Exercise machines for home

[ChampagneTastes]

I used to run quite a bit, happily doing 10k a couple of times a week and was reasonably fit and healthy. Then I got Covid and now I have chest pains on occasion which make me nervous about going too far from home. So now I'm fat and unfit and fed up so my FABULOUS DH has built me a shed in the garden in which I can put up to two exercise machines. I am currently moving towards a spin bike and a cross-trainer. I'm not someone who is overly concerned about anything beyond burning calories and working up a sweat and I've always enjoyed those when I've gone to the gym. I need to find something that I can use daily, that doesn't feel like it's going to fall apart, that is comfy and is not synced up to some expensive subscription tat. I would really like to avoid spending more than £1000 in total BUT for the perfect machines I would consider it. Recommendations please!

I love my cross trainer!

I got it from local Facebook- I often see exercise bikes for sale. It might be a good starting point for you

As I assume you don't want to jump straight in with Pelaton!

We have a tread and a spin bike, both bought secondhand, but good makes (NordicTrack tread and Life Fitness bike). DH is very active, and runs and cycles outdoors, but likes the option of indoors during bad weather or dark evenings, or just for convenience. I'm also quite active, and even more of a fair weather exerciser, so use both. During lockdown my health insurance gave me a free trial to the Peloton app which I've used a lot, and really like, I'll likely keep it on when the trial ends next month, as it's about £13 a month.

I think as a previous runner, a tread makes sense for you, and would you also have space for a mat and some free weights if you have a second machine (our tread folds up, so that could create some space if you needed it).

My PT advised we buy the most expensive we could afford as the motor will go eventually, and a better motor will last longer. We've had both bits of equipment for years now (tread about 6 years, spin about 5), still going strong.

@BlueCowWonders what make is your crosstrainer? What do you like about it? And no - don't want a Peleton (or any subscription model).

@EmmaStone I'm back and forth about the treadmill - I'm not really a proper runner (basically I'm someone who runs to try not to be a lardarse) but I thought a crosstrainer would be better as it would work arms as well. There may be a tiny bit of space for storage at the back of the shed and there'll be a step wide enough for me to lay down and do mat work but that's not really my priority at the moment.

I always think a rowing machine gives you the most bang for your buck.

We have an exercise bike and a rowing machine. Both are great, but the rowing machine is my favourite and is good for working all areas of your body.
I know you don’t want an expensive subscription, so I’ll tell you about a fairly inexpensive one 😀 - but only if you have an Apple Watch.
I have Apple fitness+ £9.99 per month and great variety of workouts. I think the reason I lobe the rowing machine so much is because the two rowing trainers are especially great.

Another Peloton app user here with a spin bike. I balance the ipad in front of me and pedal away. There are tread, strength, yoga, Pilates, meditation, spin and probably more classes for £12.99 a month, usually you can have a free months trial. I would say maybe get one machine first and see how you get on, I’d go for dumbbells too to work on strength which will help with whichever machine you get. Many rowing machines stand up to store when not in used which would leave space for a mat for other workouts. Enjoy your gym shed!

Yy to a rowing machine. Actually unless you are into spin or pelaton I'd forget the bike. I have a bike and I just dont think it does much for whole body fitness. If I was you I'd get cross trainer and rowing machine. Much more core activation with the rowing machine.

I'd also get weights or resistance bands but I'm really a big fan of strength work.

I’d go for a crosstrainer and a multi gym which is what I have. Burn calories on the crosstrainer (I can burn 1500 in an hour while I’m watching TV) then build up your muscle groups and tone with the weights.

Something like this:
www.argos.co.uk/product/8943004
And
www.argos.co.uk/product/8630977?clickSR=slp:term:cross%20trainer:4:14:1
Or
www.argos.co.uk/product/8103789?clickSR=slp:term:cross%20trainer:12:14:2

The bike/crosstrainer looks pretty good and I’d have probably gone for that if I hadn’t already had a crosstrainer. I prefer a crosstrainer to a treadmill as it’s lower impact on joints.

Bloody love Peloton! Especially as they have Pilates and yoga on the app too. Other than that I like a treadmill and some kettlebells, that pretty much covers everything.

Treadmill and rowing machine

Spin bikes give you massive legs ime

Ah you see, you lot are PROPER exercisers! I am simply a fat bird trying to get less fat. Interesting that lots of people are anti-bike though? @SmashedAvocado thanks for those links - I was not going to consider a bike/crosstrainer hybrid but actually, now I start to think about it, it does make sense and leaves room for something else (maybe a rower if not weights?) I think I'm definitely not going for a treadmill - if I want to run, I'll run but may as well have something gentle on my joints...

