topic Re: Taking suggestions... in Wellness

Taking suggestions...

Mom2Dogs — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 21:58:10 GMT

We recently sold a Nordic Trac elliptical. DH had to much trouble with his knees to use it, and it was hard to use, took a lot of effort. I like to have some sort of exercise equipment in the house especially during the winter, and yes, I do use it....and he will to.

I am in no hurry to purchase right now as I/we will get out and walk this spring/summer. Looking ahead to fall/winter is there something that can be recommended? We are thinking a treadmill but again, no hurry to buy right now, thanks!

Re: Taking suggestions...

mom2four0418 — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 22:24:01 GMT

I own the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-E902 Air Walk Trainer Elliptical Machine Glider w/ LCD Monitor. It has a small footprint and is quiet, and low impact. I also have the Aeropilates which could be another option for you. Good Luck!

Re: Taking suggestions...

sidsmom — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 23:05:34 GMT

I’m a big proponent of buying a monthly membership to a

fitness facility and actually using it! 😀

Too many times, we try & save money by purchasing equipment

which falls into the ‘you get what you pay for’ category and

it’s not enjoyable to use or it breaks frequently.

Having a monthly commitment to a fitness center (for minimal $),

it allows you professional quality equipment...and so many more

options other than the one activity you are limited to in your

spare room. Plus it’s nice to have that group interaction by seeing

the same faces every day!

Check w/ your insurance to see if fitness/gym memberships

are included...or depending on your age, Silver Sneakers

might be an option.

Re: Taking suggestions...

fthunt — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 23:23:04 GMT

A treadmill will never - but - never cross my front door again. Don't know your ages but (good old) Nevada Senator Harry was injured badly on TM.....t just heard, this ,week, he lost eyesight in one. He was thrown against cabinets. And I gave away (free) a $1,000 TM after it 'threw' me to the floor. Better try one before buying.

Re: Taking suggestions...

Mom2Dogs — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 23:34:17 GMT

@fthunt, we had a treadmill years ago....we pretty much wore it out and we never had a problem, but thanks for the warning.

Re: Taking suggestions...

GAQShopr53 — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 00:20:20 GMT

This is probably one of the best pieces of exercise equipment I have ever invested in. I have terrible knees and purchased from HSN. It was invented by the same guy who invented the Teeter and is called the Teeter FreeStep Zero Impact Recumbent Cross Trainer (609-159).

Re: Taking suggestions...

september — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 01:33:54 GMT

I had a Nordic Trac at one time. It was ok... but in my opinion, the most versatile piece of home exercise equipment is an exercise bike.

Have had one for the past ten years. Went from a recumbant to an upright.

This is a backup exercise alternative for me. Walk, run, or hike outside most of the time.

Re: Taking suggestions...

hckynut — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 02:28:34 GMT

@Mom2Dogs

I have all of the equipment you have mentioned. 2 treadmills and an elliptical, and several others. What I use the most in place of walking and ice skating is 1 of my 2 Recumbent Bikes. I can get both leg strength and cardio from these machines, both at the same time when I choose.

Buy 1 that has a seat adjustment and that will place one's knees in a position so they never come close to a 90° angle to the quad muscle. My friend a Sports Med Orthopod that specializes in knee and hip repair and replacement recommends the use of recumbent to many of his patients, depending on their specific knee issue.

For me and my love of ice skating, the Recumbent is the perfect machine when it comes to replicating or simulating the leg strokes used in skating. With their back rests, they are also much more comfortable to use that a Stationary Bike.

I have an old Pro Form that I bought about 20 years ago at Sears, and although it is very basic, electronically speaking, it still works as intended very well in spite of many years of very hard use.

My newer Recumbent is made by True and it has most all of the computerized widgets, some of which I even use. I use the True for my Cardio and the ProForm strictly for doing by 1 leg quad strengthening routine. This helps keep my skating muscles, which also support and knee, strong enough to maintain my much younger ice skating speeds.

hckynut

Re: Taking suggestions...

LindaSal — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 13:12:51 GMT

I am a true believer in walking for health so I would go with a treadmill. I am not a bike person so I wouldn't buy one of those. I had one years ago and hated it. I'm sure they make them better now with a more comfy seat! As far as being thrown off the treadmill, that could be the fault of the user too. Accidents happen but you have to use caution when using any kind of machinery!

Re: Taking suggestions...

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 14:06:30 GMT

@LindaSal ...I agree about the treadmill, I do not understand how a person is thrown off one...but I do understand things happen, maybe the speed was to high?

Re: Taking suggestions...

Mom2Dogs — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 14:09:33 GMT

@hckynut thanks for the info. My husband likes the idea of the recumbent bike and another poster also recommended a similar item.

Ordering online will not work for him, he wants to try it out before buying. It's also good to know it is not hard on the knees, that is his issue.

