Which would you choose?

savlyon

I have about $75 to spend on exercise equipment and I am faced with two choices.

1. Bosu + free weights for home
I have a gym membership that I use everyday but I want to focus on weights and try to do strength training every other day. I don't feel like I have enough time at the gym to focus on strength and also my training for the triathlon and running events I am planning on doing later this year.


2. Heart Rate Monitor
I know that MFP and machines are not the most accurate measurements of calorie burn so I would like to get a HRM to determine an actual burn. The thing is I have lost 75 lbs on my own...I don't weigh my food, I just kind of estimate it and I kind of figure that the way I have been doing it has worked for the last year...I'm sure it will work just as well for the last 30 lbs. I wanted a HRM for Christmas though...

I am interested in seeing what everyone has to say...

oneIT

Keep the gym membership if you want to lift weights.

savlyon

I am keeping the gym membership. I would be getting the BOSU and weights to use at home when I want to focus on cardio at the gym. I have a 5 year old and it is so hard to stay at the gym for 1.5-2 hours a day. This would allow me to do weights while she is in bed or playing on her own.

oneIT

Oh, unless you are having problems loosing weight then go with the weights.

ottawagirl613

Weights and the 30 Day Shred from Gillian Michaels (or an equivalent). Lots of interesting moves on those videos so you don't limit yourself to the typical free weight moves that isolate one muscle at a time (taking up a lot of your valuable time)! Not to mention they incorporate a little extra cardio and give you direction so you are able to complete a total body circuit in about 25 mins rather then going at it on your own for a lot longer (with little/no direction).

And just my two cents: as for eyeballing your portions, you may find you need a little more accuracy as you approach your goal (either via HRM or measuring or both). There's a big difference between being 50 pounds from your goal and 10-15 pounds from your goal as far as the rate/ease that the weight comes off. But you've done great so far so keep it up!

savlyon

Weights and the 30 Day Shred from Gillian Michaels (or an equivalent). Lots of interesting moves on those videos so you don't limit yourself to the typical free weight moves that isolate one muscle at a time (taking up a lot of your valuable time)! Not to mention they incorporate a little extra cardio and give you direction so you are able to complete a total body circuit in about 25 mins rather then going at it on your own for a lot longer (with little/no direction).

And just my two cents: as for eyeballing your portions, you may find you need a little more accuracy as you approach your goal (either via HRM or measuring or both). There's a big difference between being 50 pounds from your goal and 10-15 pounds from your goal as far as the rate/ease that the weight comes off. But you've done great so far so keep it up!

I do my free weights on the BOSU and usually do compound lifts so I am basically working 2-3 major muscle groups every move. I like Jillian Michaels (I have done 30 DS once) but I have a class that I go to that I like better.

beckkotsch

Personally, I'd get an hrm. But it sounds like the weights and the bosu would benefit you more right now. Maybe an hrm would help you more once you hit maintenance? You really can't go wrong with either so...