What equipment do you have at home

**msmartini** · 09-30-2007, 03:59 AM

I'm curious as to what exercise equipment everyone has at home. I have a treadmill... which I love! But am considering adding another piece for variety. Which of these 3 would you add next? Do you have any of them and do you like them or use them often?

I'm looking at a Gazelle, an eliptical and a weight bench. Help me decide please!! I guess I should tell you I have one knee that doesn't like me much... which makes me curious about the eliptical. So which would you add? and if possible, why?

**jessielynn0521** · 09-30-2007, 02:25 PM

I have a gazelle and a treadmill and I use them both pretty regularly. I know that Kimber has an elliptical that she just loves as well as a treadmill. One of the girls (tgarcia) got a home gym weight thing and she was really enjoying it. I think alot of it is personal preference. Do you go to a gym where you can try the different stuff out to see which you like best?

**msmartini** · 09-30-2007, 03:37 PM

Thanks for the info Jessie!

No, I'm not currently a member of any local gyms. I've learned that for me, I have to do this here for a few different reasons. First, I can't stand that clique-ish feeling of gyms. I feel bad enough about myself that I don't need the snobby, OMG look at her, people talking about me right in front of me.

And then there's the problem of only having the Y here which stays packed from open to close... I know, that's more information than what's needed for this reply...

Anyhow, back on topic! I've used all 3 and am just looking for the next step as I'm sure in the coming months, I'll be adding all of them. I'm leaning towards the gazelle. I'm somewhat fearful as to how my knee will hold up on the eliptical at this stage. I'm sure once I drop more 'bulk', it will fair better.

I know I'm going to have to add strength training into my routine at some point. Probably sometime soon... but maybe for now I'll just get the gazelle and a ball with some light weights. Then work my way up to a home gym instead.

Okay, I think between the 2 of us... I've figured it out!!

Thanks a bunch!!

**katiedeschenes** · 09-30-2007, 06:28 PM

I have rheumatoid arthritis so being able to do exercise that is low or zero impact on my joints is really important to me. I had very good luck with a treadmill years and years ago and I wanted to get one of my own but they are way too expensive for me. So I checked out the gazelle. I just have the basic model which was $85 at walmart at the time. I've had for couple of years but only started using it regularly and long term back in march. It is wonderful on my joints. I started out only being able to do a quarter mile on it at a time and slowly worked my way up. The most I ever did at once was 3 miles but I do 1 mile without any problems and much faster now than I've ever been able to. I went from no less than 20 minutes per mile to now 11 minutes 30 seconds. I can do 2 miles in 24 minutes on the gazelle.

I try to use it 3 times a week at least but if my knees or ankles or feet are hurting, I don't exercise. so sometimes it turns out I only exercise once or twice per week. On the days when I can't use the gazelle, I do use the hand weights a lot. Plus, every night before I go to bed, I do a lot of leg stretches in bed (I can't get on the floor due to bad knees) and I think that helps.
From an arthritis point of view, I think the Gazelle is the best thing for us. I know everybody wants me to do the water aerobics but my schedule and availability of those water classes make it impossible. I do recommend that you find a way to try out the different machines before you buy one. That way you'll know what will work with your knee.

One draw back of the gazelle are the foot pedals. They have little lumps on them that are supposed to keep your feet from slipping off but that doesn't work for me. And those lumps hurt my feet on days when my feet are extra sensitive. So look at the gazelle in person, get on it and see if you can stand the lumps. There's some type of padding you can buy to put on your shelves or something, I bought that to wrap around the pedals but never put it on. I can get by without it. I think I just need better sneakers.

Anyways, if money is an issue and can try it out, I love my Gazelle edge. Best $85 I ever spent. My mom has one of those ecliptical things and I have used it, but its too awkward for me, short legs are killer. lol
sorry, this turned out so long. lol Good Luck and let us know what you chose!

**jessielynn0521** · 09-30-2007, 06:30 PM

I do see what you are saying, once you lose some more weight you may have less knee trouble and the elliptical machine might be better at that time... but for now the gazelle sounds like it will be good for ya!

smartchandra · 10-02-2007, 07:36 PM

I really don't have an equipment. What do have is aerobic tape called walk away the pounds and two 5lb weights. Everything else I do I just kinda do on my own. I am thinking about investing in a treadmil or cycle.

**squeekie** · 10-02-2007, 07:58 PM

I have a treadmill and a stationary bike. I've gotten lazy and haven't used either lately but when I was really into it I preferred my bike because I could pop a movie in and ride through the whole thing. The most I can take on the treadmill is an hour.

**squeekie** · 10-03-2007, 08:11 AM

Smartchandra--if you're deciding between the two you should consider the bike. It's less expensive, it takes up less room, it's easier to use (easy on your joints) and it's quiet. After all, a calorie burned is a calorie burned---you don't have to kill yourself---you've just got to move!