Getting fit

[DrewChan]

I am in pretty good shape aethstetically, but fitness wise I suck - horribly- really 800 meters and I will fall down. I'm looking for something small I can use at home to increase fitness levels.

Are steppers any good? Stationary bike is nice, but takes up a bit too much space.

I need something I can use indoors - I have selective laziness- as long as my exercise equipment is in my home - I will use it.

Skipping is not an option - trying to go low impact

[cerebus]

Pushups are just about the single best (upper body) exercise you can do. Pullups as well if you get one of those hanging bars. But frankly you don't sound highly motivated or that willing to exert yourself, which is the sine qua non of fitness.

[DrewChan]

hey cerebus - already strong - do my pushups/pullups/abs/weights - have a whole set up - hence "good shape aethstetically"
I am talking clearly cardio on this one.

Motivation is not an issue - I know myself well - indoors and I will gym till the cows come home - just dont make me leave my flat ^_^

[Goobie]

Pushups are just about the single best (upper body) exercise you can do. Pullups as well if you get one of those hanging bars. But frankly you don't sound highly motivated or that willing to exert yourself, which is the sine qua non of fitness.

+1 what he said. If a fitness bike takes up too much space you pretty much stuck with a pull up bar as most other excercise equipment takes more space than a bike. Pull up bar is resistance training and not cardio which won't make you fit.

[cerebus]

http://www.powerplate.com/za/
Powerplates are pretty effective from what I hear. Can take less space than a bike.

[syntax]

So you want to get fit, indoors, using a space smaller than an exercise bicycle...
You have already ruled out skipping which is one of the only other options then.

Doing some work on a boxing bag is not bad cardio, but i doubt it will give you what you need.
Get a gym membership and do rowing and cycling there then...

[xrapidx]

http://www.waterrower.co.za/

[DrewChan]

Well the main point of this post was peoples opinion of a stepper as a form of cardio - yay or nay. If not I'll just get a bike- xrapidx - I like rowers but so much of $$$

Would love a punching bag but neighbours would complain

[Hemps]

Well the main point of this post was peoples opinion of a stepper as a form of cardio - yay or nay. If not I'll just get a bike- xrapidx - I like rowers but so much of $$$

Punching bag is your best bet, not that loud if you wear correct gloves.
Trust me when you start you wont last a minute, you'll know when your fitter when you can handle 5min of constant bashing.

[McSack]

Are steppers any good? Stationary bike is nice, but takes up a bit too much space.

Steppers take up just as much space if not more than a stationary bike. (and both are pretty expensive clothes horses in my experience )

[syntax]

Steppers take up just as much space if not more than a stationary bike. (and both are pretty expensive clothes horses in my experience )

I think a stepper is harder to get motivated on than a bike...might just be me..
I also find cycling on the spinning type bikes a lot better than on the general "exercise bike"

[DrewChan]

Punching bag is your best bet, not that loud if you wear correct gloves.
Trust me when you start you wont last a minute, you'll know when your fitter when you can handle 5min of constant bashing.

I used to do kick boxing I know the fitness required to work a bag properly - but all flats attached - it will go into both neighbours flats :P

[DrewChan]

Steppers take up just as much space if not more than a stationary bike. (and both are pretty expensive clothes horses in my experience )

You get the little mini ones for like R599 from Mr Price sport - but it looks like I might have to get a treadmill if I want to get "Running fit"

[syntax]

You get the little mini ones for like R599 from Mr Price sport - but it looks like I might have to get a treadmill if I want to get "Running fit"

I cannot stand treadmills..i get tired almost immediately on them, i get bored, they hurt my knee's..
I honestly prefer road running, its free, and i actually find it more beneficial

[[)roi(]]

Well the main point of this post was peoples opinion of a stepper as a form of cardio - yay or nay. If not I'll just get a bike- xrapidx - I like rowers but so much of $$$

Would love a punching bag but neighbours would complain

Steppers are crap, indoor bikes can be very boring, rowers are ok (generally machines just make it to easy to cheat).

I vote for a mix routine of punching bag, skipping rope, step aerobics (block step), cone drills, jumping lunges, jumping jacks, froggy jumps, squat thrusts (burpees), toe taps with jumps (using block step or a physical step), ...

Vary your routine, doing some sets on alternating days (better for the boredom
factor and also allows some time for the different muscles to recuperate).

Also make your set time based rather than number of reps. For a variation mix 3 routines; doing 10 reps, and the moving onto next exercise (group 3 together) and repeat for a minute, to increase intensity, increase reps, time and mix of exercises. Never stand around resting: rest either doing plank or crunches, or boxing, ...