I'm thinking about buying one of these machines. Does anyone have any experience with them? Are there good brands versus not so good? What features are must haves? Any help would be appreciated!

tj,

i personally have never been a fan of them. i am a traditionalist when it comes to exercise equipment. noth beats a high quality tread mill, but then again nothing beats working out in the element on the street. as a side note i do have some friends with them who swear by them. i wish i could help you out more buddy.

I was thinking treadmill, too, but Mrs. TJ thinks an elliptical trainer might be better what with the upper body workout, too. I'll keep looking.

I vote for a gym membership. I think more often than not, when a machine of this type is purchased it is used a great deal at first and then languishes in a dark corner.

Furthermore, the key to working out over the long term is variety. With a single type of machine bordem will quickly ensue causing one to give up on it.

The thing that works for me is a mix:
- gym membership with a good variety of arobic machines
- weight training at the gym
- cycling
- swimming
- walking
Mix and match according to mood.

Vigorous sexual gymnastics would be a good way to go...think of your motivation factor alone

eric,

i think the problem with most home equipment is that it is of lower quality. if i were to ever buy something for home i would start by going to a gym supply company. you have to buy something made buy lifecycle for example. if you run up to sears and buy a treadmill for $900 i almost ensure you that after a few months you will be unhappy with the quality.

tj,

save yourself some money. go outside and walk or run, then buy yourself a little bench with some freeweights for upper body workouts. usually you can pick up a bench used for about $50 and free weights for around $.40 a pound. this leaves more money to spend on wine

That's a good point Ant, but I still think the monotony of a single type of machine will eventually dissuade almost anyone from using it after a while. I use about 4 or 5 different trainers at the gym for this very reason (not to mention you get a better overall workout by varying your routine).

TJ, I go to the gym a few days a week. I use the elliptical in lieu of the treadmill because I cannot run regularly AND play golf. The combo wrecks my back and there is NO WAY I am giving up golf. Between the elliptical and the bicycle I have lost 15 pounds since the beginning of the year (or since you saw me in NYC at the 06/15/02 dinner).

I think ellipticals are a great way to excercise--very efficient. I am in and out of the gym in 45 minutes and I can burn 500-700 calories.

Couldn't even guess what brand of elliptical I use.

Diversity of exercise is good. I've got a Precor Health Club treadmill, Nordic Trak, Rowing machine and free weights in the basement & I have kept at it 5-6 days per week for 5 years straight. Most often I use the treadmill and weights, but it's nice to have the opportunity to switch.

I've tried elipticals twice & each time the "have to keep everything moving all the time" aspect has put me off them. You can't even take a sip of water without stopping or toally screwing up your rhythm. It's annoying.

My only problem with joining a gym is that I know I wouldn't go. I'm not motivated enough to go and drive someplace to work out. If I do something, it has to be either at home or starting/ending at home.

I'm going to the doctor tomorrow for a long overdue physical and I know what he's gonna tell me. I know I have to work out, I am just trying to find a way to do it in a way that I know I'll have a better chance of success.

I used to run, a lot. I was running 7-10 miles a day. But one of my knees will not cooperate with me and I am doubting that brisk walking will help enough, hence the desire to get some sort of machine. And Ant, I think one of those industrial strength machines would be great, but at $2K-$4K, that is just too darn rich for my blood.

I've got to mull it over....

TJ, I know exactly how you feel WRT getting motivated to actually GO to the gym. It helps if you can work it into your routine - for me, that means I have my gym clothes in the car every day and go to the gym DIRECTLY after work. If I go home first, there is just about zero chance that I will go back out to the gym.

TJ, I go to the gym 7 days a week. I run 7 days a week and lift weights three. The Precor Elliptical Trainer is a fantastic machine, but I bet it's over two G's. It takes the strain off your knees and back, so I use it sometimes instead of the treadmill. I turn the resistance up high and get a real good workout. If I could have only one exercise, it would be the Precor Elliptical Trainer. Don't buy it if you're looking for upper body exercise. The arm movements won't build any muscle unless you're totally devoid of striated muscle. It will burn a great number of calories and strengthen your legs and heart. If you're dead set agianst joining a gym (my first choice), the the Precor Elliptical Trainer is the way to go.

Maybe I should just start slow and start walking a lot. A quick search shows those puppies at $2K-3K. Ouch!

Actually that's how I started. I'd go for a walk at night, with a cigar no less. I'd walk 1,2, 3 miles, then built up to as many as 7 with only one cigar for the first mile or so. I'd take a circuitous route so that I couldn't cut back and wimp out. Then I started going without the cigar and began walking faster. then I joined a gym and started walking on the treadmill, then mixing in some jogging, and later adding some sprinting and weightlifting. Don't try to do it all at once.

If you're into rowing, a Concept II rowing machine is around $750-$800.
I've had mine for 4 years. It's in the basement, right next to the wine cellar,
so I don't have to drive anywhere to get there!

Those rowing machines give you a hellova work out! My problem though is they tend to give me back trouble

Eric,
You should get your technique checked. It should be your legs and upper back that feel the strain. If your lower back is hurting it means you're being pulled back rather than controling the pull through.

TJ,
Walk with weight bags around your ankles. You'll get your heart rate up and you'll burn calories like you won't believe. You might also end up with thighs, calves and a butt even the new Californian gov would be jealous of.

I do press ups and scrunches. I can't run anymore. Climbing is good to.

Boardo,
You're the man!

with all this talk of exercising i am actually getting motivated to get my lazy ass up of this chair and away from you people for a while. i'm going to go hit the pavement with the sweet thoughts of my wine sitting in the decanter for when i get back. c-ya

Interesting Jeremy, I'll do that - thanks.

just got back from a nice 5 miler. now for my reward