If you could buy any ONE home exercise machine...

If money's no object, I'd say either one of the Expresso fitness bikes (which video-gamify your exercise) or a nice regular bike and a resistance trainer that, ideally, does the same video-game thing. The graphics aren't amazing, but it's enough like a "real" bike ride that you don't get bored (if you're me, anyway).

I HAD to google this. I npw want super bad. It would be perfect for my boyfriend. When he sits at his desk to play video games his leg is always bouncing, and since he "hates" cardio I think this would be an excellent way to get the restless leg and cardio taken care of.

Too bad I'm BROKE!!

I would like to try the Bowflex tread climber!

Personally, I would get a computer and get on youtube for exercise DVD's. I prefer to exercise at home and can't afford expensive equipment and outside isn't an option for me (I have to stay at home as I exercise when my child is asleep)!

I love Jillian Michaels - all of them really. But if you are only starting out at fitness there is a lady (whose name I can't remember!) who does 'walk at home'. I am OK with fitness so find them a little easy but I have recommended them to my sister as a starting point.

Good luck and good for you for making a start - it will be the hardest bit I think! :-)

I love Jillian Michaels - all of them really. But if you are only starting out at fitness there is a lady (whose name I can't remember!) who does 'walk at home'. I am OK with fitness so find them a little easy but I have recommended them to my sister as a starting point.

Leslie Sansone! How could I forget her videos? I've got several of her dvd's, have swapped out with my sister, and used what was online. She really is great especially for beginners.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/MireyGal76/view/diy-squat-rack-583300

I made this last fall, and really - it was easy, and cheap, and works well! I might make a few mods to it if, I have to make it again - but it suits my needs really well. :-D

seems like it would be safer with some sort of cross beam between the two uprights


i also second any of the popular DVD series

they weigh a lot and are incredibly stable. the guy who built them said he's used over 300lbs on them for quite a while without issue. I am only benching 85, but have had no concerns with stability whatsoever.

Not a machine but I'd buy a free weight set that includes a squat rack and bench with dumbbells, barbell and plate weights. I just 'might' me putting a little personal bias in that. Cardio can be done anywhere (running, jogging, jumping jacks, jump roap, laying on your back and bike pedaling).

I don't like to spend money on things I can already do for free.

Thanks, guys! I'm 100% going with a punching bag, and I've got some options to think about for a machine. I think I might end up with an elliptical, because my knees are dodgy.

I'd love to get weights, but I've never lifted and I think starting in my garage is a good way to do myself some serious damage.

I'm not going to tell you that your opinion is "wrong", but...

...a great many people started lifting in their garages/basements with wonderful success. The secret to avoiding "serious damage" is to progress at an appropriate rate. 98.44% of lifting injuries are from trying to do too much too fast too quickly too soon etc. (Of course the same can be said of running and other forms of exercise.)

I love my adjustable dumbbells -- Bowflex Select-Tech that adjust from 5 to 52.5 pounds. Although I can't do barbell squats or traditional deadlifts, I can do a lot of squat and DL variations, as well as lunges, split squats and arm isolation exercises. They would be great for someone starting out with weights who doesn't have room for a power rack.

The only cardio machine I use when I go to the gym is a rowing machine. Others are right -- you can do cardio for free by walking, jumping rope, exercise videos, etc. I guess if I lived in a cold climate where I couldn't get outside for a significant portion of the year, I might consider a treadmill for running.

Plenty on here have done weights on their own - there's loads of excellent and detailed resources out there on how to do it injury-free.

MFP is one such resource - often see people posting up a video for a "form check" on one of their lifts and so on.

I've never had instruction apart from these here internets - saying that, I do need to sort my power clean form - but I've found plenty of info, just need to put it into practice .

I love the heavy bag I have hanging in my basement. .

Great call OP

This is way more than what I need right now, but I I could buy ANY thing this would be it.

http://www.roguefitness.com/r6-power-rack.php?gclid=COPG36DO-70CFexcMgodKVoAJg

Absolutely this.

The Assisted pullups machine.

Have you noticed how no one seems to agree on what to buy? Its because everyone is different. Everyone's fitness needs are different. If you SET on having a machine in your home to use go to the gym and learn to use them all. Try them out and see which one fits you best. Then buy that one.