Elliptical? Treadmill? Stationary bike? Help! - 3 Fat Chicks on a Diet Weight Loss Community

GradPhase · 08-28-2009, 09:45 PM

Winter is fast approaching, and I can't fit in to any of my old "skinny" winter clothes still -- and I also can't walk past our bedroom mirror without wanting to kick it in

These cloudy, autumn days are getting pretty grim...

Without elaborating in to a long dramatic post and starting in on my seasonal "I hate Alaska" rant....

I'm working full time and in school full time, so going to a gym regularly isn't an option, and I live in Alaska, where it's miserably cold in the winter, so running outside isn't going to be an option soon either... so I'm here looking for advice on a good in-door, apartment friendly, cardio option for the winter if there is such a thing.

I've been dying to get a treadmill for a few years now and I *really* want to become a runner (I've got the c25k podcasts and LOVE them, enjoyed them all summer long on the local high school track!), but where we're at now is in a weird area of town, on the third floor, and I'm worried about my poor neighbors below me. I've since started looking in to the potential of a stationary bike or an elliptical trainer. I'd want to work out for approximately 30 minutes to an hour daily. Are either of these options feasible? For gaining straingth, endurance, burning calories, and literally working my butt off?

Please chickies, give me some insight and tell me there's hope!! Because today is feeling a little hopeless

Diva · 08-28-2009, 09:54 PM

Well, a Treadmill is definitely good if ya wanna run and do 5"ks and what not. I love treadmills. I've always HATED Elliptical's but lately I am finding myself drawn to them. I used to only be able to do 5 minutes, then 10 and now I am up to 30 and I find that I can go more miles and burn more calories in less time it takes me on a TM. Today I did both for 30 minutes and burned twice as much calories and went twice as many miles on the Elliptical than I did the TM. And everyone swears they are better on your knees, feet and hips than the TM so we'll see. As for the bikes, they bore me to tears so maybe someone can give insight there lol!

Good Luck!

nelie · 08-28-2009, 10:22 PM

My advice is if you have more than $1000 to spend, look at ellipticals, if not, look at treadmills and bikes. I personally hate treadmills and it would be the last thing I'd get but I like bikes.

jayjay77 · 08-30-2009, 12:19 PM

I do all of the above. If you want one for your apartment I agree that treadmill is the noisiest. I would check into the weight of each piece of equipment -- will you have to carry it up stairs? I like the elliptical better than the bike, but I think the bike maybe the lightest and easiest to transport if you ever move. I know there is also a way that you can take a regular bike and make it into a stationary bike (somehow my biker friends do this) -- that might work too and then you can use it as a regular bike in the summer.

Also a "gym quality" treadmill or elliptical will cost a lot, like $3,000 new. The bike may be cheaper or you may be able to buy a used treadmill or elliptical.

caryesings · 08-30-2009, 03:25 PM

Can you rent exercise equipment in your area? That's what I did when I was a college student as I didn't have the money to buy any that were good quality. In your case if that is an option it would let you find which one works for you and your apartment.

CJZee · 08-30-2009, 04:38 PM

If you haven't tried an elliptical, you should check it out before you buy. I know the elliptical is supposed to be "kind" to your knees, but it is the only machine of the 3 that bothers my knees. (I've never had any knee problems -- knock on wood -- so I quit using that puppy and stick to the treadmill and recumbent bike.)

harrismm · 08-30-2009, 05:03 PM

They are all good cardio workouts.So which exercise do you enjoy the most???If you are going to spend the money to own this piece of equipment, make sure its the one you enjoy doing the most.

GradPhase · 08-30-2009, 08:39 PM

I'm coming to terms with not being able to have a treadmill until I'm in a first floor apartment at least, for now. So I've been looking at getting a stationary bike or an elliptical from Craigslist or Target -- but I'm worried about whether or not the cheap ones (150-250 $s) are even worth the money? I know I certainly can't afford a gym-quality one, but is a target-quality one even worth investing in? And then, between the two, I've done both and enjoy both the stationary bike as well as the elliptical - so which of those are better for cardio and working out? Which is more beneficial? Is there much of a difference?

Thanks so much for your insight and taking the time out to respond, chicks

Aclai4067 · 08-30-2009, 09:42 PM

I love gym quality ellipticals, but I've never found a home quality one I like. I always feel like they're gonna break or flip over if I get going too fast. I know my sister's trainers for her half marathon told her if she's going to workout in a gym she should use the stationary bike, I'm not really sure why though. They recommended doing all her running outdoors or on an indoor track. Is there an indoor track anywhere that you could use?

Aclai4067 · 08-30-2009, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caryesings

Can you rent exercise equipment in your area? That's what I did when I was a college student as I didn't have the money to buy any that were good quality. In your case if that is an option it would let you find which one works for you and your apartment.

ooo, interesting. How did you go about finding a rental place? I have no idea where to look.