Treadmill question

[OnionPatch]

I use a treadmill in our gym at work. It's really nice...automatic with all sorts of bells and whistles. Sometimes, though, I don't have time to stay after work for exercise and I often wish I had a treadmill at home. However, there is no way on Earth I can come close to affording the kind they have at work. I may be able to afford a manual one for a few hundred bucks.

My question is this: Will I be disappointed? Do the manual treadmills work well or are they a pain? Thanks for any input on this.

[Longhorn]

1. I had one years ago -- the Jane Fonda treadmill -- and I didn't like it.

I think you should be able to pick up a good electric one for next to nothing on Craig's List or at a garage sale. People are always buying those and then selling them when they don't end up using them. I had a pretty good one from Sears years ago that I either gave away or sold for 50 bucks -- I can't remember. I wish now that I had kept it but that was before the "empty nest" and I didn't really have a good place for it, especially when I quit using it. I have an exercise room now so at least it wouldn't be in the way when I'm not using it! ;)

[OnionPatch]

3. Great idea!

I hadn't thought to look for a used one. Thanks.

[pamela]

2. Get a mini-trampoline instead.

I bought a really nice one on eBay for under $100 about a month ago and I LOVE it. It's better exercise than walking or jogging and so much fun. NASA calls it the perfect exercise because it burns more calories, strengthens your bones, is low impact and works at a cellular level.

[OnionPatch]

4. I had heard about that.

I think that doctor Weil guy recommends trampolines. The only problem is that I don't have high enough ceilings in this house to jump up and down on a trampoline or I would definitely try that. I'm menopausal, so strengthening bones is a big priority for me. Oh well. Walking is pretty good, too.

[pamela]

5. My ceilings are low, too.

My husband keeps saying that he's going to come home one day and find me with my head stuck in the ceiling, lol. You don't really jump, though, not like you would do on a traditional trampoline. It's kind of hard to describe but you're really just bouncing. It's a really nice workout-very low impact, but I can definitely feel it in my calves and thighs and butt. I use light weights sometimes and then use my arms to get the bouncing motion. I've only had it for a few weeks and I usually just bounce for 10 to 20 minutes a day but I'm losing weight more quickly than I've done for years.

Sorry if I'm sounding pushy. I hate people that start an exercise program and then try to convince everyone that they should be doing the same thing and I'm becoming that person. I just really feel like I've hit on the perfect exercise because it's such a good all-around workout and so much fun. I laugh a lot while I'm doing it which is not something I ever thought I'd be doing while exercising.

:bounce: <- me

[OnionPatch]

7. So you think

I could do it with 8 foot ceilings? I'm 5'9"....I'm thinking along the lines of your husband. :)

I really would try it if I thought it would work here. I'll have to try one out somewhere.

[pamela]

9. I think so.

I'm 5'7" and have 8 foot ceilings. I've never come close to hitting the ceiling while on it, not even the few times I was trying to hit it. hehe

That's a good idea about trying one out first. If you decide to get one, pm me, and I'll give you some tips on buying one.

[WhollyHeretic]

6. I love my exercise bike

I bought a nice Schwinn on clearance a few years ago. I either watch some TV or read while doing it(it is smooth enough to read on and has a little book/magazine stand)

I used to have a treadmill and much prefer the bike.

[OnionPatch]

8. I have an exercise bike and enjoy it

I bought it not long ago, but whenever I use it much, it aggravates a lower-back problem I've been having. Before it, I had a small stair machine that I liked using but it never failed to stir up my old knee injury! x( The one thing that I've been able to do regularly without any painful side-effects lately is walk. I'm hoping I can get back into shape on the treadmill, then maybe I'll be able to do the other things again. I'm hanging onto the bike....