The March challenge couldn't have come at a better time. Though I've been pretty good about keeping on track eating healthily, I've completely let exercise go by the wayside lately. I need to get back on the saddle again.
I've been thinking about getting an elliptical machine at home. A gym membership is part of our benefits program at work, so my monthly payments are very minimal, but I just can't seem to drag myself there after work. I've been thinking that having equipment at home is a better solution. I wonder though if it's too easy for it to become "invisible" if you see it at home every day.
Does anyone have any thoughts on the pros and cons of going to the gym vs. having equipment at home?
Trying to balance academic life with a healthy lifestyle.
4 comments:
I have a piece of equipment at home. (I wish I could say that has helped me use it more....) I figured the one time investment + convenience would offset a gym membership. But I also have an aversion to the gym/public exercise/interrupting my day to shower, etc etc etc. This way I can work out at the end of the day at home with loud music and then shower in my own shower. I recommend it. I got mine at a big sale, around this time of year actually. You should keep your eyes out for a good sturdy piece that will last.
I have both. I have a treadmill and all kinds of weights in my basement.(It's a finished basement). It's nice to have when I don't feel like going to the gym.
My husband and I got the gym membership in December as a means to get out of the house. It is so crappy where I live during the winter that I will use any excuse to get out of the house. Plus, I can use different equipment. We have a membership at the YMCA, which is nice because it does not have all the "distractions" of a regular gym
I agree with Psycgirl. If you do decide to purchase a piece of equipment, you should get something study. Be prepared to shell out some money though. If you are not sure what to buy, try Consumer Reports. They are an awesome resource and have a great website.
Just chiming in with my $0.02... I have an elliptical at home, and it is fantastic. I love how staring at it makes me feel incredibly guilty if I don't actually use it, and I love that I can use it whenever I want with whatever I want on TV. I tend to get home from lab late, so I'll start prepping dinner, and then hop on the elliptical for 30 minutes while dinner is in the oven.
We're on to our second elliptical, so I'll vouch that you get what you pay for -- a cheap elliptical will not last very long. Also, if anyone who will be using it is on the large side, do heed the weight limit -- our first one probably broke much sooner than it would have because it was only slated for 225 lbs and my other half was over that when we started using it. We found a good deal on the NordicTrack AudioStrider 990 and have been really pleased with it.
lol at "it's march?" I feel the same way!
I personally don't like working out at a gym. I used to work at one and know how much people watch other people, and I know I just don't work as hard.
I've done a ton of research on ellipticals and what's the best. I recommend getting a (or at least looking at a) Sole machine (E35 seems to be the best buy, though we're considering the E55.) Overall from all the sites I visited and playing around at the store, this brand has the best review. When speaking with "experts" at the store, he said that's the brand he would buy too--and he's a trainer. Stay away from the cheap brands at dick's.
I spent several days straight looking at all this! :)
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