Houston, I have a problem...

[Mr. Bloom]

I burned out my elliptical machine

So, what to do? Get a real bike and mount it on a trainer? Get a new elliptical to maintain variety in exercise? Get something like a rower to enhance my back and abs?

I can't tolerate "impact" exercises like running...

What would you do?

[LBTC]

Depends how much room you have, and how much money you want to spend.

The only cardio machine in our house - the trainer for the bike, and the stairs

We also have a pretty good universal style gym, a variety of freeweights, several exercise balls, exercise tubing, the cheapest of all possible wobble boards, a skip rope (our ceilings are too low to use it inside, though), free weights from 5 - 30 pounds, and the latest item, an Everlast 75 pound heavy bag that DH had to mount with a pully and hitch system since we don't have the room for it to stay up all the time.

There's so much variety in the things you can do.

Han-grrl says it best though. You have to do the workout you love. What do you like using the best?? If the elliptical is fun for you (it must be, you burned it out already!!), better replace it!

Good luck making your choice! And let us know how it goes,

~T~

[silver]

Mr. I think that you should consider replacing it as soon as possible. Maybe go higher value this time?

Or what about joining the Y?

[Blueberry]

What will you enjoy doing inside?

I hate to ride a bike on a trainer - I'd probably use an elliptical machine more (if I'm riding, I want to be outside). LBTC is right - if you used it enough to burn it out, you might want to get another Ellipticals do a nice job on arms and indirectly help abs some. I think you can get a better ab/shoulder workout in other ways (e.g. weights and a balance ball) than a rowing machine. I'm not a big fan of using those either (I can do other things for longer/higher intensity, so I burn more calories).

So...think about what you want to do for exercise and when you want to do it. If you think you'd go to a gym, join one. If you jump on the machine in the house when you really don't want to face the world (ahem - I do that), then get something for your house.

CA

[Meaux]

I can honestly say I hate the trainer, but it's good work when I'm not able to ride outside. DH and I did pilates last night with the body band for the 1st time. (Probably amusing to watch as we have a tiny living room and he's 6'3") It's great exercise for the core!!

[Mr. Bloom]

I'm glad to hear the feedback on the trainer...I highly suspected that it just wouldn't feel right.

I've pondered the "Y" as an option, but I really hate crowds and my schedule requires that I use it at peak times.

I think I'll look at replacing the elliptical and getting something for weight training.

Any recommended products?

[crazycanuck]

Hmmm...I agree with madame silver..Join the Y..only because i want to hear all the stories about the folks that go there...


can you do the Y M C A?

c