recommend me one exercise machine

cardio is okay, strength is okay.
no gym membership.
prefer machines vs free weights, etc.
can only afford one piece. not sure of budget but nothing too extreme.
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Replies

  • JoJo__Fit
    JoJo__Fit Posts: 258 Member
    Bowflex
  • steve0820
    steve0820 Posts: 510 Member
    You're body.....it's free!
  • AwesomeGuy37
    AwesomeGuy37 Posts: 436 Member
    I keep thinking about getting a Total Gym. It seems like 1 machine to do all the workouts. I would like to hear the other responses as well.
  • laurensgettingfit
    laurensgettingfit Posts: 41 Member
    I just bought a TRX suspension trainer - my PT recommended it highly to me, should arrive tomorrow I can't wait to try it!!
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    If I was going to buy just one machine it would be an indoor rower (specifically Concept2 - the gold standard of rowing machines) if you can't afford a new one (they're not cheap) look for a used one. Excellent cardio & a full body workout.
  • I recommend the Weider Ultimate BodyWorks . It's just like a total gym, In my opinion nicer. You can strength train , and get in your cardio by switching from one exercise to another so rapidly. And it's so affordable , You can do a lot on that thing for right at $150 Check out walmart online if they don't have it at your local Walmart. Good Luck!
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    Rowing machine, as it gives you a combination of CV and resistance with a whole body effect. Agre that Concept are very good, personally I have a WaterRower, with a similar level of quality
  • sillyvalentine
    sillyvalentine Posts: 460 Member
    Your legs. Put one foot in front of the other and repeat as necessary.
  • Be4stm0de
    Be4stm0de Posts: 103
    I recommend you use that money and get a gym membership
  • dtimedwards
    dtimedwards Posts: 319 Member

    prefer machines vs free weights

    you'll get over it

    squat rack

    and since I'm in a generous mood, I'll offer a second piece of equipment: proper running shoes
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    You're body.....it's free!

    X2
    Your body is all the equipment you need. But a pull up bar wouldn't hurt.
  • yogicarl
    yogicarl Posts: 1,260 Member
    Yep - pull-up bar and, if you can't do many pull-ups yet, a couple of resistance bands to use to help you up there. Your own body will be fine for the rest.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    power cage.

    can do all the things including pull ups.
  • LolBroScience
    LolBroScience Posts: 4,537 Member
    Barbell.
  • a_stronger_me13
    a_stronger_me13 Posts: 812 Member
    While you may prefer machines over free weights, you're going to get the most bang for your buck out of a barbell and some plates. Optional items would be a rack and a bench.
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    While you may prefer machines over free weights, you're going to get the most bang for your buck out of a barbell and some plates. Optional items would be a rack and a bench.

    I agree with this, and the other person that suggested using a gym if it's an option for you. I would use a gym if I could.

    As it is, I use my bodyweight, a bench, and Weider adjustable dumbbells to get my strength training in. It meets my needs right now.
  • kr1stadee
    kr1stadee Posts: 1,774 Member
    If I could afford one piece of equipment, it would be a squat rack. 100%
  • LaurelViewig
    LaurelViewig Posts: 1 Member
    I have been using DDP yoga DVDs. You only use yourself and a yoga mat. By utilizing Dynamic Resistence, you can create the workout of free weights, without having the euiqpment. I love it. You can make as hardcore or easy as needed. I wear a wristband heartrate monitor and can get my heartrate into the fatburning zone literally standing there fleing my muscles and doing the moves!

    www.ddpyoga.com
  • eldamiano
    eldamiano Posts: 2,667 Member
    The road/park/trail/path. It is completely free in most areas too.
  • vorgas
    vorgas Posts: 741 Member
    I keep thinking about getting a Total Gym. It seems like 1 machine to do all the workouts. I would like to hear the other responses as well.
    It took me all of about 4 months to outgrow the Total Gym. I was 40 years old, and in piss poor shape. It wasn't long before I really hit the limits of where that machine could take me.

    I thought because you could buy a bar and add weights it would be nice, but you can't put more than 5 lb plates on it because the plates will hit the ground.

    Since it's based on angled body weight, there are many exercises where the steep angle became downright dangerous to get the resistance I needed.

    It was a great building block to help me get going until I found a good gym to join. But honestly, a pull-up bar, a bicycle, and a resistance band would have been cheaper and more effective.
  • Kreepie11
    Kreepie11 Posts: 76
    I would also recommend the gym membership, if you're able to pull it off monthly. You could buy any one piece of equipment, but the gym has any you could ask for, and probably some you wouldn't have even thought to ask for. It's also a great social experience. You can go with a friend (you would be hard pressed to do the same at home with one piece of equipment), take some headphones and go alone, meet someone new..... Plus it kind of smells nice there, and they're usually nice and bright.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,336 Member
    Strap system of some sort. I have the Jungle Gym XT, but there is the TRX, Blast Straps, and a bunch more. Very versitile, and allows you to work out your whole body including your back muscles which are some of the more difficult ones to workout without weights.
  • alyrpal
    alyrpal Posts: 8 Member
    A bicycle - 700 calories per hour. You see things, hear things and smell things you don't in a gym, room, or tin box on wheels

    Al
  • Trixsterfan
    Trixsterfan Posts: 56 Member
    Trixster bike,AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I keep thinking about getting a Total Gym. It seems like 1 machine to do all the workouts. I would like to hear the other responses as well.

    This would also be my suggestion, though I don't have one and have never used one. But Chuck friggin' Norris uses it!
  • yogicarl
    yogicarl Posts: 1,260 Member
    There is one machine that does all the workouts - it's called your own body. Your body is your own total gym.
  • KyleB65
    KyleB65 Posts: 1,196 Member
    Running shoes! Then go outside and use them often!
  • SirgS
    SirgS Posts: 21
    I wouldn't trade in my rowing machine for the world. I'm ready to upgrade it to a concept 2, if you can afford it definitely get it.
  • gmoneycole
    gmoneycole Posts: 813 Member
    You could get an inexpensive elliptical machine. There is minimal impact to your joints and if you set the resistance level up high you can really get a great burn! When the weather is nice no machine needed! :) Good luck!
  • shellma00
    shellma00 Posts: 1,684 Member
    I really like the rowing machine at the gym. Its a total body workout. I was totally against paying for gym memberships for the longest time, but I finally broke down and joined and after getting over the anxiety of it all.. I LOVE IT!!! Just a thought. You can take advantage of as many pieces of equipment as you want to.