Hi
I am just beginning to work out and wonder what the best piece of equipment is to buy! I really need help with my abs and thighs and thought that either a rowing machine or an exercise bike would be best, any suggestions? I may end up buying both too....What is the best? I need some opinions...thanks a bunch

Well that all depends on your goals...

Each piece of equipment works different parts of the body. The rowing machine works primarily your pulling muscles (back, rear delts, and biceps) and legs while the stationary bike just works your legs. Now on one hand, the rowing machine may give you a better full body workout and help you to achieve muscular endurance in your upper body, but this is a physically demanding form of cardio as your upper body tens to exhaust before your heart does. For this reason, most people cannot use the rowing machine for the amount of time needed to truly get a good cardiovascular workout and burn the calories. Now, the stationary bike works primarily the legs and is more suitable for longer durations, but as stated before, it only works the legs.

My suggestion to you is to not buy either and spend the money on a gym membership and maybe a Personal Trainer. I'd be willing to be about 99.9% of all home gym equipment is used for about two weeks before it is used as a second table, work bench, or just lays around collecting dust. Most people want the convenience, but exercise is meant to be inconvenient and I gaurantee you workouts will be better and more consistent at a gym than in the security and privacy of your home. A gym will give you more access to more resources including stationary bikes and rowing machines. Now, maybe my opinion is a little bias as I am a Personal Trainer, but I've seen failed attempts time and time again with the people who try to be disciplined and perform their exercise at home. Hope this helps!

I disagree. The environment in which one works out does not have to do with whether that person is committed or not. It's about the person.

Anyway I prefer a rowing machine. It is more about the total body than the exercise bike. Of course each has its own benefits.

[This message has been edited by Shane (edited 08-10-2001).]

Thanks for the advice!
I really do need home gym equipment though as we are an hour away from any fitness centres and it would not be practical to drive in everyday to do a workout!

I mostly need to work on my abs and thighs,I know walking is great and I have that covered I just wanted to know what kind of equipment is out there to speed up the process!
Thanks

A SNIP from a previous but recent post..>>

Well since you asked. The rowing machine is the MOST efficient machine in most gyms, if used CORRECTLY.
By correctly, I mean correct technique and a structured program.. There is plenty of information available from the Concept 2 web-site at www.concept2.co.uk. (http://www.concept2.co.uk.)

I use a C2 rower as the main part of my almost daily workouts. If you have access to a good instructor and can get good information on heart rate monitoring, then the C2 will effectively help you all around.

It is capable of working all of the major muscle groups and give your heart and lungs a serious workout.

About a year ago I started using the C2 more seriously, I got clued up about heart rate training zones and at 42 I watched my weight stabilise, my body fat levels drop and my cloths started to fit more comfortably.

I am serious and passionate about the C2 and it forms a 60-90min per day workout which in total are part of my 12-15hr training week.

A year ago 140BPM heart rate seem high for me, now I can maintain a 160BPM for 60-90mins at a time and still have enough energy to raise it to within 5BPM of my maximum tested 205BPM.

All in all the C2 will give you results but be warned, to start with it is as boring as hell, your bum will get numb, your hamstrings will ache and you have to watch your energy intakes match what you expect to burn.. I would say my daily workouts aim to burn about 1000 calories per session, sometimes more, but for weight management this machine is more effective than any cross trainer, treadmill or cycle.

If you need anymore help on the C2 rower you are welcome to e-mail at directly at youcanfindme@ntlworld.com

but as I have already said the Concept " website and forum is helpful and very active.

I agree that Concept 2 is the way to go if you're looking for a rower. Just wanted to point out since you're in Canada, you'll probably want the US site at www.concept2.com (http://www.concept2.com) when it comes time to make a purchase.

An important, and difficult, aspect of choosing any piece of exercise equipment is what are you most likely to use on a consistent basis.

In this case, a good rowing machine will provide a more intense and much more challenging workout than an exercise bike. But, this is a moot point if you use the rower twice and then give up because you find it too hard to use, too boring, too uncomfortable, etc. I know, the criteria should ideally be what gives the best workout... but in reality this isn't the case.

The best thing to do it to try out a few different pieces of equipment and see if something "clicks". As mentioned, the Concept people arguably make one of the best rowing machines on the market.

Andrew

Thanks for all the feedback I will definatly check this stuff out before I buy!

I agree with that. This is not like a gym where you plunk down $20 to join and so if you don't go it's not like you are missing much. Home equipment will run you anywhere from $500 to several thousand dollars. Over time, it is well worth it, but if you forget about it in a month, it's a harder pill to swallow.