Rowing machine or an Elliptical/Cross trainer
Discussion
Having read Patrick's thread for exercise bikes, I'm going to put this here, as I feel the same way. Also leaving the house at 7am and not returning til 7pm, carrying bag & laptop already doens't leave me the inclination to leave the house again or carry a further bag IF I found time to go to the gym - and if I did it would be for yoga.
I NEED to tone upper arms, tummy and legs (thighs).
I have a budget of max £300
Would you suggest that I will get better results with a rowing machine or an elliptical/cross trainer?
Many thanks
Patrick Bateman said:
I have no interest or desire to cycle on the road/outside, dislike cold/wet weather and I don't have a great deal of drive, hence I never considered it. Even if I did want to do that, I'd be far more likely to give up compared to having the option to do it indoors while watching the TV.
And I'm fully aware that this will become Patrick Bateman said:
like when someone asks for suggestions for a small, economical hatchback and 300bhp/ton comes along and suggests a Pontiac Firebird. 
With this in mind, I beg for assistance from the great PH hive mind please I NEED to tone upper arms, tummy and legs (thighs).
I have a budget of max £300
Would you suggest that I will get better results with a rowing machine or an elliptical/cross trainer?
Many thanks
I agree with the above, I have recently bought a Concept 2 rower model C, which you should be able to get for £300 (I paid £285 from a guy that had owned from new). With the added bonus that if you don't like it you could sell it for what you paid.
Unfortunately I do not have any experice with the eliptical trainers.
Another option would be something like a Concept 2 Skierg which you may not have considered (I'm currently on the look out for a second hand one myself with a similar budget to yourself). Again I haven't tried one, but have read very good reviews & they take up very little space if just bolted to the wall.
Unfortunately I do not have any experice with the eliptical trainers.
Another option would be something like a Concept 2 Skierg which you may not have considered (I'm currently on the look out for a second hand one myself with a similar budget to yourself). Again I haven't tried one, but have read very good reviews & they take up very little space if just bolted to the wall.
Concept is a awesome machine, you can give yourself a real workout on one or just take it more easier. Make sure your technique is correct when using it. Cross trainer would be better if you have a suspected weak lower back and again can be a leisurely workout or a hard one..
My choice if I had to choose would be the cross trainer, but a good quality one. I have a Life Fitness one. Will add a Concept soon though, meant to do it a year ago.
My choice if I had to choose would be the cross trainer, but a good quality one. I have a Life Fitness one. Will add a Concept soon though, meant to do it a year ago.
Concept 2 all the way.
They may be expensive but they are true commercial grade machines (commercial running machines, bikes and cross trainers are usually thousands rather than £850 for a new Concept 2). You can always sell it for what you paid for it.
Cross trainers are rubbish. I can't find it now but there was a very full test on equipment recently which put cross trainers firmly last. People like them because they are easy which isn't the point.
Concept 2 or Waterower are generally the best but Infinity Rowers get good reviews but I haven't tried them.
This looks ok but for the money I would still rather get a second hand Model C Concept 2
http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-infini...
They may be expensive but they are true commercial grade machines (commercial running machines, bikes and cross trainers are usually thousands rather than £850 for a new Concept 2). You can always sell it for what you paid for it.
Cross trainers are rubbish. I can't find it now but there was a very full test on equipment recently which put cross trainers firmly last. People like them because they are easy which isn't the point.
Concept 2 or Waterower are generally the best but Infinity Rowers get good reviews but I haven't tried them.
This looks ok but for the money I would still rather get a second hand Model C Concept 2
http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-infini...
Davey S2 said:
Concept 2 all the way.
They may be expensive but they are true commercial grade machines (commercial running machines, bikes and cross trainers are usually thousands rather than £850 for a new Concept 2). You can always sell it for what you paid for it.
Cross trainers are rubbish. I can't find it now but there was a very full test on equipment recently which put cross trainers firmly last. People like them because they are easy which isn't the point.
Concept 2 or Waterower are generally the best but Infinity Rowers get good reviews but I haven't tried them.
This looks ok but for the money I would still rather get a second hand Model C Concept 2
http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-infini...
