Ask the readers: Does home exercise equipment make it easier to work out?
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I’m about to break a deal. And I hate breaking deals.
In preparation for the coming months of gloom in the Pacific Northwest, I have been seriously considering whether or not to start looking for some kind of home exercise equipment. My problem is I have made a deal with myself that basically goes like this:
I won’t buy exercise equipment until I can demonstrate that I can exercise regularly without it. If I can’t get myself to work out without equipment, buying equipment is just throwing money at a problem.
But, I’ve recently considered this deal from another angle: What if it is easier to exercise because the equipment makes it more enjoyable? I think it is a valid possibility, particularly in a place like the Pacific Northwest, where inclement weather can be a convenient excuse to skip a workout.
Believe me, it is convenient. Easy, even.
I read on some of my favorite blogs, like Andrew is Getting Fit, and John Is Fit, that a lot of folks are able to beat the weather on a treadmill. I also had a friend in High School who successfully lost weight (and kept it off) using a home treadmill and meal replacement shakes. While I’m definitely avoiding the shakes myself, I will say that the idea of a treadmill or similar cardio device is enticing. But is it just the multi-million dollar marketing campaigns making inroads into my mental inner sanctum? Has the Olympics spun my brain? Am I now simply revolving in a Phelpsian inspirational dreamland (thanks Chris for pointing me to my word of the day)?
Or really, am I just trying to justify buying a Nintendo Wii??? 
Time to make the donuts
I’ve been in a bit of a funk for much of August, which has meant that exercise over the last few weeks has been sporadic at best. With several road trips and the rigors of stepping out into the world of business on my own, I’ve found that it is all too easy to find excuses for not going out for a run. What’s worse is I’ve also lost focus on the importance of exercise as part of my daily routine from a work perspective. I need to get the focus back.
On a functional level, I think that this month the biggest challenges for me have been lack of sleep and a loose daily schedule. If I can get my sleep habits under control, and tighten down the bolts on how I’m spending my time throughout the week, I think I can get the ship sailing again.
I was doing pretty well on the 100 pushup challenge, but with all of the summer activities, trips, and so forth, I let it slip. In fact, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve started and stopped the challenge; I’m still going to restart from where I left off, yet again, this week.
I’ve also discovered that having two children out of school has really made the prospect of regular exercise tricky. In the past, when we only had one child, it was much easier to find a way to get out for a run. For example, when our oldest was only a year old, we could escape for an hour or two and get in some exercise by leaving him with his grandparents. We ran 6 miles around Greenlake in Seattle (twice around the lake), for example, and loved it. But with two, it’s much more of a challenge. We are hopeful that once preschool resumes next week that we’ll be able to start running together again (one child is much easier to manage on a run than two), but with the impending fall and winter weather of Portland, I am trying to look ahead with a little wisdom on how I seem to operate.
I am also considering checking out local gyms, but as I’ve mentioned in the past, I’m not really into the whole “gym social” thing. I don’t want to meet people during and between exercise; I really just want to get fit, and doing so at home seems more my speed. But I could be wrong about that too.
Is that a Bowflex in your closet?
In the past, I’ve owned equipment that got used for a month or two, only to be relegated to the pile-o-thrown away money after I got bored with it. Here is a short list of equipment that I’ve owned:
- Stationary bicycle (the old kind, with the moving handle bars) (sucked, but worked)
- Weight benches (several over the years) (gave me a false sense of progress…”you gotta eat if you want bulk!” — bad move for me)
- Rowing machine (sucked big time)
- Stair stepper (cheaper one, blew chunks)
- Treadmill (Actually my parents owned this – I used it when I lived at home – this one I liked)
- Exercise videos (I list this since it actually worked for a while in a home setting. What made me move on? Sad to say, the follow-up edition of this particular exercise series involved the instructor letting down his ponytail and doing the routines with BIG hair. That, for some reason, made the video unwatchable.)
These days, I’m much more reluctant to throw money at the exercise question.
