Exercise at home

[pontifex]

What would be the best type of equipment for exercising at home to lose weight? I don't have much space and need something that maybe costs $300 or less.


There's something wrong with my feet so I'm not sure a treadmill will work too well. I don't know what's wrong, haven't seen a doc yet (stupidly put it off and currently have no insurance). Will have insurance soon so I'll get it looked at ASAP. Sometimes it's extremely painful in one or both of my feet and I feel like I can barely walk.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

You can't really get all the equipment you would need to maximally benefit yourself for only $300. Do you have something against going to the gym? Often times, one will be near enough you to be convenient and it will have all the equipment you'll need plus more.

 

[pontifex]

Gyms are too expensive and I don't know that I have the time and motivation to go to one. I'm also uncomfortable with myself around other people in a normal setting, let alone a gym.

I don't exercise at all, so this would be a huge step forward for me.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: pontifex
Gyms are too expensive and I don't know that I have the time and motivation to go to one. I'm also uncomfortable with myself around other people in a normal setting, let alone a gym.

I don't exercise at all, so this would be a huge step forward for me.

I understand that sometimes people may be nervous as they first enter a gym. However, why would anybody care what you do? You would be in the gym, doing what millions of Americans aren't - getting healthier. You can get a year's worth of gym membership for $300. This would put you on the right track. You should read the fat loss sticky. You would have optimal results if you had weights, a power rack, and a bench. You can't get all of that for $300. Even if you could, most people don't have space. Squatting is one of the most vital exercises, especially for losing weight. Without a power rack and significant weight to continually challenge yourself, the results will be slow.

I understand that you don't exercise. The thing is that it would be better to get into the optimal routine first. This will give you results and boost your confidence. There's no point in going for a sub-par routine and then trying to get into a better one. Why not start with the best there is first? It will be good for you. Read the fat loss sticky though, really. It will tell you some things you need to know for your goals.

 

[Chebago]

I'm the same way as you, there is no way I would find the motivation to go to a gym. Luckily there are tons of things you can do for around $300.

If you want to lift weights you can usually pick up a full set of weights (that includes a bench, a bar or two, and about 265 lbs of weights) on Craigslist. A used bowflex is probably right around $300 if you want an all-in-one type machine.

You could also pick up a nice heavy bag, gloves, and a stand (if you don't have any place to mount it).

Heck, you could even buy a workout routine like P90X and some dumbells and a door chin up bar and still have money to spare.

Good luck...

 

[SP33Demon]

I use a jumprope, it's $15 and you can do cardio in the comfort of your house. Lower impact than running, just about the same caloric burn per minute. Nothing will give you a true FULL body cardio session like jumproping, it's why it's the main cardio choice of boxers. They say if you have any weak points, jumproping will expose them. For example, my calves burn out at around 275 jumps. When I first started, I could only go for 80ish.

 

[katank]

Pullup bar (~$20-30), rings(~$50-70), and kettlebells (kinda pricey but you can make your own) are all versatile pieces of equipment which can be used at home. These maybe a bit intimidating if you are just starting out but most things can be scaled down appropriately. Running also requires no equipment.

That said, going to a gym and lifting heavy will definitely be the preferred approach. If you get good coaching, that can be invaluable. The stuff at home can be used for supplementary training.

 

[QuantumPion]

If you shell out hard-earned money to get a gym membership, and schedule your week around regular visits, then you will have a good motivation to go.

If you try to do it on your own at home, unless you have tremendous willpower, you will not do it regularly and eventually give up.

If you are really set on working out at home and don't have a lot of money, there are a ton of great exercises you can do that are high intensity and will get you in shape, without the need for any equipment at all. There's a good website with a hot babe that does lots of varied resistance exercises, I think it is bodyrock.tv (google it).

 

[Titan]

Just because it wasn't in your post, make sure your diet is in good order first. You aint going to be losing weight or even feeling good exercising until you are eating right, so read the fat loss sticky for this.

No one is in your business in the gym. No one will ever judge you for being there, or for how you look. Now if you're afraid of meeting people you'll know, that MIGHT be a legitimate concern, but still, they'll probably just be minding their own business and if they do say hello, they will think highly of you for even doing the right thing and going to the gym.

 

[RKS]

1. go to a doctor to check your feet
2. have your feet measured at a foot store and buy some good shoes
3. start walking

 

[Onita]

Are you looking for cardio or weight lifting type equipment?

 

[lyssword]

<< doesn't go to gym, but still in good shape.

What I do:

1) fist pushups (you can do regular, but you'll need more of those). If you do 3-5 max sets every other day you'll significantly improve your triceps/chest. Started out with 24 max, now I can do 34, + more sets. Go all the way down and touch chest to the floor. I calculated that pushups put 78% of body weight on your arms, so if you touch chest at floor that's equal to a benchpress . Plus, compared to bench press it's much safer for the shoulders, never had any pain doing pushups (except for regular lactic acid).

I use triple folded towel under my fists.

2) Pullups: I started out with 12 pullups, yesterday I did 20 perfect pullups (no swinging, chin above bar, full extension) on fat bar. Really works your biceps and lats+ grip, my back looks much beefier than when I was going to gym.

I wear thin winter gloves to protect from skin tears.

3) Going to park which is about half mile, throwing baseball for like 30 mins 3x a week (little bit of running to pickup baseballs), usually end up sweating at the end.

4) Do walking lounges, across the house, 2-3 sets once a week.

I was taking weight lifting classes, but I was more fat and possibly weaker than I am now. The key is to exercise consistently every day, and in 1 month you'll be in much better shape.