Junior Member

Posts: 14
From:New Providene Bahamas
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 04-24-2003 07:54 PM            

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Guys I was wondering, what machine should I invest in and why?

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Senior Member

Posts: 107
From:Canada
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 04-24-2003 10:10 PM            

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a trademill! I have a treadmill and it has helped me with losing 20 pounds! Its great for you to walk on it like 20 to 30 minutes a day it's cardio! Also maybe some weights for your arms and shoulders. But other than that just ur self with ad crunches.

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Senior Member

Posts: 187
From:Canada
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 04-25-2003 12:01 AM            

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I like the elliptical machine as I like to run and I find walking boring. I can not run anymore on the ground but find the elliptical machine has no impact. Just walking on the treadmill bothers my knee and low back. If I didn't have the problems with the slightest impact hurting me I would probably go with the treadmill as I feel I would be able to run more naturally on it and get a better work out. I would make sure it is one where you can go up hill or down hill and increase or decrease your speed.
bdb

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Junior Member

Posts: 17
From:american fork,utah,usa
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 04-25-2003 01:04 AM            

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I agree....both he treadmill and the elliptical are the best choices out there. Be careful when you buy and elliptical though......you almost have to spend a lot of money to get a good one. (Some of the cheaper ones dont move as smoothly, and they can make a workout difficult) Best of Luck!
Kris

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Senior Veteran

Posts: 505
From:
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 04-25-2003 10:33 AM            

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For cardio, the best piece of equipment is a swimming pool. The best forms of cardio are the ones that force you to use as much of your body as possible and swimming not only makes you use your legs and arms, but also your abs.

But since you can't just run out and buy a pool, the next best thing would be a treadmill. Not only are you using your legs, but you're also pumping your arms, you're not sitting on a seat like you would on a bike, and you'll even be using your abs if you run with proper form. If you're serious about a treadmill, make sure to get a good one. A cheap one won't last and can lead to back and knee problems. Also make sure to get a good pair of running shoes. Don't just go to any shoe store. Go to one that's meant for runners.

If you want to lift weights, free weights are the best way to go. The problem with most machines is they lock you into a plane of motion and do some of the work for you. Free weights are more effective since they force you to use your stabilizer muscles.

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Senior Member

Posts: 78
From: USA
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 04-25-2003 10:39 AM            

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Beware if you do buy an elliptical DO NOT buy one from Nordic Track. Ours was defective and they took 9 monthts to come out and fix it. Then we eventually had to stop payment on our credit card for the payment plan and send it back to them. They have horrible customer service and horrible elliptical machines.

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Junior Member

Posts: 14
From:New Providene Bahamas
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 04-25-2003 01:03 PM            

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Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I'll invest in a treadmill. Also, RE:swimming I'll make regular trips to the beach since I live in the Bahamas.

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Senior Veteran

Posts: 731
From:E. Stroudsburg, PA, USA
Registered: Jan 2002

posted 04-25-2003 01:20 PM            

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Hello, You might want to test different machines out to see which one you like first. There are electric treadmills and manual tredmills. I remember I bought a stair climber once and ended up trading it in for a recumbant bike, because the stair climber was too hard on my knees. Also there's a health rider, which you can add weights too to make it harder as you go along. You'll want to make sure that the machine you buy can adjust to different difficulties...For example: the treadmill should be able to adjust for different inclines, the bikes should have a tension knob on them to adjust to varying difficulties, etc. Another tip is to park the new exercise equipment in front of the TV. It's a good idea to make it part of the living room, so it becomes more temping to use.

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Magpie

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Senior Veteran

Posts: 505
From:
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 04-25-2003 01:31 PM            

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I kept my treadmill in the living room for a while. But then the room started to smell. Spraying air freshener just masks the odor, it doesn't get rid of it and you can't open the windows in the winter.

As for electric versus manual, I think an electric one is better because you set the speed and you're forced to keep up whereas with a manual one, you can cheat since you're the one providing the power. Also electric ones come with built-in programs and a heart rate monitor.

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Senior Veteran

Posts: 542
From:Las Vegas, NV
Registered: Jul 2001

posted 04-26-2003 03:15 AM            

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I have a Gazelle Freestyle and I really like it. It's very low impact!

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