Getting fit

D

DrewChan

Expert Member
Joined
May 19, 2010
Messages
4,937
Reaction score
3
Location
Cape Town
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
 
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.
 
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 ^_^
 
cerebus said:
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.
Click to expand...

+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.
 
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...
 
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
 
Last edited:
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 $$$
Click to expand...

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

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"
 
Hemps said:
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.
Click to expand...

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

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"
 
DrewChan said:
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"
Click to expand...

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
 
DrewChan said:
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
Click to expand...

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, ...
 
Last edited:
Boring is good - plop it in front of my TV and pedal enough to get my heart rate up :P I am not looking at becoming an athlete
 
DrewChan said:
Boring is good - plop it in front of my TV and pedal enough to get my heart rate up :P I am not looking at becoming an athlete
Click to expand...
Hahaha... I'm find with most people, the gadgets become ornaments.

Simpler is usually the best, to avoid being an athlete... Just keep either the duration of the session or time for each set down.

For example:
Lunge jumps x 10
Jumping jacks x 10
Toe touch jumps x 10
Repeat for 1 minute doing it as fast as possible.

Plank for 1 minute to relax and catch your breath. Followed by crunches.

Follow with next set of 3 simple cardio exercises for a minute.

Continue routine for 15mins to an hour depending on intensity you want.
 
Last edited:
Get P90X and do the Cardio video.

Unfortunately you need a little bit of space for it.
 
the cheapest form of cardio training at home you can get is an iOS (and possibly Android) app called Boot Camp. If you bundle this with a Nike+ Fuel band your motivation levels will be high enough to push through....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X