Home exercise equipment recommedation?

[Pardus]

Cancelled my expensive gym membership, at $40 per month and a 30 min drive, I felt like i was paying for something i had no time to use cause its a hassle to get down there and the place it always packed.

Looking to get some type of home gym of the sorts.

Cant decide between Weider Total Body Works 5000 Gym or Stamina 1205 Precision Rower

Will be picking up some dumbbells. Recommendations for a small apt ?

 

[Saint Nick]

What are your goals as far as fitness goes?

 

[Pardus]

want to get into shape, trim down the belly fat a bit, nothing crazy. i'm pretty slim at it is, just hate dealing with the gym atmosphere.

 

[rayfieldclement]

get stuff from

http://www.fitnessfactory.com

 

[Saint Nick]

To rid yourself of fat, you need to adjust your diet. To achieve a larger caloric deficit, you could just go running for 15 minutes every other day instead of buying equipment, unless of course you have a medical condition preventing you from running.

 

[QueBert]

OP what about a work out program like p90x, Insanity or Rushfit? I'm 40 days into Rushfit and I'm loving it. Was cheaper than most decent workout equipment, and i find it very versatile. All you need is a couple of dumbbells, and if you're working out on a hard floor I'd suggest some sort of mat. I've lost some #'s on it, but more importantly for me, I feel in better shape and am able to work out a lot harder than 40 days ago. My diet is suspect at times, so my physical progress isn't super noticeable, but my internal progress is thru the roof.

I also like it because with my bench, even with switching up from curls, to presses to whatever. Everything felt pretty static to me. And I'd get bored *ymmv* with these DVD's I'm doing totally different stuff each work out, so my interest stays higher.

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

I was going to suggest a rowing machine, but then I saw your second link, so now I'm going to suggest a proper rowing machine.

 

[Pardus]

Saint Nick , i eat very healthy, no fast food.. no junk food. Sitting 12 hours a day working on networks is prob the worst thing i am doing.

QueBert, never tried P90X, did try a similar one and like you i was bored with it. I want to bulk up, add muscle, that is why i need some exercise equipment to do that. These workout videos have people running and jumping which is not what i want to do.

I was going to suggest a rowing machine, but then I saw your second link, so now I'm going to suggest a proper rowing machine.

Link to proper rowing machine ?

Thanks for the info all.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Power rack, a nice adjustable bench, and a 300lb olympic weight set. With those 3 pieces of equipment you can build every muscle. I cut the gym out completely with these pieces of equipment. And I don't miss it one bit. Doesn't hurt that I no longer pay gym dues either.

Edit: nvm small apt. Small apt I'd recommend an all bodyweight exercise program. Push ups, squat, door jamb pull up bar, running around the neighborhood, etc.. You would be surprised at the amount of muscle you can build like that.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Figure out what your daily caloric intake should be. Then if you want to loose weight, go into a deficiency.

If you want to gain muscle, you need weights.
If you want cardiovascular health, run. Running can help with some muscle growth, but it is nothing like weights.

Running is fun and a good measure of fitness in my opinion. You can go from not being able to run 100 yards to running 3 miles. Takes 12 weeks. Cost: $70 for some decent running shoes.
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

What is your budget for an indoor cardio device?
The best:
http://www.concept2.com/us/default.asp

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

Saint Nick , i eat very healthy, no fast food.. no junk food. Sitting 12 hours a day working on networks is prob the worst thing i am doing.

QueBert, never tried P90X, did try a similar one and like you i was bored with it. I want to bulk up, add muscle, that is why i need some exercise equipment to do that. These workout videos have people running and jumping which is not what i want to do.



Link to proper rowing machine ?

Thanks for the info all.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indoor_rower

They are amazing. They stimulate completely different muscle groups to running or cycling (maybe slightly similar to swimming), it's a lot better for your joints, and if you want it to, having a workout on a rowing machine will completely destroy you.

 

[Saint Nick]

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=129247741

 

[Pia]

Screw "home gyms".

Kettlebells are a perfect fit for a small apartment, and can give you tons of strength. They take no room in storage, and only need a small space to use. A single kettlebell is enough to start with. (16kg/35lbs bell is the usual starter KB for a man, but if you are of small build and weak, 12kg might be good too. Don't worry about outgrowing KBs - there are always harder movements which require smaller weights.)

For long duration, low heartrate aerobic fitness, a good rowing machine (Concept2?) is the best but expensive. I'd own one if I had the space and budget.

 

[gar655]

C2 rower plus a set of Powerblock adjustable dumbbells and you're all set. A little expensive but both will last nearly forever.

 

[tedrodai]

Edit: nvm small apt. Small apt I'd recommend an all bodyweight exercise program. Push ups, squat, door jamb pull up bar, running around the neighborhood, etc.. You would be surprised at the amount of muscle you can build like that.

I'd second this suggestion. I cut out the gym a couple years ago and started focussing on bodyweight exercises + running to great effect. I love going to the gym for weightlifting and certain pieces of equipment such as (coincidently) a good rowing machine, but I already have a 3hr daily commute (in good traffic) and a wife and new little baby that I'd like to spend time with, so it's more of a time-savings measure for me. There's no way I'd make it to the gym very often, so I wanted a routine I could do at home.

Anywho, my muscles are still getting bigger and stronger, despite not dealing with free weights. The basics that oil mentioned are always useful, as are core exercises such as planks and L-sit/V-sit. To mix things up you might do progressions to work towards muscle-ups (eh this one might be tough in an apt with a door pull up bar), planche (planche pushups look fun ), and other gymnastics strength exercises. I'm not talking about all the flips and twists and flexibility stuff, etc...there are some awesome gymnastics exercises that require minimal equipment and space, are done in a smooth and controlled manner like any weightlifting you'd perform, and are all about overall body strength.

Getting rid of the belly fat will always be more about diet than exercise.

Edit: well I should probably have said overall strength above the waist lol...can't forget the legs either.

 

[threeseat]

The concept 2 erg machine is by far the most complete and intense workout ive ever experienced, though for your particular situation its a bit pricey. However, if you're serious about staying healthy, then you can't go wrong with one. If you're like me, the erg is great too cause the monitor has so much info on it that you can really track your progress across the months. Also you have the option to do a quick sprint workout or a long steady state. the smaller rowing machines aren't bad but they really dont compare. Also concept 2 machines come apart and fit nicely...I fit one in the closet of my college dorm last year lol.

Conisder it an investment...treat the erg well and it'll pay for itself in a few years. You're quads, core, and back will get stronger, and you're endurance levels will go through the roof. Who knows you might even find a new passion.

Running always works too for me lol.