Can only buy 1 exercise machine for small home---need recommendations
LovliestDay
Posts: 3 Member
Hi! I want to purchase an exercise machine for indoor use. My bungalow is small and so is my budget. What do y'all recommend? What exercise machine would be best for weight loss? What specific machines (brands) do you like? What would you avoid buying? Help!
I am leaning towards an exercise bike, but I just am not certain.
Thanks!
I am leaning towards an exercise bike, but I just am not certain.
Thanks!
0
Replies
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I’ve heard a lot of great things about elliptical machines. I don’t personally own one though.1
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A yoga mat. It folds out of the way nicely and allows for great variety of workouts.5
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I personally own an Elliptical Machine and would highly recommend it. I know the average price since it varies quite a bit, but the machine is a full body work out. If you want to get strong and if you can afford it get some smaller individual weights for strength training aswell.4
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I have a combination elliptical / recumbent bike. Doesn't take up much room.
You can also consider a gazelle glider. Mine folds up when not in use.5 -
I'd recommend a boxing heavy bag. Cheaper than exercise machines and you can get a great varied workout on it.6
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It's up to whatever you like. Also, your budget. Personally, I like machines that don't have motors -- less to go wrong. Also, tend to have higher resale values. Echo Rogue Bike, Concept2 Rower, SkiErg (very little room but wonderful machine but not many would really enjoy it), Spinning Bike (no motor), manual treadmill. Older models of AirBikes by Schwinn.
Only you know what you'll use. Everyone will put up THEIR favorite machines. See if you have a fitness store with a wide selection. Wear your workout clothes and try many of them. Think about it and go again. If you can picture yourself using the machine many times, then buy it.
Play it Again Sports has good quality equipment. G&G Fitness does too (East Coast based). Try to find a store that has great reviews and knowledgeable people. I used to like G&G (Gronk's family from the Patriots owned it) because most of their managers had MS in Exercise Physiology.2 -
Bicycle or rowing machine if I was to ponder.2
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Jump rope, a couple of weights, yoga mat and a heavy boxing bag...3
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For me, I would want a concept 2 rowing machine. That said, not everyone likes to row. I would also totally go for a new bike trainer (a machine that you connect the back wheel of your bike to in order to ride your existing bike inside). I think your best bet would be to get a very short term gym membership and try out different machines. That way you can figure out what you like and what you think would be sustainable before you actually buy it.
With regards to weight loss, what would be good is a calorie deficit. That can be created without exercise.7 -
I would suggest starting out by following Pop Sugar or Fitness Blender. These have lots of routines to help with overall fitness and weight loss. No equipment necessary.
Look at different training programs. MFP lists many in the stickies. Also I would look at a sport or activity of interest that can be performed outside (weather permitting). Choose a program that looks interesting/ challenging. Get equipment for that program.
If you choose lifting, you could invest in a landmine sleeve, olympic barbell and weights. You could also choose a body weight program like Nerd Fitness.
If you choose cardio, I would suggest a good foldable treadmill and follow c2k =Couch to 5k. The treadmill can act as a personal trainer.
Challenge, progression and logging are key for me to sticking with a program and improving fitness.
Of course all this is mainly for fitness. Diet is mainly for fat loss and that in itself can be a training exercise incorporating a different kind of challenge, progression and logging.
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My Concept 2 rower will fit in a 3x9 ft space and can be stored upright if needed. My LeMond RevMaster Pro spin bike takes up about a 3x4ft space. Both cost about $1k. I haven't ridden the spin bike since I got the rower. I row 5k meters in about 40 mins burning about 280 cals daily.
A rower will give you a full body workout and makes use of almost every muscle in your body. A treadmill anf spin bike only works you legs/lower body.
An elliptical w/moving arms will make use of most muscles in your body but in a different way than a rower. W/o moving arms, an ellipical is essentially the same as a treadmill or spin bike in terms of the muscles used, given that each use those muscles differently based on the design/operation of those machines.
While there are many good quality and affordable rowers and spin bikes available for home use, a treadmill and elliptical of sufficient quality would probably be too large and costly for home use.
Each machine will provide you with good cardiovascular exercise if used properly. I prefer the rower and elliptical over a treadmill or spin bike. These are just my personal preferences. Yours will probably differ.2 -
I have a spin bike and free weights, bench, dumbbells. The bike is excellent for cardio1
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A pair of running shoes. Get outside and have fun.
BTW - No exercise machine is best for weight loss. You can gain a few extra calories but you won't lose much if you don't change your diet. Eat for weight loss, exercise for health and happiness. Find something you enjoy.
Good luck.2 -
There is no "best" exercise for weight loss. If you are following MFP's calorie goal, then you eat back your exercise calories. The only thing exercise should be doing for your weight loss is allowing you to eat more.
