use 5 x a week. Would I have to pay a lot of money to get something decent? I don't want another Reebok item that breaks down after 20 days.

Any suggestions? Thanks for reading.

Quackers1

How about joining a local Freecycle, or equivalent, we've been fortunate to gain a bike and crosstrainer that others were getting rid off. They're not high quality like those you'd find in a gym but both work and will do so until we can upgrade them.

Gloomendoom

We have quite a selection of gym equipment at home, albeit underused at the moment. It's all good quality heavy duty stuff picked up cheaply from eBay.

There is a multigym, a large selection of free weights, a rowing machine and a cross trainer. Of them all I'd recommend the rowing machine and free weights. The others take up a lot of room... which is why you can often find them for sale cheap!

Fire_Fox

Why do you think you need a machine for cardio? Unless you spend a lot of money you won't be able to progress the intensity or change the routines so get any significant benefit. You also should not be using the same machine five times a week, you should be doing a variety of different exercises.

There is plenty you can do with your own bodyweight, especially if you can take advantage of stairs or a hill. Indoors you might consider a Flexi-bar, skipping rope, boxing gloves and a decent punchbag. Outdoor options are a regular pushbike or a pair of running shoes, an armband for your mobile phone or mp3 player and running gloves.

Arthurian

Running up and down stairs until you get out of breath, several times a day, has to be better for you than gym sessions once a week.

Unless you fall down them......

Dreamscometrue

I also used to go to the gym a lot under the Pruhealth deal and for years before that. I don't go anymore due to the cost and crazy hours that I work. I've got loads of stuff at home including balls, weights and dvds. I recently bought the Fit bike from Amazon for £76 and I'm really happy with it so far. I haven't used it many times as I'm suffering from some kind of mystery virus that I've had for over 3 weeks that is making my body ache BUT I'm sure that I will get a lot of use out of it.

cherylsurrey

I buy all mine from

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/
I must add that I have been training 6 days a week for 16 years, my equipment gets hammered, when I first started I bought cheap from Argos and had to keep returning everything as it just didnt last. It's only worth spending more money if you will definately use it, I know it will as even my local council gym costs £43 a month.

Pros of home equipment are in the long term it's cheaper than a gym, and its there when you feel like using it, you dont have to travel to a gym, it's also indoors so you can use it in all weathers, unlike running outside when its cold and wet.

I use an elliptical, less damage to your joints as it's low impact and with most they have a variety of programs so that you can vary the intensity of your workout.

lavandergirl_2

Check out P90x.

All I needed was a pull up bar and adjustable dumbbells and my body composition has changed significantly.

baby_frogmella

If you are deadly serious (ie won't give up) about doing cardio at home then a Concept Model D indoor rower is your best bet. Sure its not cheap at around £1k but it's guaranteed to last you many, many years (bombproof), has varying levels of intensity, can be easily distmantled for storage, and above all, is a great all-rounder...tones your legs, back, arms, abdomen etc. I've been using one for 6 years 5-6 times a week and can't recommend it enough