ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

Thinking about possibly getting one of these to improve my general fitness while the winter months are here and I can't get out and about as much as I would like. I have never used one so have no idea if they're any good or not, so thought where better to ask than SNet.

Anyone got one or use one at the gym, opinions and recommendations please.

Jay Cartay

iTrader: (3)

If you want a really sturdy one, try and find a decent Nordic Track. They can be huge though!

the shreksta

iTrader: (20)

All you need to keep fit is a sledge hammer and a tractor tire, just keep smashing it until you can't carry on

hodgy0_2

an axe* and some wood


*actually chopping maul

Matteeboy

They are bloody expensive.

I'd look at

a punchbag - doesn't need much time to wipe you out.
home weights - doesn't need to be much, just enough to break a sweat
A pull up bar - excellent exercise for home
If you have a bike, a Turbo trainer - basically stick your bike on rollers.

Alternatively, get some good outdoor sports kit and run/cycle.

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

I have just done 4 cubic metres and have another 10 to do.

Got all of those except the turbo trainer and all in regular use.

I normally walk 10k can't run as my knee just balloons up after 2/3 times.

Problem being the local council in their wisdom have just put tarmac on my route and I hate walking on the black stuff as well as the risk of being run over now that it's a time trial stage for the local idiots, the other routes I could take are all mud baths at the moment due to stupid amounts of rain, so I'm after some steady 120 bpm activity to burn the fat I have collected recently, due to a busted ankle.

Shrek, I hump rocks and shovel sand and cement all day so no shortage of physical work.

the shreksta

iTrader: (20)

i always knew you were a ****ing wrong-un................kinky *******

theres loads of stuff you can do to get a sweat on,try throwing some punches whilst holding some small dumbells

Matteeboy

I think I'd favour a rowing machine then, especially if your knees are a bit dodgy.

the shreksta

iTrader: (20)

+1

rowing machine and a punch bag

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

I do all that sort of stuff as I've been into martial arts since I was 7yrs old, but I just want some steady fat burning, there's only so much punching and kicking you can do. The walking used to do that for me but my ankle has been knackerd for 18 months, it's back to normal ish just the odd twinge now, so bouncing around punching and kicking has been a bit of a no go, during that time and my heart lung fitness has suffered along with my waist line hence the wanting something a little steady that I can control the pace of and will go easy on my ankle.

I know eating less is part of the solution but when doing a physical job I need the carbs, salad ain't going to cut it.

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

Not seen a rowing machine out here and the punch bag is right behind me along with a speed ball and weights.

I came up with the cross trainer because I went to the local intersports and saw a few in there, a tad expensive but I was going to see if I could pick up a second hand one, just wanted to know if they were worth bothering with and what to look for in one.

the shreksta

iTrader: (20)

you should seriously consider a sledge hammer and a tire mate,it really gets the heart pumping and you can control the pace,you dont have to have a massive hammer just get a lightweight one

i use probably the biggest hammer available so i do 10 hits with a 15 second break and i do that about 7/8 times and by then im blowing out my fat ****.you dont even need to use a giant tire,i use a large tire for flipping aswell but you can use say an old lorry tire

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

Looks great but I'm nearly 50 yrs old and I have abused my body in more ways than I care to remember so high impact training is big no no, cant even play badmington or squash anymore.

The thing is I need to get into the fat burning zone of 120 bpm and stay there for at least 30 mins to lose the bit of flab I've collected this past year, it's really not due to a lack of physical stuff it's more to do with metabolism because I don't actually eat that much, I also eat quite healthily too, but I ani't no mouse and after a hard days graft I want me grub and a beer.

SJ_Skyline

Relax, it's only kinky first time!


I tried this but the wife had time to move out of the way

the shreksta

iTrader: (20)

hodgy0_2

Mmmm, I,ve just spent I minute of my life watching a bald dude hit a tyre with a sledgehammer

I might need to get out more

Osimabu

iTrader: (2)

Hodgy, you kill me - that was great!

My personal fitness instructor is very keen on cross-trainers, and they do get your heart rate up surprisingly quickly. I find it hard work (which is good) and it doesn't seem to adversely affect my wonky (also 50 year old) knees either.

SJ_Skyline

I don't really like cross-trainers as they give me pins and needles in my toes after about 10 minutes.

albob

I got one of these because of dodgy knees and the need to reduce the impact on them

http://www.tesco.com/direct/v-fit-2-...skuId=206-3815

I works just fine for the price - walk, jog or cycle (needs a bit of space tho'...)

thenewgalaxy

I've got one by Nordic Track. Awesome machine I bought it secondhand but unused. I've not lost any weight since I got it but I've put on a fair amount of muscle and noticed that I don't struggle carrying a child on my shoulders up hill and down dale anymore.

Best to have a look on eBay or Gumtree and see what's around, you'll need a van to pick it up though.

dpb

I picture eighty year olds on cross trainers, just about making it move, for several hours

What about this

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

Good little workout but again not really going to burn much in the way of fat, I don't need muscle training as I do that most days, I don't look like that guy anymore, but I don't wan't to either. As you can see by the work out he doesn't have particularly good stamina puffing and blowing after 2 mins because he's a weights man and it shows on his body. He'd be half dead on my 10k march by the time he got to the village 5k away, up hill and down dale, he'd look good while he was doing it though.

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

*Cough* still got a year and a half till I get to 50 old man.

Are you able to adjust the resistance level to make it easier/harder depending on how your feeling that day. When walking I'll march a bit take it easy and sometimes run a 100/200m at a time depending on how I'm feeling and just to make sure my heart keeps pumping, I'd like to be able to do this with a cross trainer too.

Osimabu

iTrader: (2)

Yes, the cross trainer I use has adjustable resistance. Sorry for muddling your age up!

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

No worries I'm not sensitive about my age, quite proud in fact as most people think I'm mid to late 30's.

Thanks for the replies.

hodgy0_2

I have a concept 2 rowing machine - and it is a very nice piece of kit - v smooth action etc

and free standing bike rollers too (they are brutal)

I do use it occasionally - but find my primary means of fitness is running (I appreciate you have dodgy knees)

running is just soo time efficient, and great to be outdoors too

but the concept 2 is pretty good, I try and do 5k in 20 mins (I used to do a bit of rowing on the Thames at school)

scoobydooooo

I've got one of these , really good , and a hammer and bicycle tyre , working my way up to the sledge and tractor
http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/...FYrHtAodVTEAKA

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

I hope that gobbles you off and makes the tea as well.

Osimabu

iTrader: (2)

Ha ha. That reminds me of my gramophone. I bought a Rega Planar 2 turntable back in 1997. For the price, Mrs O thought it ought not only to play the record, but take it out of the sleeve, put it on, and put it away in the cupboard afterwards too.

As it is, it doesn't even turn off when it gets to the end of the side, but by gum, my Bach and Schutz sound wonderful on it!

You can spend eight grand on a cross-trainer if you wish, but I assure you a few hundred quid will be quite adequate.

hux309

Fraid you don't, i work in a boning hall so pretty labour intensive and i function fine sub 100g carbs, i bump fats to compensate.

More of a you don't want to as you'll feel like crap.
You do to begin with until your body adjusts to it, i hate high carbs as it too makes me feel like crap.

For good rowers look at concept 2, cross trainers life fitness/precor