Weight lose - What gym equipment?

[XDA]

I'm looking to lose a bit of weight and generally improve my fitness. I'm quiet self conscious so joining up to a gym/going out jogging or cycling is a big no no.

I'd like to buy some gym equipment to use at home, but I'm not sure what I should get? I've been thinking along the lines of treadmill, exercise bike, rowing machine or cross trainer.

I'm wanting to lose about 2-3 stone so which of the above would be most effective? Any pointers would be much appreciated.

Cheers.

[K87]

From what research I've done you're much better off joining a gym so you can really mix up the training.

That and diet is the key (so I'm told)!

[Lefty]

Try to get over the self conscious thing, honestly. Why are you self conscious? Is it because of your size or level of fitness? I often end up using a weight machine after a meathead and have to move the pin up quite a long way I really wouldn't worry about it if I were you.

Alternatively, join pure gym and go at quiet times.

[MacGee]

Join the gym..much more variety and so will inspire you to succeed. The home machines will get little use..usually!

[Mojooo]

I have lost a bit of weight recently - actually I have lost fat but also been building muscle at the same time.

I only do one type of carido session - thats 20 minutes high intensity on a cross trainer (would use treadmill but got dodgy knee).

The rest of the time I do weight lifting - I would recommend you add weights in and dont just rely on cardio.

Do some reading into why weightlifting can help you in thesituation you are in.

If you followed my plan you would need
a cardio machine of your choice
a barbell weightlifting bar
a bench and squat rack

[XDA]

I have been working on my diet as well, reducing portion sizes and trying to eat more healthily i.e. More food and less fatty foods. I think I need to combine this with some sort of exercise.

Lefty said:

Try to get over the self conscious thing, honestly. Why are you self conscious? Is it because of your size or level of fitness? I often end up using a weight machine after a meathead and have to move the pin up quite a long way I really wouldn't worry about it if I were you.

Alternatively, join pure gym and go at quiet times.

It's not my size that makes me self conscious, I'm not obese or anything, it's just that I'm a shy person and I'd feel that everyone's looking at me! Yes I know it's all in my head!!!

I did look at joining a gym, but given the cost and the contract, I see it as very expensive as I just wouldn't use the gym enough due to my job.

I wasnt going to purchase ALL of the items I mentioned, maybe just one but wanted the one that would be most beneficial.

Mojooo said:

I have lost a bit of weight recently - actually I have lost fat but also been building muscle at the same time.

I only do one type of carido session - thats 20 minutes high intensity on a cross trainer (would use treadmill but got dodgy knee).

The rest of the time I do weight lifting - I would recommend you add weights in and dont just rely on cardio.

Do some reading into why weightlifting can help you in thesituation you are in.

If you followed my plan you would need
a cardio machine of your choice
a barbell weightlifting bar
a bench and squat rack

I shall look into weight lifting then, cheers.

[Mojooo]

look at the ebook on stronglifts.com

provides a very good overview of why weight training can help in this situation - also provide a very good plan to follow - i have been amzaed at how i have progressed over the last few weeks.

it looks a bit like a sales website but the ebook is free.

[Ordinary_Chap]

Good luck XDA, I'd recommend everything said above.

I'd also recommend you educate yourself on diet. I've posted this many times but reading the Ultimate diet 2.0 will make you think very differently about diets and fat. If you google you'll find the download link although I'd recommend you purchase it if you find it useful to honor the author.

Good diet + Weights + Cardio will equal a huge difference.

[Animal]

XDA said:

It's not my size that makes me self conscious, I'm not obese or anything, it's just that I'm a shy person and I'd feel that everyone's looking at me! Yes I know it's all in my head!!!

I think most people feel a bit self-conscious when they first start going to the gym - I know I did. It wears off though...

[anonymous-user]

Good diet and free weights is the way to go if you want to do this at home.

[peternib]

I find lots of people will give advice but when you stop to look around how many of there bodies would you swap for? Ans probably none! i have been training constantly for 15 years now, and i find the above comments helpful, some factual and at least a little motivating... try and do this:

1. look into removing or replacing some of the bad "saturated fatty foods" from your diet. this will start weight loss immediately.
2. above some people have said join a gym, they are right as it means you must make the effort both mentally ans physically. Try three times a week, dont go too hard at the start..... take it easy
3. fitness like everything in life comes with effort and time, your body will trim off to if you stick at it.
4. go for compound moves with free weights, squats, bench press, press ups, lunges etc they use lots of major muscles in one exercise! great for muscle building and shaping.
5. Get a mentor or a partner who will not chat, but work with you and motivate each other... can be male or female..

Good luck

[Ordinary_Chap]

peternib said:

I find lots of people will give advice but when you stop to look around how many of there bodies would you swap for? Ans probably none!

You should stick around more, there's tons of folk in here that post with awesome bodies!!!!

Have you seen bales, goldblum etc?

[XDA]

Mojooo said:

look at the ebook on stronglifts.com

provides a very good overview of why weight training can help in this situation - also provide a very good plan to follow - i have been amzaed at how i have progressed over the last few weeks.

it looks a bit like a sales website but the ebook is free.

I shall look this up at the weekend!

Ordinary_Chap said:

Good luck XDA, I'd recommend everything said above.

I'd also recommend you educate yourself on diet. I've posted this many times but reading the Ultimate diet 2.0 will make you think very differently about diets and fat. If you google you'll find the download link although I'd recommend you purchase it if you find it useful to honor the author.

Good diet + Weights + Cardio will equal a huge difference.

Cheers mate, will look at this

Animal said:

XDA said:

It's not my size that makes me self conscious, I'm not obese or anything, it's just that I'm a shy person and I'd feel that everyone's looking at me! Yes I know it's all in my head!!!

I think most people feel a bit self-conscious when they first start going to the gym - I know I did. It wears off though...

You are probably correct, I need to MTFU!

garyhun said:

Good diet and free weights is the way to go if you want to do this at home.

Never considered weights. Will need to look into it.

peternib said:

I find lots of people will give advice but when you stop to look around how many of there bodies would you swap for? Ans probably none! i have been training constantly for 15 years now, and i find the above comments helpful, some factual and at least a little motivating... try and do this:

1. look into removing or replacing some of the bad "saturated fatty foods" from your diet. this will start weight loss immediately.
2. above some people have said join a gym, they are right as it means you must make the effort both mentally ans physically. Try three times a week, dont go too hard at the start..... take it easy
3. fitness like everything in life comes with effort and time, your body will trim off to if you stick at it.
4. go for compound moves with free weights, squats, bench press, press ups, lunges etc they use lots of major muscles in one exercise! great for muscle building and shaping.
5. Get a mentor or a partner who will not chat, but work with you and motivate each other... can be male or female..

Good luck

I have already started removing fatty saturated foods my diet.

I think joining a gym will be a struggle as I've looked into it already. My job tends to involve unexpected late finishes so I never know where I'll be working each day or what time I'll finish. I'd prefer to workout at home hence my original question about suitable equipment. I don't want to fork out £40 a month and hardly use the gym.

Does anyone know what one piece of fitness equipment would be best for home use?

[grumbledoak]

Diet is much more effective for weight loss. You wouldn't guess how much running you would need to work off even a Mars bar!

For exercise, pick one you like and go do it. Remember that muscle is heavier than fat, so judge more by the waistline than the scales.

Best of luck.

[Mojooo]

I have lost laods of fat over the past few weeks but I have gained muscle too - so my bodyweight hasnt actually changed.

According to the stats on the screen, yes you have to do a serious amount of carido to burn off a Mars bar - but there are other benefits to cardio - for one, you can feel really good after a hard session.

[Working class]

Diet is king! Mix of weights and moderate intensity cardio will see the pounds fall off. Have a look at the "lee's challenge pt2" thread, very inspirational.

[K87]

Mojooo said:

look at the ebook on stronglifts.com

provides a very good overview of why weight training can help in this situation - also provide a very good plan to follow - i have been amzaed at how i have progressed over the last few weeks.

it looks a bit like a sales website but the ebook is free.

How are you finding this? I had a read through on your recommendation as I was looking for a programme to compliment my weight loss and running training.

Did the first session last night and it felt good, first time I've ever really done free weights. Only started with 5kg on each side which was enough, felt a little embarrassing with all the hardcores goers around me!

[peternib]

Ordinary_Chap said:

peternib said:

I find lots of people will give advice but when you stop to look around how many of there bodies would you swap for? Ans probably none!

You should stick around more, there's tons of folk in here that post with awesome bodies!!!!

Have you seen bales, goldblum etc?

Nope havent seen them! and pretty sure even if i did i wouldn't trade

XDA, Back to the question in matter, your idea of only X a CV machine is common enough, however, i feel that to really get your body moving free weight movements are best. Maybe if money is not an issue an X trainer or Rowing is a great all over warm up, but they also really burn into any muscle your currently building.... its a tough cycle! Id suggest a rack that allows you to load a few plates on for good old fashioned squats, lunges, bench press, bent over rowing, if the rack is well designed (it can be low cost and simple) you may even be able to lie below it and use it to do "pull press" or what some people call lieing pull ups.... you dont have to spend eternity at it either, aim for the magic 25reps/exercise either say 3 x 8 reps.... or 5 x 5reps..... this type of formet works for many trainers!

My reasons for the above are, CV work is great for the bodies efficieny ie, heart and lungs etc, but it doesnt do much for muscle development, or shape, and it will only raise your base metabolistic rate temporarily.... if you start with the above, you will slowly raise your muscle profile as major muscles are all worked (three times a week is plenty as you will need to rest) and as the muscle recovers and builds a little it raises the bodies metabolism. this is turn means if your eating a good diet (diet as ordinary_chap correctly says is so important) supplying the muscle with plenty of regular fuel for recovery. You will in time begin to burn your fat stores quite efficiently!

well performed free weights are hard to beat for results! I wish you the best of luck!

PS, make sure you train carefully with good technique if you do choose weights on a rack of some form!

[XDA]

peternib said:

Nope havent seen them! and pretty sure even if i did i wouldn't trade

XDA, Back to the question in matter, your idea of only X a CV machine is common enough, however, i feel that to really get your body moving free weight movements are best. Maybe if money is not an issue an X trainer or Rowing is a great all over warm up, but they also really burn into any muscle your currently building.... its a tough cycle! Id suggest a rack that allows you to load a few plates on for good old fashioned squats, lunges, bench press, bent over rowing, if the rack is well designed (it can be low cost and simple) you may even be able to lie below it and use it to do "pull press" or what some people call lieing pull ups.... you dont have to spend eternity at it either, aim for the magic 25reps/exercise either say 3 x 8 reps.... or 5 x 5reps..... this type of formet works for many trainers!

My reasons for the above are, CV work is great for the bodies efficieny ie, heart and lungs etc, but it doesnt do much for muscle development, or shape, and it will only raise your base metabolistic rate temporarily.... if you start with the above, you will slowly raise your muscle profile as major muscles are all worked (three times a week is plenty as you will need to rest) and as the muscle recovers and builds a little it raises the bodies metabolism. this is turn means if your eating a good diet (diet as ordinary_chap correctly says is so important) supplying the muscle with plenty of regular fuel for recovery. You will in time begin to burn your fat stores quite efficiently!

well performed free weights are hard to beat for results! I wish you the best of luck!

PS, make sure you train carefully with good technique if you do choose weights on a rack of some form!

Seems weights are the way forward then!

Thanks mate, will look into this at the weekend

[Mojooo]

K87 said:

How are you finding this? I had a read through on your recommendation as I was looking for a programme to compliment my weight loss and running training.

Did the first session last night and it felt good, first time I've ever really done free weights. Only started with 5kg on each side which was enough, felt a little embarrassing with all the hardcores goers around me!

I am on week 5 now.

I remember when I squatted with 10kg on each side and found it difficult (without the heavy olympic bar though) - I am now hitting near on 80 which is more than my bodyweight). Progress has been good and by week 8 or 9 I will probably struggle to progress any further.

Just spend the time with ligt weights getting your form perfect. watch some videos/books online by Mark Rippetoe as he goes into quite a lot of detail on how to do most of the exercises properly.

I have noticed a lot of flab lost and muscle build up in my chest and leg areas. I do cardio 2-3 times a week too after the SL session.