Re: Taking suggestions...

LindaSal — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 19:34:52 GMT

@Mom2Dogs I would think so yes. Many times people think they can jog on them safely but that is something I wouldn't risk doing. Also could be a case of just not paying attention. We've had a treadmill in our house for 30 plus years and thankfully have never had a problem. Happy walking

Re: Taking suggestions...

1920712 — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 22:03:10 GMT

@Mom2Dogs Both DH and I use a Star Track Pro recumbant bike every day and just love it. We were able to purchase one that was reconditioned so that it wasn't terribly expensive. Our Dr. highly recommended that type of exercise for me. Being that I have severe rheumatoid arthritis and have also had both knees replaced last year, it really helps cardio without the pounding of our old treadmill. Best wishes

Re: Taking suggestions...

NicksmomESQ — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 22:07:52 GMT

I have a recumbent bike.It’s great.It’s easy on our backs & knees but gives us a great workout. I had to get rid of my treadmill & glider because of back & knee issues. We also walk 20 minutes a day.

Re: Taking suggestions...

hckynut — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 22:40:03 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@hckynut thanks for the info. My husband likes the idea of the recumbent bike and another poster also recommended a similar item.

Ordering online will not work for him, he wants to try it out before buying. It's also good to know it is not hard on the knees, that is his issue.

@Mom2Dogs

Don't know where you live, but if you have a store that sells Sports Equipment, I would think they would have Recumbents your husband can try out.

Gotta remember that seat position is what creates the angle percentage of the knee joint to the quadriceps muscle. That angle can, and does, make the difference in how any knee reacts to the resistance of pushing the pedals.

That is why riding an upright exercycle can actually be bad for anyone's knees. Anytime the knee joint is put in a 90° angle to the quad, and against resistance, it can be bad even for those with no knee issues. Same with standing squats or sitting leg raises, when using free weights or a machine.

My True is an expensive model, but I know the owner of the Sports store, and bought it for 60% of the retail price. It has a seat as comfortable as either of our cars, and the back adjusts the angle one wants, again just like our cars. The back is mesh which helps keep the sweating to a minimum.

My wife needs both of her knees replaced before long and my Ortho friend told her to use the recumbent or swimming to minimize the stress on her knees until she decides to have knee replacment.

Any questions, just ask and I will do my best to answer.

hckynut

Re: Taking suggestions...

sidsmom — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 23:14:35 GMT

@hckynut

Didn’t even think of Sport Equipment Resell.

Good idea!

May I add Facebook Market, Craig’s list or local eBay?

Re: Taking suggestions...

Mom2Dogs — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 15:11:14 GMT

@hckynut , we are trying to find a store within 75-100 miles that has a TEETER recumbent bike for him to try out. We don't really want to spend more than $500.00 but not sure we can find one at that price.

Most places I have looked at want to just ship to you..that's not gonna work for us.

Re: Taking suggestions...

mom2four0418 — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 15:16:32 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@hckynut , we are trying to find a store within 75-100 miles that has a TEETER recumbent bike for him to try out. We don't really want to spend more than $500.00 but not sure we can find one at that price.

Most places I have looked at want to just ship to you..that's not gonna work for us.

If you go to the Teeter website, they have a location finder for stores. The bike is selling for $750.00.

Re: Taking suggestions...

hckynut — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 15:50:21 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@hckynut , we are trying to find a store within 75-100 miles that has a TEETER recumbent bike for him to try out. We don't really want to spend more than $500.00 but not sure we can find one at that price.

Most places I have looked at want to just ship to you..that's not gonna work for us.

@Mom2Dogs

I didn't know Teeter made recumbents. I have his newer inversion table, and his portable piece of equipment. Will have to check his website and see what his recumbent models look like.

I would think I for $500 you could find a pretty good recumbent. ProForm usually have pretty good models without breaking the bank.

Buying a treadmill is much easier without having to take a test drive. Just knowing the specs like the length and width are the important things, of course the motor/belt and the roller sizes are the main specs. Recumbents need to be a good fit for those using it, especially if the user plans on spending long periods of time doing so.

Gotta get ready for my ice skating, Friday is 1 of my days. Hope you can find what you think will work for you.

ETA Just checked the Teeter Freestep(recumbent(?), not my type of recumbent. Looks more like an elliptical movement than pedaling a bike. My NuStep has a very similar type of motion, not even close to my recumbent.

I prefer "specificity" in my exercise machines, not a multi-muscle workout. That seat would not work for me as it looks too hard for my long rides.

hckynut

Re: Taking suggestions...

Mom2Dogs — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 16:43:13 GMT

@hckynut I found a store that carries both the Teeter and a ProForm 325 CSX, price runs around $470.00...it looks more like a bike.

You are correct the TEETER is more like a 'stepper'....which is why we got rid of the other piece of equipment, to hard on his knees. Thanks