Getting back into shape with a home gym??

[Sparky]

Okay... so for the new year, I am resolved to get back into shape. It's been a few years since I've done ANY sort of work out.

With my schedule, I know that I won't make it into the gym. I've been doing push ups and crunches, etc. just to get back into the swing of things. I am going slow since I am not exactly 19 anymore.

However, I am interested in getting a home gym or something and do circuit training.

Anybody have some feedback on the various home gyms like Bow Flex, etc. ???

[Watchman]

Ive got the Bow Flex with the 410 pound resistance kit, in fact, I have every option that it came with.
I love it. In fact, I think its more of a workout than with free weights, due to the resistance going both ways. In two weeks my wife could tell the difference.

There is alot to be said for just walking in to a room and having being able to do just about every exercise known to man. Just a 30 minute a day sesion will do it. That thing wears me out more than any other Ive ever tired.
If I had to do it all over again, I would.

[RachelR]

Lifting weights is fine and good, but don't forget the importance of a good cardio workout too!

I didn't think I would like aerobics.. but I've become addicted! The instructor puts on some good techno music and it's almost like dancing (which I love anyway). Walking, running/jogging, etc.. are all very important in addition to weights.

[Sparky]

Watchman:

That's quite an endorsement! Thanks!

RachelR:

Yeah, I plan on doing circuit training which gives you a cardio workout.

You can do a low level circuit workout and then build up to whatever level you need to go to and incorporate other excercises.

http://www.brianmac.demon.co.uk/circuit.htm

I used to really like jumping rope. It really gets the heart going, you can do it in your backyard, it builds the leg muscles, and is also GREAT for hand/eye coordination.

[Dave T]

Sparky,

Like Watch, I have a bowflex that I enjoy very much. I have probably been using it faithfully for about 5 years and have found it to be flexible and offer a great number of seperate workouts.

I don't know much about your department but one of the things we puched for a few years back was a gym. We were fortunate enough to be able to build a very nice workout room in our main headquarters. In addition, our officers are able to take 1 1/2 hours every other tour to work out (depending upon current workload of course). Something to pursue perhaps.

What ever you buy - start slow. Too many people push it for a couple of days - feel sore and quit - only to let the expensive equipment gather dust in the garage. Which leads to my next point - look for a machine at local yard sales - they will probably be next to new and not carry the heafty price tag of a new bowflex.

Dave

[jellybean40]

I have the Total Gym 1000 and i love it. The only downside is that you do have to add on some equipment to do certain exercises. It was given to me as a gift, at the time i was planning on buying a Bowflex, i had heard they worked really well.

For the cardio, i walk.

[Sparky]

Souds like the BowFlex gets high marks?

They are a little expensive, but they have a monthly payment thing I am looking at.

That and keeping an eye on the garage sales. Good idea!

[ateamer]

For the price of a Bowflex, you could get an Olympic barbell and plenty of weight, dumbbell handles, power rack with pulley attachment and a bench. Even have some money left over for some extras.

[Tprspouse]

quote:

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Too many people push it for a couple of days - feel sore and quit

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You're supposed to be sore, that's the muscle's tearing and healing and reshaping. Your body cells regenerate all year long. If you tear your muscle, it's like your forming it into a new shape. Pain IS GOOD.

[Bob A]

My fitness program for the last 3 years has been 1/2 of a situp each morning. It has left me in nearly perfect shape (round). I decided that I would use free weights, bicycle, play basketball, and swim.

IMO, the reason we stop doing things like this is because we don't make it fun. We even call it a "workout" and then wonder why we don't want to do it after a 10 hour day (or for some cops, a 10 hour midnight shift and 4 hours trying not to fall asleep in court) What do you expect?

Running sucks and I did enough of that in the Marine Corps. I'm not naturally athletic, and I don't think Mr. Olympia is a realistic goal, but I'd like to be able to run farther than 1 block before getting winded.

[Darkwulfe]

I had the same problem last summer. I have been a member of the local gym in every city I have lived since high school, but lately (the last 6 months or so) I just never have the time to get all the way across town to go work out. So I looked into getting a home gym again. I owned a very nice Olympic free weight and bench set a while ago but lost it during a bad break up. I ended up purchasing a Bow Flex this time and love it! I canceled my gym membership and put that money towards the payment plan. I would highly recommend the Bowflex. If you get the right options it will do everything you need it to. It's pretty small for a home gym to and folds up and stores nicely. I have had it for about 4 months now and use it at least 3 times a week. Well worth the money. Yes, it is a little expensive compared to others but I really think you get what you pay for. If you are looking into the payment plan I would advise getting a loan through your bank or charging it to your credit card and making payments to it instead. The payment plan through bowflex is basically a credit card with over 23% interest. I made one payment then transferred the balance to a credit card with half the interest rate.

[ateamer]

quote:

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Originally posted by Bob A:
IMO, the reason we stop doing things like this is because we don't make it fun. We even call it a "workout" and then wonder why we don't want to do it after a 10 hour day (or for some cops, a 10 hour midnight shift and 4 hours trying not to fall asleep in court) What do you expect?

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It's all a matter of motivation. How badly do you want to improve? I know lots of guys who go to graveyards and use it as an excuse to get out of shape. Funny, graves didn't seem to stop me from increasing every lift.

Try training before work. If you don't have court, go to bed right after coming home from work, sleep all day and you'll have a couple hours after waking up to get going before hitting the gym.

I find that I am more proactive, alert and do a better job on nights that I lift before work. Probably from the adrenaline flow and also the mind is forced to work harder to lift the heavy weights.

[JRT6]

I do not like the Bow Flex as it has no "negative" resistance and studies have shown time and time again that the negative(the lowering of the weight0 is as important if not more than the positive(the raising of the weight).

I have a Pilates machine in my basement and struggle to use it. For me there's no atmosphere in my basement and it just kills my motivation. I also use a little weight and need someone around. I also enjoy socializing at the gym. My gym is five minutes from my house and I'm there in back in 90 minutes tops every other day.

[Darkwulfe]

quote:

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Originally posted by JRT6:
[QB]I do not like the Bow Flex as it has no "negative" resistanceQB]

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Not true, if you use it properly the bowflex provides the same negative resistance as free weights just without the inertia created by gravity. The concept is the same, only the actual way the resistance is delivered is different. Free weights use gravity, the bowflex uses true resistance.

[ 01-02-2003, 06:33 AM: Message edited by: Darkwulfe ]

[Tprspouse]

I've come to realize that exercising in the morning on an empty stomach is the best time for me, personally. I have the rest of the day to myself and come nighttime, I can't chicken out or blow it off.