Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Exercise

Chat to other fitness enthusiasts on our Exercise forum.

Original poster

I'm thinking of buying a stepper exercise machine.

91 replies

RedDoughnut · 04/04/2024 10:55

I have hopefully added a photo.

It's cheap, doesn't take up much space.
I just want to burn calories for weight loss.

I'm not going to go to the gym. You Tube videos are ok but I thought I could stand in this and move while watching TV

Is this a stupid idea?

I'm thinking of buying a stepper exercise machine.
OP posts:
brocollilover · 05/04/2024 17:27

RedDoughnut · 05/04/2024 17:08

@brocollilover

I want something more than ' a brisk walk'
Sometimes it's too dark, cold or wet for me.

I live rurally so to go to a gym is a 40 minutes drive one way.

I don't want to take over the living room in the evening forcing DH and DC into their bedrooms.
I don't see enough of them as it is!
We don't have any other rooms, our place is tiny and so no table in the kitchen etc.

Some people's lives are different from the average. I can't fit in everything I want to do in 24 hours.

your dilemma really isn’t very different to many
in fact… rather good compared to many
you have adult children and you have a partner

what i do? up early before anyone else wakes and either run or do a video. Done and dusted by 7.30

brocollilover · 05/04/2024 17:26

RedDoughnut · 05/04/2024 17:08

@brocollilover

I want something more than ' a brisk walk'
Sometimes it's too dark, cold or wet for me.

I live rurally so to go to a gym is a 40 minutes drive one way.

I don't want to take over the living room in the evening forcing DH and DC into their bedrooms.
I don't see enough of them as it is!
We don't have any other rooms, our place is tiny and so no table in the kitchen etc.

Some people's lives are different from the average. I can't fit in everything I want to do in 24 hours.

a £40 stepper whilst watching TV will likely give you less than a brisk walk

Original poster
RedDoughnut · 05/04/2024 17:08

@brocollilover

I want something more than ' a brisk walk'
Sometimes it's too dark, cold or wet for me.

I live rurally so to go to a gym is a 40 minutes drive one way.

I don't want to take over the living room in the evening forcing DH and DC into their bedrooms.
I don't see enough of them as it is!
We don't have any other rooms, our place is tiny and so no table in the kitchen etc.

Some people's lives are different from the average. I can't fit in everything I want to do in 24 hours.

OP posts:
brocollilover · 05/04/2024 15:23

RedDoughnut · 05/04/2024 14:42

Im not sure what the answer to my dilemma is. Other than work less, which isn't financially possible.

I suspect me working out while they watch TV is unrealistic as it's not going to be the most attractive view and the machine might be noisy.
So they'd all probably retreat to their bedrooms anyway which then means I could use the TV for some exercise DVDs or YouTube equivalent.

A home gym would be great! I think a small conservatory would do.
However this is a much bigger investment than £45 !

but a home gym wouldn’t work for you

unless you dragged your family in to it whilst you weee working out!

brocollilover · 05/04/2024 15:22

.Im not sure what the answer to my dilemma is. Other than work less, which isn't financially possible.

none of us are clear what your dilemma is

you say you don’t want to exercise anywhere else other than at home because you’re adult adult is about to “fly the nest”

im pretty sure you could pop out for a 30 min-1 hour brisk walk whilst they’re otherwise engaged or indeed… ask them to accompany you

Thegreatgiginthesky · 05/04/2024 15:00

If you are interested in a home gym you can get a long way with a couple pairs of dumbbells, a glute band and a yoga mat for less than £100. Try following the Caroline Girvan iron programme on YouTube.

Original poster
RedDoughnut · 05/04/2024 14:42

Im not sure what the answer to my dilemma is. Other than work less, which isn't financially possible.

I suspect me working out while they watch TV is unrealistic as it's not going to be the most attractive view and the machine might be noisy.
So they'd all probably retreat to their bedrooms anyway which then means I could use the TV for some exercise DVDs or YouTube equivalent.

A home gym would be great! I think a small conservatory would do.
However this is a much bigger investment than £45 !

OP posts:
florenceandthemac · 05/04/2024 12:01

Does the rest of your family exercise, OP?

brocollilover · 05/04/2024 10:37

RedDoughnut · 04/04/2024 17:55

@brocollilover not all are adults but even so I want to prioritise spending time with them. I can feel my nest emptying! One has flown and it's horrible.

why not ask you adult dc to start coming on brisk walks with you if you don’t feel like you can leave them a a few times a week for an hour

BogRollBOGOF · 05/04/2024 09:38

https://youtube.com/@RickBhullarFitness?si=KXdirlCBxCDSHIe1 has had a lot more use than the exercise bike now shunted into my garden ready to go to the tip (old, basic, not fully functional so not worth passing on). I find short videos like this can be done from my phone, use much more of my body than a single-function machine, and are more interesting and fun.

