Home gym equipment you could recommend

RuthSweetTooth

My husband used to be a professional body builder. He from time to time goes to the gym for a few months, then stops. He also wants me to go, but I can't afford to spend 2 hours a day doing what he does, and he can't either, because he is working on his Ph.D. I told him that we should get a home gym like a Bowmaster so that we could both use it and when he gets busy, he won't have to spend 2-4 hours at the gym exercising. My husband is an old pro at this and I am a beginner. Can you recommend equipment that you love? We already have a Gazelle and some weights at home. But not that many. We're both around 50.

SwindonJogger

i can recommend a concept 2 rowing machine as a great piece of cardio.
They are extremely durable, all the parts can be easily replaced. They are the gold standard for rowing machines and have a huge online community of users. A model D is the best option.
Disadvantages are the cost and the length required to use one.

wellbert

If you stick to compound lifts and strength training, with a program like Starting Strength, you can be in and out of the gym in about 30 minutes and see remarkable progress.

There's no reason at a beginner level to do 30 leg extensions, 30 leg curls, 30 calf raises, 30 leg press when you can just do a couple ***ng squats in a fraction of the time.

Eisskween

I love my treadmill and dumbell set!

contingencyplan

Squat rack with olympic barbell if you have the space. If you don't (which I perfectly understand), a set of adjustable dumbbells. Also, a suspension trainer.

tireetje

I love my cross trainer (elliptical trainer) so quick and easy to use. great for cardio workouts.

khrys1

If you've got the space and the money, I really like my Bowflex- can do tons of strength exercises as well as use it as a rowing machine. I also use my elliptical and treadmill a ton. But, for things that don't take up much space or $$$, stretch bands, weights, and just your body weight work great! Good luck to you!

ninerbuff

I actually own a BIOFORCE home gym that my DW and I use when the we can't make it to the gym. I like that it has CONSISTENT resistance unlike the Bowflex (with the exception of the Revolution) that only has PROGRESSIVE resistance. Also can do pullups on it!!! And it's less than half the cost of a Bowflex Revolution.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmNqdzg9y8k

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

jonward85

bump. Im interested to see what everyone says to this.

mellenorris

i can recommend a concept 2 rowing machine as a great piece of cardio.
They are extremely durable, all the parts can be easily replaced. They are the gold standard for rowing machines and have a huge online community of users. A model D is the best option.
Disadvantages are the cost and the length required to use one.

THIS. The moment we move and we have the space available, this is becoming a part of my home gym. Concept 2's SkiErg seems like it might be a decent cost/space alternative, but I've never used one.

RuthSweetTooth

OMG what great advice. Keep it coming ! Bump!

DavPul

A sandbag goes a long way with a ton of total body exercises and you can easily add weight to it as you get stronger.

adianeschu

bump

JNick77

Half power rack with an adjustable bench, olympic bar, chin-up bar or chin-up & dip station, and maybe some Power Block adjustable DB's. You can really do a lot with just that amount of equipment. The half-rack may sound huge but it's really minimal space.

RuthSweetTooth

Thank you, It's fabulous. I posted it up on my husband's facebook page. I love the video of the people trying it out at the gym. Now we just need to kick out my stepson and make room for that puppy.

Ruth

I actually own a BIOFORCE home gym that my DW and I use when the we can't make it to the gym. I like that it has CONSISTENT resistance unlike the Bowflex (with the exception of the Revolution) that only has PROGRESSIVE resistance. Also can do pullups on it!!! And it's less than half the cost of a Bowflex Revolution.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmNqdzg9y8k

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

cherylsmusic

I recommend a good recumbent or exercise bike and treadmill. They're my staples for home and not that expensive!

waldo56

Doorway pullup bar

Mctree20

These are great if you lack space - Nautilus Bowflex SelectTech 5-52 Dumbbells