[shush]

Hello,
I'm looking for suggestions for the 20 min cardio segments on the BFL challenge.I only started 2 weeks ago and I've been jogging on a mini trampoline at home as it's not practical to go the gym for those sessions. I want to find something to mix it up with and i was thinking about investing in a rowing machine as the one at the gym really gets my heart rate up (exercise bike doesn't) but before I splash the cash i was wondering what you folks think would be best.

P.s Please don't say running as:
A. I live in a very "small" neighbourhood and i'm not ready to be the talk of the street.
B. I'm built for comfort not speed.

[RobertW]

I REALLY like the concept2 rowing machine and think it is an excellent choice for larger people.

[tobetheman]

If ur big the rowing machine is good but proper form is very very important. I would suggest a gazelle if it gets ur heart rate up personally, as I use it and it does get me sweating (and I do push it some cause I'm younger and a little less impatient, the last not a result of my youth). I like this thing and use it daily. If u don't like a bike which is also good try an elliptical besides the gazelle cause they are really good. Form isn't as strict to keep ur eye on as on a rower, for the ellipticals. If ur in good enough shape try jump rope which is a high impact one but burn a heck of a lot of calories. Good luck.

[Yoyonomore]

Step routines are inexensive and I find them low impact and challenging. I have an evileptical and I use it, but I am finding myself veering toward stepping. Not because it's easy, as I sweat more doing it than the eliptical. But it's so much more fun and I'm done before I know it. I hate being on the eliptical and watching the clock. The step routines just fly by and I can always buy a new workout if I get bored. Of course I stopped trying to get enough cardio in 20 mins. That just never worked for me. I have to do at least 30-40 mins 5 times a week to see results. Dang!

But if you go step don't get the shorter step like I did. The ab routines end up emplementing the step and the shorter one doesn't work so well. The longer one is a bit more expensive, but I would do it if I could.

Karma

[WaterRat]

My advice is if you go for DVDs is to get a few - I get really tired of them really fast. I have a lot of home equipment that doesn't get used. We have a bike, a trampoline, a rowing machine and about a dozen tapes. I do much better going to the gym - once I get there there's no distractions and a variety of things to choose from. But that's me - if you are disciplined enough to do it a home, my recommendation would be variety!

[4rabbit]

Hi,

I got a bike, a rowing machine and a treadmill. of these 3 the treadmill gives the most of a workout, if I look at my heartrate. The rowing machine is next, but I have to be carefull with it as it gave me a tenniselbow. You have to switch the grip on the handle often. My best bet would be to invest in a good heart rate monitor. The BFL cardio workouts are really short, and IMO they do not work unless you really have very high intensity, which I monitor with the heart rate meter. I bounced on the minitrampoline also, but this was noway as intense as compared to the rowing machine or the treadmill.

good luck,
rabbit

[sportmom]

I've always heard that weight-bearing exercise where you are standing is more of a workout than when you are sitting, like a bike or rower, so you may want to factor that in. I would vote for an elliptical or treadmill. Elips are cheaper, and no-impact. But if you think you may want to run someday, a treadmill would be good for working toward that goal.