You should determine the "best" exercise by your goals and interests. If you have specific fitness goals, then your exercise needs to be tailored to them. An exercise plan is also useless if you aren't interested in sticking with it. I've seen many, many well-intentioned relatives buy expensive equipment, use it for a few months, and then shove it in a corner.
If you don't know what you would enjoy, then I would recommend joining a gym so you can spend several months trying out equipment before you commit to buying something. This would also mean you don't have to store any equipment at home.
I would also suggest trying activities that require minimal equipment. If you can run outdoors, then you don't need to buy anything beyond shoes and perhaps a sports bra. A bicycle takes up little space compared to most exercise machines. Exercise videos only need enough space for you to do the movements comfortably.0 -
I have a treadmill and a rower, and really don't use either. I also have a Rubbermaid kitchen step. Not necessarily a machine, but I can do a lot of step and step-kickboxing routines with it. It is very small and affordable. It takes up a lot less space than a regular stepper, and it can also be used for it's original intended purpose (or as a step for my puppy to get on the couch😉). Bonus! If you find step aerobics enjoyable, you might like it.2
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I had a nordic track and it was never used (but did not test prior to buying); I now have an elliptical at home that I use when I can't get to the gym. Highly recommend what others say about going to stores and trying out different machines (or a gym pass to help narrow down type of equipment). I have tried several different ellipticals at different gyms and they all have had very different feels to them. I also like spin bikes for low impact cardio and recently tried a peloton at a hotel gym (that is going to be on the pricey side), but there are other highly rated spin bikes out there. Tread mills still scare me and rowers are great but I have a hard time finding the right pace to use them for an extended period of time, so personal preference is likely going to play a big role!1
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I have several. In general, it needs to be something you'll use. If you are going to spend money on it, make sure you get a lifetime warranty.
There is no need to have a piece of machinery to exercise with if you'll just get up and walk around, and do some zero-equipment calisthenics and such.1 -
Thank you, everyone! Y'all have convinced me to make certain to try a variety of machines before purchasing one. 💙3
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If your budget is small, try checking out Craigslist for people getting rid of old machines, and ask around. I got my exercise bike for free from someone who was going to throw it out, and I got most of my free weights at garage sales.
The best machine for weight loss is the one you will use regularly. For me, that’s a pair of running shoes, and the bike helps when the weather is bad. A lot goes into this - are you prone to injury? Do you like to run or row? I find that my bike has been a godsend when my knee was injured and I wasn’t able to run, even though in most circumstances a treadmill would be more useful for me.1 -
Why not get a gym membership?0
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rheddmobile wrote: »If your budget is small, try checking out Craigslist for people getting rid of old machines, and ask around. I got my exercise bike for free from someone who was going to throw it out, and I got most of my free weights at garage sales.
This. Also join freecycle. You can even ask for whatever equipment you want and someone may give it to you, especially if you are willing to pick it up.1 -
After having used one for the first time today, I'd say an assault/air bike gives pretty good full body workout. I managed 100Cal in just over 10min
ETA also a good quality rower. Apart from running rowing is my go to cardio, very easy to vary the workout. I do tabata style sometimes, other times I do longer intervals. I use one to warm up or cool down. I use one in circuit style workouts with body weight exercises. Oh and sometimes I use one for steady state cardio if the weather is lousy and I can't do a long run2 -
My math worked out thus: A "good" machine will cost several thousand dollars. Yes, you CAN buy a less expensive machine but less expensive usually means cheaper. When looking for a home elliptical a $950 machine was flimsy and unstable compared to the $3000. It was usable but I could easily see it being under used because of it's shortcomings in a short while. Near my home is a Retro Fitness for $21 per month. They have ALL the equipment I could possibly need, industrial grade machines and such. Even the $950 inferior machine would account for 3 years 9 months of membership. I opted for the gym. The quality of the machines, the variety of equipment and not having to dedicate a large area of my home made it worthwhile.
But you have to make your choice and live with it. You should be as happy with your choice as I am with mine.3 -
My math worked out thus: A "good" machine will cost several thousand dollars. Yes, you CAN buy a less expensive machine but less expensive usually means cheaper. When looking for a home elliptical a $950 machine was flimsy and unstable compared to the $3000. It was usable but I could easily see it being under used because of it's shortcomings in a short while. Near my home is a Retro Fitness for $21 per month. They have ALL the equipment I could possibly need, industrial grade machines and such. Even the $950 inferior machine would account for 3 years 9 months of membership. I opted for the gym. The quality of the machines, the variety of equipment and not having to dedicate a large area of my home made it worthwhile.