I have a turbo trainer and Zwift which I use most days. I prefer it to a spin bike as I can then I clip my bike and take it for a ride! I have an assault air bike which is a killer machine that does work everything. I have a reformer Pilates machine, but they take up a lot of space. I have free weights, kettle bells & squat rack to do strength work. Personally I find rowing machines and cross trainers boring as I need a class or something to watch with people telling me what to do 🤣

I'm with you @ChampagneTastes not a dedicated runner but I know it keeps the fat at bay well if you keep at it! We have recently converted our garage into a home gym I have a relatively cheap Reebok treadmill (it does the job and I didn't want to spend thousands on a runner if I didn't use it). We also picked up a rowing machine in the Aldi special buys - their gym/fitness stuff is great. DH got a bl**dy big multi gym thing that takes up far too much space but my two bits of kit are folding so we still have floor space for weights etc. I really don't recommend a bike! Good luck!

Would you definitely use the machines?

An alternative could be a barbell weight set, resistance band, step and a subscription to something like Les Mills on Demand (it's only about 10 quid a month, I think it's great value) so that you have a much bigger variety of workouts and can mix things up. I am a bit evangelical about LMOD but it's because I get bored quite easily with exercise and there is just so much choice on there. I don't work for them by the way! 😂

🤣🤣🤣

Hands up I am a former fatty. I am also evangelical about les mills!!! Pump especially

Generally when you lose weight you lose fact and muscles, by introducing strength work you can balance that out somewhat and support your cardio. It's also really important if you have any weak joints. Building up strength to support your ligaments helps avoid injuries.

rowhire do very good spin bikes to hire, at least that way yo can see if you like it first before purchasing one - they also hire rowing machines.

I used to do spin at the gym and don't know any spin instructors with big legs or female cyclists with big legs - track cyclists build up their muscles with weights etc to compete

I have a spin bike two sets of dumbells and a £13 month Peleton app subscription
I am in nearly my best shape ever, exercising most days using a range of cycle/ strength and cardio classes from app. Also just started trying their 30 min coached runs outside - you put your headphones on and the coach talks and plays music
They also have yoga and Pilates that I don’t use but use the stretches and core classes
I could not recommend it enough constant variety and an ability to lengthen/shorter workouts to what time you have that day. All classes on playback and you can do as many times as you like

I bought a multi gym in first lockdown to improve core/overall strength and support my running.
Had Covid in January and thankfully back running a bit - C25K - as nervous to just go out for a run run it swim.
Love my multi gym but would love a Peleton treadmill or bike if only I had the room.
I gave my treadmill to my daughter to make room for the multi gym, I really really prefer running outside to on a treadmill.

If you see what I mean - not it swim

Concept 2 rowing machine. Cheaper if you are not sure you’ll use it enough. Absolutely great at all over workout. Best machine IMO and have lived with a cross trainer treadmill and bike before.

We are in the process of converting our garage into an exercise room (it will be a habitable room as part of an extension) and will be getting a water rower, as we are long-time home rowers but have made do with a cheaper machine until now. Our set-up will be rower, crosstrainer for variety and a floor area for weights, stretching and online workouts. For those who have crosstrainers, is headroom an issue?

If you already have a bike that fits you, how a out getting a turbo trainer for it? The basic ones don’t take up much room and more advanced ones can be used for Zwift or similar (not sure how, mine is a very basic Tacx).
I’d also vote for a rowing machine, preferably Concept2 or WaterRower, plus half an hour with someone who can check your technique. You can stand them up on end when they are not in use, so there is room to do weights/yoga/lie on the floor quivering. Concept2 used to do a hire-purchase scheme so you could check if you actually use it before forking out the full amount. There is also a good second hand market for them.

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08MVPFKBG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ascsubtag=944391972-311-1340576123.1617978011&SubscriptionId=AKIAJO7E5OLQ67NVPFZA&tag=mumsnetforu03-21 Don't suppose anyone has any experience of one of these? This is what I'm moving towards at the moment with possibly a rower to sit alongside it.

I'd have both peloton machines if I had the room - tread and bike. I have the bike and love it. The app is very good too.

I can't fit the tread anywhere (and actually like to run outside anyway). Also have weights and a kettlebell and do some of the peloton routines plus different yoga routines. I don't think I'd bother with a cross trainer - agree with pp that a rowing machine is better.