Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

If you were to going to invest in one exercise machine,

49 replies

WinkyWinkola · 14/07/2008 08:53

which would it be in order to keep up aerobic fitness and maintain weight?

  • Running machine?
  • Cross trainer?
  • Bike?

I find them all equally boring but I've got some wedding vouchers left and would like to have something at home so I can fight the flab without having to shell out for a babysitter while I go to the gym.

Any recommendations?

OP posts:
maidamess · 14/07/2008 11:10

Quint its here. come join!

poshtottie · 14/07/2008 11:20

I quite fancy a power plate but they are quite expensive.

SSSandy2 · 14/07/2008 11:44

those rowing machine things, wouldn't you get overly wide shoulders from them (as a woman I mean, I'd like them on a man)

Taut stomach muscles sound good though, thing of the distant past here

hatcam · 14/07/2008 11:44

morning

poshtottie - buggyfit in windsor & ascot, I love it especially when I'm working on my suntan at the same time like today!

at the waterrrower, I'd love one although it won't do me much good right now as am 28 weeks pregnant.....

Highlander · 14/07/2008 15:55

we've bought a rowing machine which is ace (concept II). Set at resistance 6, doing 6000m in 30 mins feels as good as a 5km run

Original poster
WinkyWinkola · 15/07/2008 10:44

6000m in 30 mins? Blimey. I think it would take me 3 days to do that.

I'm now convinced that a rowing machine is the way for a trim tum and firm bottom. We're going to get one!

Thanks for advice all.

OP posts:
Highlander · 15/07/2008 14:37

get an iPod. Completely removes the boredom!

Gizmo · 15/07/2008 14:45

Another one in favour of a rowing machine - it will burn more calories than anything else and give you a better all over workout.

BUT!

Find someone who rows (well) to show you how to use it: technique is all important with these things, otherwise you'll get an injury or just find you don't get any exercise. Also be aware they are very noisy: you'll need to turn the telly up if you're watching from the other side of the room.

I'm pretty sure they won't do much for your stomach, tbh, but they won't 'widen' your shoulders particularly, just tone your arms and generate rock hard legs and arse.

CountessDracula · 15/07/2008 14:50

Power plate
allegedly
I have no idea what htey are but I hear they are amazing

Gobbledigook · 15/07/2008 14:51

We have a Concept II rower but I would LOVE a treadmill - a decent one.

Having our back room sorted out soon so will turn it into a gym (har de har).

hatcam · 15/07/2008 17:56

afternoon

don't bother with the power plate, it's a real fad! The company that originall made them tried to push them about 7 years ago in gyms, without much success. Has taken off a bit more this time around, but it won't give you any type of cardio vascular workout so no workout for heart and lungs/no fat burning!

greenlawn · 15/07/2008 18:47

Really wouldn't buy home cardio equipment - prefer the gym as the equipment there is better than I could ever afford - but I have a swiss ball that I love at home and a yoga mat.

Those powerplate things remind me of the toning table fad you got in the 80's - even my mum was prepared to give those a go (and that's saying something).

expatinscotland · 15/07/2008 18:48

What greenlawn said.

If I do cardio at home it's with a low-impact aerobics or step DVD.

flack · 15/07/2008 19:15

Bicycle -- non stationary one.

thumbwitch · 16/07/2008 01:00

Gizmo - if you use the rowing machine properly, i.e. as if you were really rowing, it should help tone the tummy as well. One of the reasons for getting rowers like the concept as opposed to the cheap/different style rowers.

tb73 · 16/07/2008 01:12

A proper pair of running trainers and a running partner.

An hour out of the house 3 times a week, fresh air, with a like minded mum - one of the best investments I've made so far!

poshtottie · 17/07/2008 11:00

I used a startrac crosstrainer yesterday in the hotel gym where I was staying. Complete with tv screen and fan.

sarah293 · 17/07/2008 11:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

sarah293 · 17/07/2008 11:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

heavy · 17/07/2008 11:11

costco sells good quality exercise equipment at reasonable prices if you have one near you. Probably wouldn't take your wedding vouchers though - maybe you could get someone to buy the vouchers off you. You would probably save a couple of hundred quid getting an expensive bit of kit from costco.

OrmIrian · 17/07/2008 11:15

Pair of running shoes

No, OK, not strictly machinery but best investment I ever made.

Gizmo · 17/07/2008 11:22

Thumbwitch

I hear you - just never worked for my body. Sadly, despite many years of rowing, tummy was virtually only bit which wasn't toned.

Now yoga: that should do serious things for the tummy. But again needs an instructor to really help you on the way.

Gizmo · 17/07/2008 11:26

Mind you, I was never coached to put a great deal of body lean at the finish - the theory was that for women, it would only weaken the finish and cause you to pop your blade out early as your body 'collapsed'. On a rowing machine, that's hardly relevant, so I guess you could put as much body lean in as you want.

ilai · 09/04/2013 12:31

hi hattie
are you still running buggyfit in windsor? would love to join but cannot find your number anywhere. mine is 07751760625
ciao ila

New posts on this thread. Refresh page