But you have to make your choice and live with it. You should be as happy with your choice as I am with mine.
While I don't disagree about joining a gym to try out what you like, there are several machines with no motors under $1000 that are incredible. All don't have motors. C2 Rower ($1000), SkiErg ($750 if you put it on the wall), BikeErg ($1000), Bike with a Trainer ($700ish with a used bike or even a cheaper new bike), Manual Treadmill ($500 will get you an amazing one), Rogue Echo Assault Bike ($750).
And all of these will resell very high.0 -
MikePfirrman wrote: »My math worked out thus: A "good" machine will cost several thousand dollars. Yes, you CAN buy a less expensive machine but less expensive usually means cheaper. When looking for a home elliptical a $950 machine was flimsy and unstable compared to the $3000. It was usable but I could easily see it being under used because of it's shortcomings in a short while. Near my home is a Retro Fitness for $21 per month. They have ALL the equipment I could possibly need, industrial grade machines and such. Even the $950 inferior machine would account for 3 years 9 months of membership. I opted for the gym. The quality of the machines, the variety of equipment and not having to dedicate a large area of my home made it worthwhile.
But you have to make your choice and live with it. You should be as happy with your choice as I am with mine.
While I don't disagree about joining a gym to try out what you like, there are several machines with no motors under $1000 that are incredible. All don't have motors. C2 Rower ($1000), SkiErg ($750 if you put it on the wall), BikeErg ($1000), Bike with a Trainer ($700ish with a used bike or even a cheaper new bike), Manual Treadmill ($500 will get you an amazing one), Rogue Echo Assault Bike ($750).
And all of these will resell very high.
Still, that $1000 rower is three years of gym membership. It's our own choices, just offering an alternative to private ownership of a machine that may become a valet.1 -
MikePfirrman wrote: »My math worked out thus: A "good" machine will cost several thousand dollars. Yes, you CAN buy a less expensive machine but less expensive usually means cheaper. When looking for a home elliptical a $950 machine was flimsy and unstable compared to the $3000. It was usable but I could easily see it being under used because of it's shortcomings in a short while. Near my home is a Retro Fitness for $21 per month. They have ALL the equipment I could possibly need, industrial grade machines and such. Even the $950 inferior machine would account for 3 years 9 months of membership. I opted for the gym. The quality of the machines, the variety of equipment and not having to dedicate a large area of my home made it worthwhile.
But you have to make your choice and live with it. You should be as happy with your choice as I am with mine.
While I don't disagree about joining a gym to try out what you like, there are several machines with no motors under $1000 that are incredible. All don't have motors. C2 Rower ($1000), SkiErg ($750 if you put it on the wall), BikeErg ($1000), Bike with a Trainer ($700ish with a used bike or even a cheaper new bike), Manual Treadmill ($500 will get you an amazing one), Rogue Echo Assault Bike ($750).
And all of these will resell very high.
Still, that $1000 rower is three years of gym membership. It's our own choices, just offering an alternative to private ownership of a machine that may become a valet.
I get your point, but a C2 rower will resell for $700 after 3 years of use, maybe more. Same with the rest. So if you consider that, it's much cheaper than any gym except for (perhaps) Planet Fitness. I own an Assault Bike and a C2 rower. Planet Fitness's equipment is all inferior to either of those. I'm a member of LA Fitness. I work from home. I go to the gym once a week just to get out of the house and save my sanity. But from a workout perspective, I'm downgrading from my home equipment -- all under $1000 each.
Not to debate -- I get your point and it's valid -- it's just your assumption that all "good" equipment is around $3000 is incorrect. All good equipment with a motor is around $2000 plus. You just don't need a motor. You are the motor on my equipment. Motors break down. Unnecessary IMO.2 -
I vote jump rope. I know it seems silly and simple but it’s amazing and will really work you0
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TRX straps. Take up no space and you can do thousands (literally) of exercises with them. Awesome strength training tool!
PS You will benefit from taking a few classes to learn correct form & variations.4 -
I like the mention of a yoga mat, and a high end yoga mat would still be cheaper than a machine.
I have a treadmill, and though I do prefer to run or walk outside, my treadmill has seen a LOT of use over 15 or so years we’ve had it. It’s nice for winter time when short days prevent having enough daylight to get outside runs in around working, and also helpful on days when I can’t get away from the house for exercise. Treadmills are also a lot more versatile than most people realize as far as the types of things you can do on them.
I think cardio machines in general might be helpful for people who don’t like exercise (but just do it because they feel they should) because if you put it in front of the TV, it’s easier to distract yourself and passes the time faster. What you decide to get really depends on you and what you like. If you hate it and wouldn’t use it, it’s useless.1
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