I agree the Concept is a awesome exercise machine, but, no way is the cross trainer a rubbish machine. The problem is if you can't stretch the finances to a good one, I have a Life fitness cross trainer which cost 3.5k 7 year back. Its kept me in great shape, granted my diet is very strict which contributes. Trust me, if you know how to use one in its high intensity setting ( level 25 ) it really works ones buttocks, legs and upper body.They may be expensive but they are true commercial grade machines (commercial running machines, bikes and cross trainers are usually thousands rather than £850 for a new Concept 2). You can always sell it for what you paid for it.
Cross trainers are rubbish. I can't find it now but there was a very full test on equipment recently which put cross trainers firmly last. People like them because they are easy which isn't the point.
Concept 2 or Waterower are generally the best but Infinity Rowers get good reviews but I haven't tried them.
This looks ok but for the money I would still rather get a second hand Model C Concept 2
http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-infini...
Having said the above, you can keep yourself in good shape with no equipment, if you know what your doing.
Davey S2 said:
Cross trainers are rubbish. I can't find it now but there was a very full test on equipment recently which put cross trainers firmly last. People like them because they are easy which isn't the point.
i disagree they work for a lot of people, i keep my HR between 150-160 for an hour, isn't easy. i use programs and increase resistance, but like all new exercises will take 6 months to see proper results.Willy Nilly said:
Which ever one had the most handles and rails for hanging clothes on, that's what it will end up as.
Rowers are s
te in that respect. My recumbent exercise bike has a display, 2 hands and a back support. It'd make a great device for drying clothes - if only I didn't use it to exercise so much...The Spruce goose said:
Davey S2 said:
Cross trainers are rubbish. I can't find it now but there was a very full test on equipment recently which put cross trainers firmly last. People like them because they are easy which isn't the point.
i disagree they work for a lot of people, i keep my HR between 150-160 for an hour, isn't easy. i use programs and increase resistance, but like all new exercises will take 6 months to see proper results.NoVetec said:
The Spruce goose said:
Davey S2 said:
Cross trainers are rubbish. I can't find it now but there was a very full test on equipment recently which put cross trainers firmly last. People like them because they are easy which isn't the point.
i disagree they work for a lot of people, i keep my HR between 150-160 for an hour, isn't easy. i use programs and increase resistance, but like all new exercises will take 6 months to see proper results.
I'm sure I posted on here last night...ali_kat said:
With this in mind, I beg for assistance from the great PH hive mind please
I NEED to tone upper arms, tummy and legs (thighs).
I have a budget of max £300
Would you suggest that I will get better results with a rowing machine or an elliptical/cross trainer?
Many thanks
I'd say go for a rower: either a C2 rower, or one of Davey S2's other suggestions (C2s are more common in the wild). For sure a cross-trainer is definitely better than nothing, but the C2 rower as others have said is a gold-standard piece of kit. Whole-body exercise, non weight-loaded movement (kind to joints), it'll last for many years even an old one, and they're simple & cheap to service & repair (unlike cross-trainers which can be a fiddle, with spares apparently being an issue). It will grow with your fitness in a way I'd think a cross-trainer can't: C2 rowers are used by top 'on-water' rowers including Olympians year-round, and allow massive scope for different types of training sessions from easy paddles to maximal sprints.I NEED to tone upper arms, tummy and legs (thighs).
I have a budget of max £300
Would you suggest that I will get better results with a rowing machine or an elliptical/cross trainer?
Many thanks
I've used the C2 rower as pretty much my sole cardio for well over 4 years, hugely improving endurance and remaining injury-free. When it's done with good form, rowing trains the posterior chain in a way most other cardio can't. This is important for people who spend a lot of time sitting, as it can help to correct tight, kyphotic 'hunched' posture by fully engaging the musculature of the hips and back. More there's a vibrant online community and logbook facility with the C2 which I've found invaluable. Because it's a proper ergometer (empirically measures wattage to a very good level of accuracy) it means you can definitively compare sessions over time or even over different machines (this is what allows the barking mad sport of 'indoor rowing' to take place).
If you do get a rower it's well worth taking the time to learn safe technique. Don't expect to get sweaty until you have the movement down, and ask the C2 forums for advice on form so you don't end up being inefficient or injured:
http://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/training/tec...
Willy Nilly said:
Which ever one had the most handles and rails for hanging clothes on, that's what it will end up as.
only if you not interested in getting fit. I bought a Kettler eliptical trainer just over 2 years ago and have covered nearly 2000kms. Fantastic decision and much, much better than any smelly, expensive 'fitness' center membership, which nearly a;ways end up not being used while the monthy DD is still coming out of your bank account.Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff