Home exercise equipment advice

[Davel]

Right – Help please
I’m fifty nine this year, about 15 ½ stone, so overweight but reasonably fit. I try to do a three-mile walk about five times a week. Oh and Type 2 Diabetic.
I get bored stless whilst the wife and kids watch TV or play their computer games etc, so wander round pretty aimlessly on these cold and dark night whilst looking for something to do, so I’m often found to be nibbling at something that I shouldn’t – so
We have a stable block which houses my TVR, a ping pong table and a pool table and I’m thinking of putting some kit in there so that I can work out whilst everyone else goes about their usual evening stuff.
I’m thinking more Cardio Vascular general fitness stuff than actual weight training, so which pieces of kit would be really useful to have please?
I do have a mountain bike and a forest nearby, but generally lack motivation in the current weather conditions.
Any advice please?

[pilchardthecat]

Davel said:

Right – Help please
I’m fifty nine this year, about 15 ½ stone, so overweight but reasonably fit. I try to do a three-mile walk about five times a week. Oh and Type 2 Diabetic.
I get bored stless whilst the wife and kids watch TV or play their computer games etc, so wander round pretty aimlessly on these cold and dark night whilst looking for something to do, so I’m often found to be nibbling at something that I shouldn’t – so
We have a stable block which houses my TVR, a ping pong table and a pool table and I’m thinking of putting some kit in there so that I can work out whilst everyone else goes about their usual evening stuff.
I’m thinking more Cardio Vascular general fitness stuff than actual weight training, so which pieces of kit would be really useful to have please?
I do have a mountain bike and a forest nearby, but generally lack motivation in the current weather conditions.
Any advice please?

Cardio = Concept 2 rowing machine. The only piece of cardio equipment worth having in my opinion.

[BenM77]

Concept 2 rowing machine

A good running machine with auto incline etc. You don't have to run straight away, a decent pace on full incline is a great start.

Maybe a turbo trainer for your mountain bike ?

Kettlebell

[Hoofy]

Recumbent gym bike. You can catch up on reading while pedaling away.

[mattikake]

Punchbag and a wooden dummy. Learn a martial art.

[Hoofy]

mattikake said:

Punchbag and a wooden dummy. Learn a martial art.

Actually, he's right. I was just thinking of convenience and something that the average person might use in the long run.

[Davel]

mattikake said:

Punchbag and a wooden dummy. Learn a martial art.

On me own?

[mattikake]

Totally. Wooden dummies are designed exactly for training by yourself.

There are martial arts instructors that do visiting private sessions just like personal trainers too, you know. Me and my old Sifu were talking about trading my PT sessions for his personal Wing Chun sessions. Costs about the same. I moved town before it could happen though.

Why not have a good hobby than just a fitness goal and hammering away on a punch bag, fist or foot, will seriously test your CV fitness, especially if an instructor was there to push you.

[evo4a]

I have a concept 2 rower, it's the nuts, however it can get a bit repetitive so I bought a treadmill as well and alternate between the two.
Also have
pull up bar
dip bars
Medicine ball
Dumbells
bench press
matt

thats plenty.

[LostBMW]

What's your budget and how much space (floor area and ceiling height) do you have?

[Wacky Racer]

mattikake said:

Punchbag and a wooden dummy. Learn a martial art.

Ah so.

[Driller]

LostBMW said:

What's your budget and how much space (floor area and ceiling height) do you have?

That's a very good point.

I reckon a half decent cross-trainer would be best. Easier (if necessary) than running or rowing and not boring as a bike would be (IMO!).

[Davel]

No fixed budget and loads of height.

[LostBMW]

Davel said:

No fixed budget and loads of height.

In that case and as I'm probably a bit left field(!) on these things nowadays I'd:

mat the walls and the floor - far more comfortable to do bodyweight exercises etc. on a nicely matted floor

buy a variety of medicine balls, say 3 Kg, 5Kg and 10Kg (for throwing, slamming etc. loads of things you can do with them)

a heavy bag - ceiling or wall mounted if possible but if you have loads of space and height a stand (with or without a speedbag platform, or have one wall mounted if you can run to it)

and a set of resistance bands or cables.

Money and space no issue than I'd also think about a rower like others have said.


It would give you variety, should hold interest and would be enough to help get really fit and lose any weight you want to get rid of.

[Davel]

Driller said:

I reckon a half decent cross-trainer would be best. Easier (if necessary) than running or rowing and not boring as a bike would be (IMO!).

There's lots on ebay - any particular type?

[Driller]

Well as I said a while ago (and it didn't seem to go down to well), I think you have to spend around a grand to get something solid enough and satisfying enough to use. But it will give you great results and be enjoyable to use which is really important! As ever you can easily spend more.

Look at Horizon and Vision Fitness for some good ones and if you want the bees knees Octane Fitness.

[didelydoo]

Punch bag and a big kettlebell.

[Driller]

These two are pretty good and a bit cheaper too. Do go in and try them though, the feel of each machine is a very personal thing.

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/standard_ellip...

http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/standard_ellip...

[Liokault]

didelydoo said:

Punch bag and a big kettlebell.

This.

[Davel]

Reebok Cross-trainer bought and spent about two hours building it.

Anyway, tried it out over the weekend and didn't realise how unfit much of me must be.

The three mile walks are a doddle but this bloody thing is evil.

Legs and arms are fine but now have back ache!