A question for those of you who have gym equipment at home and actually use it regularly.

[MrsFogi]

I'm thinking of getting "something" for home to at least try to do some daily exercise (ideally to give me back the toned body I had pre-children ). Space is not an issue and I'm happy to spend a few hundred on the "something". But I know some many people with one or more "somethings" than now gather dust in their garages or act as very expensive clothes horses. So wise mners who manage to exercise regularly on their "something" could you share what works for you?

I've got a concept 2 rower at home which gets regular use but is expensive, don't know what sort of budget you have but you need to get something that is gym quality or it will end up as a white elephant

I have kettlebells from 12kg to 6kg, a yoga mat and this step/bench thing which I use for circuits and youtube workouts at home when I can't be bothered to go to the gym. They take up very little space and the step thing, because it's a bench as well can be used for extra seating for small bottoms at the coffee table when we're playing drunken board games.

In an ideal world I'd like a Pilates Reformer (a huge professional one) but these are about £6,000 which is beyond my budget . In terms of budget I suppose up to about £500 but more if half an hour a day on it will give me my pre-children body back .

what kind of exercise do you have in mind...are we talking cardio or resistance exercise MrsF?

Do you have a room where you can set up your stuff and leave it out or will you need to get it out and put it away each time?

(Only thing I do at home currently is yoga/general stretching, for that I use a yoga mat and stability ball)

Suzannewithaplan - I suppose I had cardio in mind but open to all ideas….
I have an empty room just waiting for me to stop finding excuses to not use so space is not an issue and it can be left out.

Exercise bike.

I think I would go with whatever form of indoor cardio you'd find easiest to stick with.
I can do resistance training at home but think I might struggle with cardio, some sort of spin bike (if you can get into it and keep it up) would probably give you the best quality machine for the least ££

If money were no object I'd get some sort of cross trainer thingy.
Maybe a rowing machine?

I am thinking of hiring a cross trainer - there are companies that hire them out.

Thanks Suzannewithaplan. Out of interest, what would you get if you went for resistance?

I have a treadmill and a spin bike. I use the bike more as it's in the lounge so get on it and watch tv whereas the treadmill is in the conservatory and nothing out there. I do still use it 2-3 times a week though. But use the bike daily b

Me?
I'd get
power rack
olympic bar
various weights for the bar
incline bench
some dumbells
TRX

you'd need proper flooring though.
Just the TRX would be useful

I have a semi recumbent bike. I bought it 10 years ago. Have replaced the belt 3 times. It cost 80 quid. I use it 5 times a week for at least 45 minutes. I think spending £££ is silly until you're sure you will use it. Eventually mine will give up completely and I will spend more money because I know I will use.
I am also doing Davinas 7 min DVD thingy as recommended on another thread. It is probably far better than the bike.

skipping rope and adjustable (or a range of) dumbbells if you are really really short of space

We have an eliptical trainer which has been a good buy, dh and I both go through phases of training on it while watching TV.

I've also got a set of kettlebells with a few DVDs. I enjoy this because the workouts are short (30 mins) but really very effective.

I'd love a TRX.

We have a turbo trainer and some kettle bells. I'd also like a treadmill, but the reality never matches up to what I think having one will be like when I have borrowed one!

It would be possible to make something TRX like pretty easily surely?
You'd just need to buy straps and fixings, it really does extend the range of body weight strength training that can be done.
I'd get a swiss ball and some press up handles, plus large mirror for checking your form.

Wish I had a spare room big enough to use as an exercise studio?

you can get cheaper versions of a TRX