December 24, 2006
New Years Equipment
The whole gym membership thing is not working out for me. The gym is a 1/2 mile from my house, and I'm wasting $45 a month on the membership. I don't particularly like this gym and it is obvious, I do not go.
When I do go, I spend most of the time on the elliptical machine, my favorite machine. I usually spend anywhere from 30 - 60 minutes on it. I think I like it the most as the "calories burned" happen to be double any of the other machines I have tried.
However, my stepmom has me interested in this Couch-to-5K Running Plan. She wants me to run a 5K with her in March. I've seen the results and she looks GREAT! And I've always wished I was a runner. But I am not. I'm not sure if it's an endurance thing, an attention span thing, a laziness thing...or a combination of all of them. But I've never been a runner.
So, I have decided I am either purchasing an elliptical machine or a treadmill. The question is which one...
So before I make the big purchase, I am open to recommendations and personal preferences.
Posted by Sissy at December 24, 2006 01:10 PM | TrackBackI'd go with the elliptical for myself. It's just easier on the body. And when you get bored you can go backwards to change things up a little.
Posted by: sticks at December 24, 2006 01:59 PMelliptical... but the good ones will seriously set you back. They cost some serious cash.
Posted by: Bou at December 25, 2006 12:37 PMTell me more of this couch "exercise" plan. I am interested. Is there a book I could read or something?
Posted by: Ogre at December 26, 2006 09:50 AMThink it is more about what 'you' prefer; elliptical or tread mill. Walking the tread mill for 30 minutes is something I do every morning. I know its not much time but I tend not to skip because it is short. Have had it for years and yes there have been long periods when I gave it up but here I am using it again. Good luck with what ever you decide...it's just making the time and keeping in your schedule.
Posted by: h~ at December 26, 2006 10:25 AMlove my elliptical. and it's better on your joints in the long run.
email me about it.
Posted by: caltechgirl at December 27, 2006 02:19 AMAdvice on running in the 5k - Ignore your legs, focus on your breathing.
When you start, breathe in for 4 steps, then breathe out for 4 steps.
Shrink the number as you progress.
I've had runs where it got to the point where I was breathing in and out on each step, but I didn't quit - just focussed on breathing.
Posted by: Harvey at December 27, 2006 06:12 AMWish I could run - but my legs won't let me - I get shin splints so badly I can hardly walk. It's a physical thing that can't be helped by shoes or surface, I had it checked out by an ortho guy. So I go with other forms of exercise.
I've found that when you find something you really love doing - you tend to not skip it. For me it was my tai chi class. I like my pilates, but even with the cost associated with it - I don't "mind" missing it like I did my tai chi class.
As for the elliptical vs the treadmill - I'd have to go with the elliptical - the treadmill makes me dizzy and there are always shin splints. LOL. Then I'd have to put an "appointment" in my treo every day so I would actually do it as opposed to just thinking about it.
Good luck with the decision - and keep looking for that class that resonates with you... after all, you don't just have to stick with one single thing, nor do you have to belong to a gym.
Thanks a lot for such a wonderful site i see that you created it going the whole hog!!
- andwhatnext.mu.nu e
spaghetti alla carbonara
