Thinking of buying a multi gym and I'm 50!

[bernhund]

I've got a bee in my bonnet at the moment about a multi gym. I don't want to spend much as it might well be a flash in the pan! I'm 50 years old, 6ft 1 and just about 12 stone. I've spent most of my life at about 11 stone, eat for England and do a physical job. Recently a little belly has appeared and I don't like it!!! I'd like to try to get a bit of shape, but I'm not talking serious working out.
Now, there are complications. I was in a bad car crash 11 years ago and I'm full of screws and plates and will need a new hip at some point. My left leg is thinner than my right, as I was told not to build muscle because it makes the hip replacement more tricky. Well I've had enough of one skinny leg and think a bit of muscle will actually support the hip better. After all, I was told it would be arthritic within a year of the crash and I'd be automatically on the 'replacement' list. 11 years on and it's just the same.
So, I've seen this on Ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Home-Multi-Gym-Station-B... and would like to know what you lot think of these cheap gyms. I'm not coughing up £500+ because I might just get bored within a few months, but my wife and daughter would probably use it too so I don't want rubbish.
I'm sure some of you might suggest other types of exercise so I should also let you know that running is not allowed or anything that impacts on the hip. Though I'd love to swim, time is always tight for me so something at home makes sense.
Your thought would be appreciated.

[laam999]

If you're not sure how long you'll keep at it try to keep to a bodyweight routine for a month beofre forking out the cash.
Do something like
50 squats, 50 push ups, 50 pull up/chin ups, 50 sit ups, 50 pylo press up.

Do that every other day for a month and then if you're sticking to it but a weight bench that has a lat pulldown attachment and some weights. You'll spend less and be able to do a lot more.
That's my 2p

[mcelliott]

50 pull ups every other day? Not in a million years, he's a newbie.

[bernhund]

mcelliott said:

50 pull ups every other day? Not in a million years, he's a newbie.

One handed or two?

[bernhund]

laam999 said:

If you're not sure how long you'll keep at it try to keep to a bodyweight routine for a month beofre forking out the cash.
Do something like
50 squats, 50 push ups, 50 pull up/chin ups, 50 sit ups, 50 pylo press up.

Do that every other day for a month and then if you're sticking to it but a weight bench that has a lat pulldown attachment and some weights. You'll spend less and be able to do a lot more.
That's my 2p

This makes sense, even if I can't do 50 of each.

[chris watton]

OP, I would forget about that multi-gym, and with the same budget buy a half-cage (for Squats and Bench press), and simple bench and a bar and weight plate set. Free weights is one of the best ways to add a little muscle and burn the fat at the same time.

I was in the same position as you just over three years' ago, I am now 50 and my lifestyle has changed completely, and I am loving it. here is my original thread, from when I first started:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[bernhund]

chris watton said:

OP, I would forget about that multi-gym, and with the same budget buy a half-cage (for Squats and Bench press), and simple bench and a bar and weight plate set. Free weights is one of the best ways to add a little muscle and burn the fat at the same time.

I was in the same position as you just over three years' ago, I am now 50 and my lifestyle has changed completely, and I am loving it. here is my original thread, from when I first started:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Thanks for that Chris. I'll have a good read through over the weekend!

Are free weights easy/safe etc. for training on your own? I guess I'm never going to be aiming at huge weights.

[chris watton]

bernhund said:

Thanks for that Chris. I'll have a good read through over the weekend!

Are free weights easy/safe etc. for training on your own? I guess I'm never going to be aiming at huge weights.

As long as you ease into it, and practise proper form/complete range of movement for each exercise with a weight you feel comfortable with (even if it's just the bar for now), then it is relatively safe.

It is not safe when people with little experience try to lift weights that are too heavy for them, then, it is very easy to injure yourself. A rack with safety bars help mitigate some risk, especially for Squats and Bench Press - but for the first few months, I would just take it easy and concentrate on form until each move becomes second nature.

[ambuletz]

Look up doing callisthenics, do that instead.