I'm buying a cheap fitness machine so...Help? Please?

Well, if it is really inexpensive it may not be great quality so it may break sooner - so keep that in mind (and honestly for me I would probably be ok with that depending on what it is). I have a recumbent bike (Schwinn) and a Nordic Track Pro Skier (used to work at Nordic Track back in the 90's so got a good price at the time) because I like to have different options. When I was looking for the bike (to replace one that had broken) I ended up (don't laugh) ordering from QVC and only because 1) I knew what I wanted to get and tried it out at a store first and they had it and 2) It was a little more then I wanted to spend (only like $100 more so not horrible) but it was better than the less expensive bikes by a lot AND with QVC I was able to get it on their easy pay plan so I paid it over time (5 months). I wouldn't have gone that route if I couldn't try it in a store but honestly it made it so I could get something a little better.

The reason I am mentioning that is that I looked at HSN after seeing your list and I am pretty sure they have that same elliptical/bike combo on sale for a bit less with free shipping right now (and easy pay also) so if you go that route take a look at that. It is actually one I considered but with the skier I didn't really need the elliptical part - but I think that is a good option because it has two things you can do in one machine.

Yes, I do watch the home shopping channels when I get bored - it fills my shopping need but I don't usually actually buy anything (except the bike of course and it was honestly an excellent experience for me for many reasons, including getting a nicer bike then I thought I could). But hey, that is why I remembered that machine was on there.

gmallan wrote: »

Keep an eye on Craigslist or anywhere that sells second hand stuff. You might be able to pick up a better quality one for cheap. Lots of people buy this kind of stuff with good intentions and then don't get much use out of it

I second this. This also has the plus that if you get sick of it (as you said you have exercise ADD) that you can resell it for close to what you paid.

Check Craigslist, good will stores, flea markets, and such. Lots of people buy stuff and never use it except to hang clothes on. Eventually they need the room and sell it cheap or give it away. I've got a whole room full of good stuff - exercise bike, treadmill, elliptical, etc. If you live around the mid-atlantic I could fix you up with a low-end rowing machine.

Do you have a bicycle? If so, I would recommend getting a trainer, like a Cycleops:

http://www.amain.com/CycleOps-Mag-Trainer-9901/p334028?utm_source=Google-Base&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Product_Listing_Ads_Bikes&gclid=COfj0JOm-sECFUUV7AodtQ0ALA

You might be able to find one on Craigs list or ebay even cheaper. They are less likely to break than an inexpensive piece of equipment and they take up hardly any room. I use mine all of the time.

OP, your post says you want something for glutes and abs mostly. I would suggest an adjustable bench or a decline ab bench for doing some ab work and a set of a couple dumb bells. You could do lungs all day with the weights for your glutes and then turn around and do weighted decline ab routines for those. For cardio, you might try some videos on demand or youtube. I had my PC connected to my TV and the wife used to do some cardio type workout videos on the TV, my 2 year old would love running around her while she was bouncing around.

BTW, I'm in SW Chicago, so if you need help checking out CL for cheap pieces just let me know.