Fitness people - opinions needed please!!

[fortunatelynot]

I have posted this on this board as due to the virus my gym routine has obviously stopped. This may sound like a first world problem but my gym is my stress release and I've been going for years. I don't think I will be returning even IF restrictions are lifted due to the handling of equipment etc (and I live with my son who is high risk).

SO....... at the gym I use the treadmill or cross trainer then do weights/use the machines etc. Since gym closure I have run most days. I have some limited equipment such as one(!) kettle bell, a step and some resistance bands. I have been doing some online workouts.

Ongoing I have decided to invest long term in either a treadmill or cross trainer. Please give me your opinions on what you think is best for someone is fairly fit. I know you can read general stuff on the internet but am genuinely interested in people with a good level of fitness and what they use at home.

Thank you

Thank you jasjas.

A bike and/or rower look like the way to go.

I have a friend who swore cycling made her thighs huge so maybe it depends on the person and what you’re doing

Another vote for road bike on a turbo trainer!

I've got a Wahoo Kickr and a Zwift subscription.

I also own the following:

Kettle bells
Dumb bells
Skipping rope
Plyo box
Resistance bands
Weighted vest

DH is building me a "pain cave" and top of my new equipment list is a squat rack and barbell with plates so that I can do squats, deadlifts and pull-ups.

If there is save I'm also getting a Ski Erg as they take up less space that a rower

Cycling only tends to make your thighs big if you do a lot of heavy/high resistance workouts - like the indoor cycling sprinters/persuit team.

But if you look at the long distance athletes like Lucy Charles Barclay who doesTriathlon where it's a lot of high intensity lower resistance and multi discipline they absolutely don't have hide thighs!

Huge not hide!!

@Thismummyruns you can use a mountain bike with a turbo like the wahoo kickr support.wahoofitness.com/hc/en-us/articles/204281714-Does-the-KICKR-work-with-my-mountain-bike-What-about-my-29er-or-27-5-
I think zwift or sufferfest is a must to keep up interest and provide good challenge.
I trained for a half iron-man almost exclusively with sufferfest as my kids were small then so tough to get out on the road. It massively helps fitness.

People who have exercise bikes are there any brands you recommend? Was thinking of going for a folding one as I don't have a lot of space but don't know where to start really.

Folding bicycle trainers can be very heavy, and unless you spend a lot of money aren't really very good.
If you have room for a bicycle, perhaps consider a basic turbo trainer and a normal road bike? which you can also use outside.

Have a google on turbo trainer guides.

Do bikes make your thighs big??

Hi @fortunatelynot a friend of mine is a personal trainer and has been running free HIIT classes via zoom 3 times a week. I’m sure there’s other trainers doing similar which might be worth a thought and would mean no financial outlay.

I would focus on outdoor activities for cardio and spend money on equipment for resistance training

Versa climber

But really it comes down to what you will use and what will motivate you. If you are a class person then a subscription to online classes might be more motivating.

OP, are you saying that you don't want the size of your muscles to increase?

As a qualified fitness instructor, I would say a good cross trainer is ideal, because it is a full body workout. I used to row and although a Concept 2 rower would be great, I have seen so many people using them incorrectly - bad technique - which can do more harm than good.
It is also difficult to spend 40 minutes on a rower, far easier on a cross trainer.
Whatever you decide on, you must vary the routines - short and long intervals, ladder routines, warm up gradually for around 5 minutes, then cool down at the end for ten minutes, gradually bringing your heart rate down.
Also, do not forget to do a dynamic warmup before using the cardio equipment, then stretching out once you have finished.

I'm going to buck the trend and vote for a treadmill or cross trainer.

We actually get a lot of use out of our treadmill, despite also doing a lot of running outside too. It is really handy for those cold, dark or wet nights where conditions aren't great for heading outdoors (particularly as we live semi-rurally). We also use it a lot for intervals, plus you can incorporate sprints into your HIIT workouts with some kettlebells and dumbbells.

I also am looking to buy a cross trainer as I used them a lot at the gym - I think they are great given there is zero impact and you can crank the resistance up and get a very decent workout.

Bloody hate rowers and find bikes boring as anything.

You lot are amazing. I am sure glad I posted because it has made me think.

Ok, I'm not saying that I don't want my muscles to increase. The thing is, having been a gym goer for several years, I've been able to vary my workouts (which I think is good). So...I always do some form of cardio and also, some form of strength training. Cardio might be on the treadmill or cross trainer and strength using a variety of equipment. But, because I am going to have to give the gym a miss I think, for quite a while, I guess I am looking for the best piece of equipment to give a good all round cardio experience. Does that make sense??!

IME it's very difficult to optimise training when you don't have access to the equipment that the gym provides ☹️
I'm getting by as best I can, but this is an inconvenient interruption to the quest for physical perfection ☹️
because of sod's law it is very likely that the more money you spend on fitness equipment the quicker the gyms will reopen 🙈
WE WANT OUR TOYS BACK 😭😭😭😭😭

@FrangipaniBlue I love it - pain cave!!!
@B1rdbra1n I know - they might open sooner rather than later, BUT I live with my son who is high risk and I am wondering whether I should stay away even when they do open. The thought of everyone handling the weights.......
I miss my gym!!!
@Panticus I thought more people would say a cross trainer actually. I think it would fit in my small spare room more easily and it does use whole body.

Gyms-very tricky because they are places of potentially high transmission!
I would imagine that those who consider themselves vulnerable, or who are part of 'bubbles' containing vulnerable people will avoid such places until the threat levels have substantially reduced.
As well as places of high transmission there are places where people go to build up their reserves of health which will protect them against the worst effects of infection.
One might argue that it is possible to optimise physical health and fitness without gym facilities, but as you get older optimising physical health is increasingly about avoiding the overuse injuries which tend to result from concentrating on just one activity.
I feel that strength training is particularly important, when youre young the 'basics' (ie barbell pressing, squatting, deadlift) might be enough but as you get older focusing on these types of movements tends to lead to joint and tendon issues, you need more variety to work your muscles through all ranges of motion without causing injury

Has anybody ever used /bought one of those hybrid trainers which is a bike and cross trainer in one?

Any good?