So what is your opinion? Does home exercise equipment make it easier to stick to an exercise routine? And if so, what equipment is your favorite?
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I have an elliptical at home that I use, but I have always preferred the treadmill. The elliptical is less BANG BANG BANGy on my downstairs neighbors though, so it wins. That, and with my knee, it turned out to be a better buy regardless.
The biggest problem with home exercise equipment is honestly buy-in. If you go to the gym, you’ve already made the time commitment to go. you’re going to stay until you’re done.
At home, however, it’s a frillion times easier to slack off and stop early. So many small things. Maybe checking email, maybe getting some cooking done, maybe a tv show coming on.
You have to be a LOT stricter with yourself when you have home equipment.
If you have the space, sometimes making a workout “room” helps, because you can disassociate yourself with distractions that might make you stop.
I don’t have that space, so my elliptical is by my computer and my workout dvds are in the living room.
It’s 100% about you, and whether or not you can force yourself to stick with it. If you can, it’s an incredible investment and will save you a ton of time. If not, it’s wasted money. =]
The Dieting Ninjas last blog post..Leftovers – the Unloved Scapegoat of the Culinary World
I have a treadmill and it is indispensable due to our wicked winters. I would prefer an elliptical because it is easier on my joints. No matter what equipment you get you have to make sure it feels good for you. You will have it for a long time. Getting any good money back on resale is out of the question. I found that out. I wanted to sell the treadmill and get an elliptical and forget it. I paid 2,000 dollars for the treadmill and could get maybe only 300 dollars for it. It is in perfect shape. I am stuck with it but that is O.K. cause I don’t hate it either. Free weights are nice to have too.
It is harder to discipline yourself to using the equipment at home as opposed to the gym. I would rather go to the gym but do not have easy access to one right now. You need convenient access or you will make up excuses to avoid going. At least I do. Going to the gym was never a social event for me. I went there and did my thing. I may have smiled or nodded to people but that was the extent of my communications. Most people are the same at the gym. Getting a trainer at the gym is a very good thing to do. Mine kept me on track and kept me from going to hard to fast and kept me from slacking as well. He used to come by and occasionally turn the speed up on my treadmill. He taught me how to use the equipment properly and set a routine up for me complete with clipboard and I had to check everything off and hand it in.
Anyway…I have found that if I won’t go do my exercise outside by bike riding or walking or what ever, I won’t discipline myself to go and workout on the treadmill either yet it is there for me at the times I do manage to get my act together. I have managed to put quite a few miles on the thing. It works best if I set aside a time when I go and work out. This is my time and I won’t take a phone call ar anything. One hour a day is not to much to give yourself. Put a do not disturbe sign up if you can.
Christines last blog post..Homeward Bound
I can’t jog or run because of the impact. I’ve had this problem since my son was born. I use the Needak Rebounder. It’s like a mini trampoline that is no impact on my bones or body. It is a great fitness tool for me and offers overall health benefits like detox, better circulation, etc. I use this everyday from 5 – 15 minutes at a time 5 to 10 times a day. It’s fun and a really good work out – it’s not as easy as it looks. I did a post about it here; http://realnutritionsupplement.blogspot.com/2008/08/jump-5-minutes-day-for-summer-fitness.html
SO yes having the Rebounder is a great way for me to workout in the frozen tundra of Minnesota.
Robin
We bought a treadmill recently, and I think it is worth it to use it – when we DO use it. In the summer quite honestly it mostly just sits there gathering dust – but in the winter here in Minnesota it becomes quite a bit more useful.
I have free weights, a stability ball, resistance bands and about 15 exercise DVDs. However, nowadays I never buy a new DVD without trying it out from Netflix first. That way I know my purchase is a good one.
I would love, love, LOVE to have a treadmill at home, but I currently don’t have a great place to put it and I want a really nice like commercial-quality one. And those run in the $1,000s — OUCH!
The stuff I have at home I do use, and it works for me. As long as you can see yourself using it for the long haul, I think you’re good. (And obviously avoid all the fad trendy type products.)
