If you had to choose ONE excercize machine to buy- which wo

lunarastro

I may be in the market of an exercize machine ( elliptical, treadmill etc). Which machine do you think would provide the most fitness benefits?

DamnImCute

It depends. I have a bike and a treadmill. The treadmill was really hard on my knees but burned more cals. The bike is fantastic!! (But burns fewer cals). So it's really dependent on you

dancingj2

It really comes down to which one are you more likley to use. We have a treadmill and an elliptical. I use the treadmill often. But when my knees are bothering me I use the elliptical.

soagirl777

For cardio, I prefer my elliptical trainer over the treadmill. I think maybe because it's lower impact on ankles and knees. For strength training, I love my Total Gym! I got my Total Gym from QVC about 4 yrs ago. They do still carry it and its only $258.00 and on 4 easy payments of $64/month! So worth the money. I also love my Pilates machine (also purchased from QVC). I think with shipping and handling, I paid about $420.00.

SamHughes15

Personally i would buy a treadmill just because i know i would use the treadmill more often then say a bike. But it is a personal thing i guess.
x

MrsLVF

I my elliptical.

cptechwork

I had a treadmill for years and I used it a lot and it's a good machine to have. But treadmills are noisy both from the motor and the constant footfalls. If you get the pace up it can shake the house if it's not in the basement.

When I moved I needed a quieter option since the machine would be under my kids rooms, so I got a schwinn recumbent bike. It works great, was pretty cheap, and very quiet. I can exercise before the kids get up or after they go to bed with it.

Something to keep in mind if you live in an apartment or noise/thumping is a factor.

yesthistime

Treadmill if I could afford a gym-quality one.
Stationary bike if I were going cheaper.
Jillian Michaels DVDs and a set of hand weights if I'm super broke.

chubbytiff

I chose a treadmill. Both are good. I just knew that the treadmill would be one that I would not mind using several days a week. It has different levels to choose from. Plus i got one that can fold away. So i dont have to have a huge eliptical sitting out in the floor all the time. I can listen to the ipod or watch tv. I love it! Had it since January and i am using it at least 5 days a week.

LJC44

I would choose a treadmill and also buy some free weights. Cardio after weight lifting = GOOD!

melgillis

I have neither, but i go to the gym 4 to 5 days a week. If I use a machine, it's the elliptical because I feel I get more bang for the output. More calorie burn. We had a recumbant bike, we never used it. If I were to buy another machine, I'd say it'd be an elliptical.

cerixon

I love my C2 rowing machine. Great cardio workout for the days I don't feel like running.

mtretter

I went through this same thing awhile back, my wife and I are both in our 50's, she has had back surgery, I've had knee surgery. We both wanted something that was low impact, so we wound up with a seated elliptical from Octane Fitness. We've had it for a month now and a day doesn't go by that it doesn't get used. I use it 3-4 times daily and she uses it once a day, 30-60 minutes at a stretch. Gives us a great cardio work out as well as toning up the legs, butt, arms and shoulders according to how hard you push yourself.

jaymek92

a squat rack with lots o' plates of all sizes.

jamszy

Elliptical, but a rower would also add strength training.

Wendyma1

I absolutely love me elliptical!

tgiftom

Elliptical..better on joints. I would also get some dumbbells to do some strength training. Alternate days between cardio and strength.

Wendyma1

I absolutely love me elliptical!

love "my" elliptical, sorry!

Soniatantu

Although I do not own one but the one that I would suggest is the elliptical....I did that when I lost weight three-four years ago....Its a great machine...I have bad knees so a treadmill or a bike was out of the question ...this machine was not as hard on my knees.

amandammmq

Instead of an actual exercise machine, I got an Xbox 360 with Kinect. I can play all kinds of different games, do workout routines, Zumba classes, etc. I would get way too bored doing the same thing all the time.

Bottom line, get what you think you will enjoy using, and what will motivate you to get up off the sofa and move!

katglaze

I would buy an elipitical, it is shear fat burning, cardio for me.

A_Fit_Mom

I have a treadmill and love it. I always have the total body works...it's like the total body gym but was less than 200 dollars and I have had it for years.

revadiana

Elliptical. I lost my first 50 pounds just with that and watching my calories.

hesn92

I would get a treadmill so that when it's too cold or hot or rainy or whatever outside, I could run inside

badgerbadger1

power cage with olympic barbell and plates

thefuzz1290

Power Rack...you can run outside if you must.

melbaby925

If you have the $$ get the Cybex arc trainer. I spent my bonus on the home version, and LOVE it! My knees never hurt with it.

Otherwise, I would get the elliptical.

Fitness4Paul

Elliptical for sure. Great workout, easy on the joints, low impact.

Switty_Kitty

If I could, I would get one of those bowflex treadclimber thingies.

trmecham

Road bike and rollers. It's not for everyone because it's hard to balance, but if you can master it, there's no equal. Neighbor across the street had twins and had seen me riding mine. She asked to borrow it and stuck with it. She could ride it after about two weeks and finally bought her own. She easily lost 35lbs in 4 months. On the other hand my girlfriend never could figure it out and burns far fewer calories on an elliptical.