Gym Machines

i can't stand the cardio machines either.

i used to do the eliptical a lot... because i hated running. actually ended up giving me back problems. i still hate running but i much perfer outdoor running to running on a treadmill.

I love them. The stair master is challneging and makes me sweat the most, love the stationary bike and putting it in a tough resistence setting, and the tradmill i use to walk and a moderate to fast pace in an uphill type mode. I do not find wlaking around the block challenging enough to give me a work out.

Treadmill always feel like i might shoot off. Giid for runners who dont like rain or cold otherwise run outside.
Eliptical I find a bit artifical.

The bike much nicer in the open, but dangerous if theres traffic. Stationary bike was boring but am thinking of trying myride the virtual bike thing.

But the king of cardio machines is the rower, its brilliant. Cant understand why more people dont use it.

...but my least favorite is this leg machine where you push your leg backwards while standing. It's just awkward for me lol.

Glute press machine? yeah its a strange one at best. but if you are looking for a good way to hit the glutes and hammys straight legged deadlifts are FTW... or you could check out hip thrusts. i do these with my shoulders against the edge of my couch while watching TV. just do a set of 20, with the focus being on clenching/flexing the glutes the entire time both up and down. you will feel it big time even without any weight added.

My pet hate is the investment mainstream gyms make in filling all there floor space with resistance machines for each and every possible movement the body can make instead of investing in free weights, barbells and power racks to enable people to workout safely & effectly without a spotter.

I would much rather see a row of 5-6 power racks than a Bicep Curl machine, A Calf Raising Machine, A tricep pull down machine etc.

I would much prefer to see investment in free space, functional training equipment, strongman equipment and indoor running tracks than endless cardio and stability depriving resistance machines.

Kyle Bonsor PT

I love the ARC Trainer. Addicted to it and would choose it and the Elliptical before the treadmill. I find I can do my interval cardio plan much easier. And doing intervals makes the time fly for me, versus a steady pace.

I would like it if where I workout had a rowing machine. I used to use one a long time ago and would probably enjoy it too.

I feel the same way. There are no classes at my gym this week because they close the studios for maintenance. So, I just do the stationary bike, weight machines, and free weights. The bike is boring and I fell off a treadmill once, so I'm leary of them. Fortunately, the Y now has the recumbent bikes with TVs right on the bike. I watch CNN every day; I'll probably get a heart attack from all that negative news.

In my opinion the worst machine in the gym would have to be the elliptical. The weird thing is that my favorite machine is also the elliptical. The reason I hate this machine is not because of the machine or what it works muscle wise, its that no one wipes down their sweat after using it. I find myself wiping the machine before I use it and also after and try not to think of how gross that is.

I really hate treadmills too haha but only because I get shin splints.

Treadmills are good if you have other issues as it makes it harder to be stranded wherever when a bum knee gives out.

Pretty much the only machine I use in the home gym is the lat pulldown; we have a treadmill that I've used only three times or so since I went back to work. I prefer to run/walk outside.