Fit Bottomed Girlss last blog post..FitLit: Skinny Bitch in the Kitch
We had a treadmill and a stationary bike, and used them sporadically, but recently purchased a Needak rebounder, and love it. It only takes a few minutes, and is great for all ages. It would be something your kids could enjoy to their great benefit, and since such a short amount of time is required for benefit, it is an excellent investment of your exercise dollars. It is MUCH cheaper than a gym membership, or most home exercise equipment and it takes up far less space. You can even get a foldable model that stores under the bed when you need the space for company or something.
The health benefits (detoxification, ease on the joints, building bone density, etc.) are amazing, and it can be used by people of all ages and health statuses. So, if you are going to invest, this might be a fun alternative to the space hogging, time consuming alternatives. Not that I’m biased…
tm
orneryswifes last blog post..Good Life
I don\’t have a treadmill at home (space! and my husband prefers the gym) but that\’s I\’d choose if I had anything. For one thing, it\’s what I gravitate to at the gym if I want cardio but can\’t be bothered to think about form, balance, etc. Secondly, it\’s the easiest machine to read on — if prop a magazine up on the shelf and crank my iPod, sensory overload allows me to ignore the fact that I am walking in place with sweaty people, and the time FLIES, comparatively. I do have an exercise ball and free weights at home. That equipment isn\’t getting used much at the moment because I\’m working it at the gym with a trainer, but soon I\’ll be on my own and have to find the discipline somewhere. If it\’s been awhile since you\’ve been to a gym, I\’d suggest finding a way to spend a little time in one and see what machine you default to. That\’s probably your best choice for home use. Also, I\’d make sure to get something that will challenge you for awhile — a treadmill with a good incline setting or whatnot.
All – Thank you Thank you for such excellent advice. This has really energized me, and is one of the best aspects of writing. I really appreciate your thoughts – it makes it all worthwhile.
@Dieting Ninja: Thanks for the frank advice. And I just added “frillion” to my word list. That is a new one.
I am not sure where I would put the equipment, but we definitely don’t have a separate room for it. I’ve got to think about that one….
@Christine: Hi Christine – Sage advice as always. I kind of feel the same I think when it comes to the idea that if you can’t discipline yourself enough to go out and exercise, you won’t have much luck staying home and doing it either. But I think I’m approaching the commitment level required. I have thought about a trainer, but I dunno – I might just be making excuses, but I’m not really “up” for it right now. I’m also thinking about doing another charity race event. At any rate, I think your advice on scheduling is spot on, and mirrors some of the comments from others in my post on lack of sleep. I think this is one of those “secrets” that really works for more people than I realize. Thank you as always, and good to hear from ya!
@Robin and @orneryswife: Hi to both of you! You know I think Robin has described the Needak Rebounder to me before. It sounds like it gets glowing endorsements from everyone who uses it – I’ll have to check it out. Also – Robin – Thank you for the kind words of encouragement you’ve sent in email. I’ll respond here shortly. I really do appreciate it.
@Pete and @FBG: The treadmill is my first inclination from a cardio perspective, but like FBG says, the cost is the one prohibitive factor for me I think. I want one that I can run on, and generally the ones I’ve looked at in the lower price range all say walk-only. That said, I am a Craigslist junkie, so I may be able to find a good one used if that is the route I take. And FBG: I LOVE the idea of Netflix’ing those videos. We do Netflix too, so I am Definitely going to give that a shot.
@Sparrow: Hi there Sparrow! I think you might be onto something there, with spending a little time in the gym to figure this out. And who knows, maybe I’ll start to enjoy the gym atmosphere a little more and just “get over myself”.
And you know Erin and I review a bunch of them, so if you need suggestions or want us to test drive one before you invest your time, do let us know.