The reality is that having one machine like this means that most people don't tend to use them much. They're dull. There's not much direct reward. Cheap ones may not be comfortable or robust. The health benefit is limited. That's why people who've tried something like this tend to be unenthused.

Will your family go out walking or jogging with you? The evenings are lighter now which makes it more appealing.

Before you continue to YouTube

https://youtube.com/@RickBhullarFitness?si=KXdirlCBxCDSHIe1

Original poster
RedDoughnut · 04/04/2024 19:21

@ManchesterBeatrice

Diet is good. I was very focused but we had a death in the close family earlier this year. I found myself comfort eating.
Back on track now. I feel in the zone, which if you have ever had to lose weight then you will know the state of mind is the hardest thing to crack.

OP posts:
WhataPithy · 04/04/2024 19:14

You’d be much better off to do a set of squats, lunges and wall sits which will build up muscle, you can watch the tv at the same time and these won’t need any equipment (I would add a 6kg kettlebell into the mix though).

Well done on your weightloss!!

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 04/04/2024 19:08

RedDoughnut · 04/04/2024 16:00

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor I'm going to sound like I'm making excuses but I promise you my bedroom has no space and we are in an old house with creaky beams and ceilings!
No jumping on the beds for my DC when they were little! And no working out upstairs for me.

You only need space to stand up and march on the spot.

ManchesterBeatrice · 04/04/2024 19:03

What's your diet like OP?

Original poster
RedDoughnut · 04/04/2024 19:02

@hedgehoglurker

Thank you. I saw both your posts.
I just felt the need to defend myself a bit.

I'm glad it worked for you. I'm still tempted to try.

OP posts:
Original poster
RedDoughnut · 04/04/2024 18:58

@DeeCeeCherry
I have been doing things like stretches and squats in the kitchen but I can't get sweaty and out breath in the working day.

OP posts:
Original poster
RedDoughnut · 04/04/2024 18:56

@brocollilover
I can and do walk and 99% of the time DH comes with me which is frost as I can decompress about work etc.

But I don't know where you are but in my part of the UK it is frequently dark either side of my working day and or belting down with rain.

I had a day off today and went swimming ( it's a 45 mile round trip!). I love swimming but it's not something I can do on a work day.

I need to find more hours in the day.
I want to have time for myself and my family.

OP posts:
hedgehoglurker · 04/04/2024 18:00

Not sure if you saw my earlier post, but following a couple of other PP's comments, if this will fit in with your life, I would go for it. You know your home and availability.

Personally, I found my mini-stepper (without handles) to be a completely different workout to using a step or a flight of stairs. The side-to-side action rather than just up and down really worked the legs and body in a different way. The width also fit my hips far better than a cross trainer too.

ohthejoys21 · 04/04/2024 18:00

We have a cross trainer in our small gym. Use it when it's raining and don't want to go out. Worth investing in a sturdy one will last longer. Ours is from techno gym.

brocollilover · 04/04/2024 17:57

RedDoughnut · 04/04/2024 17:55

@brocollilover not all are adults but even so I want to prioritise spending time with them. I can feel my nest emptying! One has flown and it's horrible.

i think they’ll be ok with you going out for a fast walk for 30 mins op

you aren’t going to do a bit of exercise outside the house because you don’t want to spend 30 mins away from your adult children because they’re moving out soon? oh come on op. you want to do this or you don’t

Original poster
RedDoughnut · 04/04/2024 17:55

@brocollilover not all are adults but even so I want to prioritise spending time with them. I can feel my nest emptying! One has flown and it's horrible.

OP posts:
DeeCeeCherry · 04/04/2024 17:51

RedDoughnut

My cousin has been using a Walking Pad whilst watching TV or listening to music, and now she is so toned. She's lost weight too. I have an aerobic step that cost £20. To stop me being lazy its in my eyeline outside kitchen door, so I do 50 step ups every time I pass it. I also have dumbbells, which I keep in sight. Even if Im sitting down, I use them. & I follow ahort Yoga workouts on YouTube 2/3 times weekly.

If youre WFH make sure to stand up every hour, do squats on the spot if thats all you have rime for. Im like you, outdoor exercise doesnt appeal to me, not fussed about gym, but sedentary lifestyle is a killer so I make sure to do what I can at home. Theres always time for some exercise its just whether you want to do it or not. I don't, particularly. But the alternative isn't for me

brocollilover · 04/04/2024 17:43

RedDoughnut · 04/04/2024 14:58

@florenceandthemac because I could exercise when my family are watching TV.

op you have adult children!

OhMehGoddess · 04/04/2024 17:05

I have a mini stepper and I usually use it after my hit session. Look at Mirabelelume on instagram.
I love it, it doesn't have handles.

DrJoanAllenby · 04/04/2024 16:44

RedDoughnut · 04/04/2024 15:00

@DrJoanAllenby

I could and I have thought about it but I frequently start work at 6.00. am
I don't think I'm could do it without going home to bed so early I'd never spend time with my family

You will feel tired at first but by getting fit you will have lots more energy.