I'm thinking of buying a stepper exercise machine.

[RedDoughnut]

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?

@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.

@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.

What's your diet like OP?

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

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!!

@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.

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.

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

Does the rest of your family exercise, OP?

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 !

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.

.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

but a home gym wouldn’t work for you

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

@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

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 but I can do it when it's too dark, too cold or too wet to get out and about.

I'd love a treadmill but I can't afford one or store one.

Do you take a lunch break? Do a workout then

I don't know why people are being so negative, any movement is better than no movement. If you think you'll use it and you can afford and store it, give it a whirl. I would assume you've thought about going for a walk instead and think you are more likely to do this.

Go for a walk or run or the gym op - yes I've read you don't like going out in the dark. Get a high Viz and reflective gear. Suck up the drive to a gym and combine it with another journey.

It's not like you're spending quality time together if everyone's just staring at the TV is it. Being fit and healthy will mean you're around longer term for your family.

Instead of the family watching tv, go for a walk altogether? Maybe not every day, some days it's just you (walk/ gym etc) and other days you do together.

I inherited an ancient exercise bike, which I use in the winter evenings, shove something on the TV, set the resistance to maximum and pedal away for an hour. It's great for when I can't run (if I have an injury) - I prefer running because I have the dog to exercise at the same time, but I am very fond of my static bike! It's not noisy (apart from my puffing) and it tucks away behind the sofa when I don't need it. They can often be found fairly cheaply (because people buy them and then never use them!).

you get up early and do you tube videos

they are brilliant

and you do brisk walks (gently leading to jogging)when weather is good, which as a runner… i manage to get out regularly because this country is generally pretty mild!

but is it weather or is is not wanting to leave your adult children that means you don’t want to go out? not clear

@brocollilover
It's so kind of you to take such a persistent interest in my quest to get fit.

I work long hours. I don't have any capacity to do meaningful exercise before work.
Im glad you have a microclimate of light and warmth where you are.
For many months I start and finish work in the dark.

@Getorganized I'd like to have the time to go to the gym after work but it's 40 minutes away, see my many posts on my 12 hour working day. I'd never see my family.

Which is why I asked for opinion on a small exercise machine.
That seemed a simple question.