(contact@fitbottomedgirls.com)
Fit Bottomed Girlss last blog post..Fast-Food Kids, Olympic Vids and a Weight-Loss Bid
I know myself well enough to know that I won’t use a gym membership. Maybe if it was actually at work, but not if I have to go somewhere to use it. I’m picky about the temperatures I’m willing to run in, so exercising indoors gets much better results. I got my elliptical used (thirdhand) off Craigslist. I wound up having to replace a belt which doubled my cost, but it was still much much cheaper than buying new and it works great otherwise. I don’t have much space, so it sits in my living room. I usually watch TV while I’m working out. It’s a nice distraction to make the time go faster.
Anyway, if you’re motivated to use it, home exercise equipment is great, and I find that I make fewer excuses for working out at home than if I had to leave to do it.
@FBG: I didn’t realize that you guys review them…I sense a guest post coming on…I will email ya
@Ashley: It sounds like we have a similar outlook, currently. I’ve had a gym membership in the past, and in the end it turned into a 2-year bill that I couldn’t get out of, but almost never used. When I was using the stationary bicycle, I did the same, and the time really did fly. That is kind of what I’m wanting out of home equipment if I go that route. Thank you for your thoughts!
Metroknows last blog post..Photos of What We Eat #9, Seattle edition: Indian food and the Seattle skyline
I looooove having my Bowflex and treadmill here at home. That way, when I go through my bad “streaks” of not exercising (everyone goes through those), I don’t have to keep paying for the gym membership I’m not using. I always get back into it eventually (usually after an especially busy time in my life lets up a little), and then everything I need is right here. I don’t have to wake up the kids or worry about where they’ll go, I just get up early, and have at it while they sleep upstairs. Like another commenter said, you have to be disciplined, but you do no matter what you’re doing, and the convenience can’t be beat.
Kelly the Kitchen Kops last blog post..Is Pasture Raised Chicken the Healthiest Chicken Choice?
We tried converting our family room into a gym. We donated all the furniture to a shelter and bought a universal machine with all the attachments, some free weights, a treadmill, and a stair climber. We kept it that way for a year. It was kind of tough because that was where our TV was- so if you wanted to watch TV you had to sit on one of the exercise contraptions. Like I said, it lasted a year and I have to say that it was an interesting experiment but I wouldn’t repeat it. Even though it was convenient we didn’t really use it all that much. Having a gym membership works so much better for us. I’m at the gym six days a week and we have our home theater back. Even here in the Pacific NW with all the rain and gloom, I’d rather bike on over to the gym than move the ironing off the exercise machine.
Steve v4.7s last blog post..(Day 462 / -154 lbs.) It’s Not A Tool Kit, It’s An Arsenal
Thursday resources: Health and Fitness Finds for 28 August, 2008 | AlmostFit.com Says: 28.08.08 at 10:07 am
[...] what a little sleep will doJoseph Hunkins on A taste of France on the Oregon CoastSteve v4.7 on Ask the readers: Does home exercise equipment make it easier to work out?Katy on Photos of What We Eat #9, Seattle edition: Indian food and the Seattle skylineKelly the [...]
Two years ago I spent 3 months running and lost a vast amount of weight but when winter set in running was just too unpleasant outside so I used an exercise bike at home. I really found it useful and found that being able to just jump on first thing in the morning rather than having to get all my gear together, go down to where I normally run, avoid dog walkers, avoid rainy days and so on meant I actually exercised more. Exercising outside can be great fun but there are so many things that can get in the way of a good exercise session, I would advise anyone to consider getting some basic bits of home worjout equipment.
Rid Of Man Boobss last blog post..Diet To Get Rid Of Man Boobs
I love to workout at home. I have a bike, elliptical and some weights and train 3 to 4 times a week. Some say you need more discipline to train at home but for me its the other way around. I just take a couple of stairs and I can train. No need to go in my car trough traffic.
Peter | Workout Equipments last blog post..Heart Rate Monitor Wrist Watch By Timex | The Unisex Pulse Monitor For Every Exercise
I have a treadmill one, and I think it is worth it to use it – i bought last 2 years..