Fitness machine - advice needed ?

minnow

Hi there,

As a beginner in the fitness field (apart from previous field sports), I need some advice about my planned purchase of some sort of exercise machine.
Gyms are not a possibility for my wife and I due to long work hours and kid commitments (and none in the area) so we are considering purchasing some sort of exercise machine.
Can you please advise what would be the best option for weight loss / cardio exercise ? We have thought about an exercise bike, treadmill or rowing machine, and would appreciate your advice on what might be most suitable.
I expect to use it approx 4 times per week for 30-60 mins.

Cheers
Minnow

Parsley

I'd recommend a Concept 2 model D or E rowing machine.

Doug Cartel

A skipping rope and pull-up bar would make good first purchases. Then some kind of weights set.

minnow

Can anybody outline to me the pros and cons of the options:
- exercise bike
- treadmill
- rowing machine

Oryx

minnow wrote: »

Can anybody outline to me the pros and cons of the options:
- exercise bike
- treadmill
- rowing machine

Pros (of all of the above)
Convenient, indoors.
Cheaper long term than gym membership.
You can watch tv on em

Cons
Take up space.
Expensive for good quality.
Lacks the motivation of a gym.
Tend to not be used at all after a while. (see above!)
Noisy.

Machines are not magical instruments that get you fit simply by owning them, willpower is required too, and before investing in anything, but particularly a treadmill, why not spend a few weeks getting outdoors to run, (while the weather is still good) just to see if you have the commitment to stick to it? Running out of doors is nicer anyway, and the equipement is free.

I have fitness equipment, and based on what does get used and what doesnt, I would say buy:
A regular bike and turbo trainer. A chin up bar. Some reasonably heavy weights/kettlebells (and a one on one with a personal trainer to learn how to use them). A swiss ball. Good running shoes, and run outside.

If you must have a machine, buy a rower.

Scuba Ste

minnow wrote: »

Can anybody outline to me the pros and cons of the options:
- exercise bike
- treadmill
- rowing machine

One con is that you can use a bike or run outside which is more satisfying imo.

You can't really row unless you have a kayak and a river, plus the rower uses more muscles in a greater range of motion.

Doug Cartel

As far as I'm concerned, the treadmill and the stationary bike are only useful if you want to be able to jump on and do x number of miles or minutes as part of a larger routine. On their own they're too one-dimensional and they're not as good as the real thing.

The rowing machine is a fantastic piece of equipment, and I'm a big fan of them. Only problem is that a decent rower is expensive, and when it comes down to it, all you can do with it is rowing.

The skipping rope, pull-up bar and weights set allow you to do a lot more stuff - for both cardio and strength - and allow you to get a much more balanced workout. Check out the metacon thread for examples.

AntiVirus

If you're thinking of getting a rowing machine I'd say you should try one out first, especially if your going to be doing an hour on it. I've seen people running for an hour on a treadmill, cycling for an hour on a bike and plodding away for an hour on the x-trainer but I've never ever seen anyone on the rowing machine for more than 10 minutes! In fact, in my gym there almost always free to use. They're an absolute killer!

TommyKnocker

AntiVirus wrote: »

If you're thinking of getting a rowing machine I'd say you should try one out first, especially if your going to be doing an hour on it. I've seen people running for an hour on a treadmill, cycling for an hour on a bike and plodding away for an hour on the x-trainer but I've never ever seen anyone on the rowing machine for more than 10 minutes! In fact, in my gym there almost always free to use. They're an absolute killer!

I would usually row for a hour or so :D

10 mins warm up concentrating on stroke & breathing (10 mins)
12 x 80 sec hard with 60 sec recovery (28 mins)
5km steady rowing (20-22 SPM) in circa 20-22 mins

Total Rowing time 58-60 mins

This + some core work will be my workout this evening.

IMHO when you look into the proper technique for indoor rowing and apply it and break your session into chunks as above, you do not notice the time going by.

I don't think I have ever seen anybody use the CII's in my gym with anything like a decent technique, which is hardly surprising as it does not seem like any of the gym trainers have the first clue about rowing technique either. I think this is why most only last around 10 minutes.


M

Mellor

B-Builder wrote: »

I don't think I have ever seen anybody use the CII's in my gym with anything like a decent technique,

I think my technique is ok, but i'd really love to get it assessed properly.


run/bike/row triathalon workout out tonight.
(prepare to be sick)

TommyKnocker

I am not nor have i ever been a rower and have never had my technique assesed. I used this Youtube video whcih I thought was quite well explained as my guide for technique.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqVmMd7FdAA

What distances do you run/bike/row?

M

mumzboyz

Apologies Minnow for hijacking your thread.

I was actually going to start up a thread this morning about rowing machines. From my research on the net, it seems that the Concept II is the way to go but my budget would not allow for this expense. Are there any other rowing machines which are much cheaper and would do the same work i.e. (major) weight loss as this one. I was having a look in the A***s catalogue but it is all double dutch to me.

Thanks

AntiVirus

B-Builder wrote: »

I would usually row for a hour or so :D

10 mins warm up concentrating on stroke & breathing (10 mins)
12 x 80 sec hard with 60 sec recovery (28 mins)
5km steady rowing (20-22 SPM) in circa 20-22 mins

Total Rowing time 58-60 mins

This + some core work will be my workout this evening.

IMHO when you look into the proper technique for indoor rowing and apply it and break your session into chunks as above, you do not notice the time going by.

I don't think I have ever seen anybody use the CII's in my gym with anything like a decent technique, which is hardly surprising as it does not seem like any of the gym trainers have the first clue about rowing technique either. I think this is why most only last around 10 minutes.


M

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