Home exercise equipment

[MoneyGuy]

I’m looking for ideas for home exercise equipment. We were planning on getting a recumbent bike but now we’re thinking something more full-body. Space is small so a smaller footprint is required. We aren’t in Calgary so would appreciate recommendations for a chain or online store.

I'm a swimmer, but the next best thing is a rowing machine! I got a Concept rower last year and it's awesome! It's meant to be like 80% legs, but you can play around with technique and use the arms a bit more. I like it because it's less impact of running on a treadmill and doesn't hurt my ###ayjay like a bike seat does. It is long but splits in 2 easily enough.

Edit: Wow! V-A-J is a banned word? Really????!!!

[red sky]

Originally Posted by Puxlut

I'm a swimmer, but the next best thing is a rowing machine! I got a Concept rower last year and it's awesome! It's meant to be like 80% legs, but you can play around with technique and use the arms a bit more. I like it because it's less impact of running on a treadmill and doesn't hurt my ###ayjay like a bike seat does.It is long but splits in 2 easily enough.

We are still talking about the rower, right?

[ah123]

Have you considered a rowing machine? We got one late last year, and I have noticed it working my upper body and cardio. Some models can be stored upright so they take very little room when not in use

EDIT: check out Rogue Canada if if you can’t find anything in local stores.

[Huntingwhale]

I bought a bunch of stuff from Fitness Depot on Blackfoot Trail. At the time they had some good sales on squat racks. I went back to stock up a couple times and I found them to be pretty good. Not sure if they ship out of the city though.

I bought both my ab wheel and door frame chin up bar from Amazon. Both good items to have if you don't have a lot of space

[Baron von Kriterium]

Heavy bag, boxing gloves, body weight exercises. Simple, cheap and very effective.

[McG]

I have a concept2 rower and I’ve put over 3 million meters on it personally.

I stopped doing the monthly challenges, Covid boredom I guess, and then work got crazy and I stopped my morning 30 minute maintenance rows. I didn’t think that it was having much effect to do or stop my “maintenance rows”.

Since I stopped at the start of the new year, I notice that my tshirts are tighter and belts are tighter too. Boo! So I’m going to start again today. My beer drinking and food eating are down so I know that it is the rowing.

My point was that rowing, even for 30 minutes per day, affects me physically a lot. I miss it when I don’t row. My Apple Watch fitness app must rate me now as “pathetic” from the calories that I am down to for daily burned amounts.

Word of warning though. My entire family, wife and teenagers, all despise the rowing. Hate it. So be sure that it is for you and your wife before you buy. All of the goodness of fitness equipment is lost if you don’t do it, no matter what it is.

One thing to mention on the rower is that you can amend the air resistance to “shape” your boat from pencil thin to a big wide row boat. It has an effect.

[Kybosh]

For minimal space I’d recommend:
- a rowing machine that can be stood up against the wall when not in use
- a set of resistance bands of varying resistance
- a set of kettlebells (low weight up to maybe 35 lbs)
- a set of dumb bells from 5 to 25 lbs
- a mat
- a stiff foam roller
- a lacrosse ball
- a bench is handy
- something to hang from or do pull ups on (could be a door pull up bar even)

You can do a ton with those things.

[Winsor_Pilates]

The answer is whatever equipment you will actually use.
Be honest with yourself about what you'll be motivated to use.

For example, some things are easier to go at low intensity while watching a hockey game and thats a better option for some.

Other things like a heavy bag are awesome but you need to be fully into the workout and do it with intensity to get good results.

I would also suggest getting a few dumbells or kettlebells and keeping resistance training in your routine. Cardio alone isn't optimal for any physical goals.

[MoneyGuy]

Thank you, everyone. Good place to buy online? I’ll check out Amazon.

[OldDutch]

I have a concept 2 and fully endorse.

Only equipment I have ever heard poor reviews and results on is a clothes drying rack err treadmill.

[Wastedyouth]

Rowing man, its so awesome!

Nordictrack TW300 is what I got.

[Sliver]

Elliptical is the best.

[Northendzone]

My only advice is make sure you spend money to buy a quality piece of equipment, otherwise, it will not perform and will be collecting dust within a couple of months

[slots881]

Another endorsement for the Concept 2 Rower. I got one for the home gym and love it. It is pricey, but it's by far the rowing cream of the crop. I like the that new ones are bluetooth, can connect to apps and upload to strava.

[MoneyGuy]

My wife thinks the Concept2 rower is pricy but at $1,250 I think that’s reasonable. I agree with the poster who said to buy quality for durability. I like the foldability and the recommendations here. No decision yet.

[Cappy]

I don't personally own a rower (yet) but i used to be a regular at a group-fitness rowing studio and i second (third, fourth, tenth?) a rower for full body workouts. I was in the best shape of my life hitting that up for 30-45 minutes a day.

[Ashartus]

I agree rowing machines are great (so long as you use them). Combined with a good set of resistance bands (mine has a contraption that goes on a door with anchor points at different heights) I find that to be a decent home gym setup without taking up a pile of space.

[CaptainYooh]

We have a rowing machine, treadmill, and exercise bike - all bought at Costco. Eventually, we gave away the bike, as it was not used much at all. Both the treadmill and rowing machine are being used a lot.

We have a NordicTrack exercise station, which takes a lot of space but is not used much.

Stretch bands - are great and inexpensive, I use them a lot.

Bench press - my son bought it off someone on Kijiji for $50 with weights. USe it every morning.

Dumb bells - I suggest going with different weight ones rather than universal ones. It's a pain in the ass to change weights on it.

Upper core strength roller - bought it at Costco. Amazing exercise tool and costs very little.

Soft mat - for abs, Costco.

So, yeah, overall, Costco has almost everything you might need for a home gym.

[Vena]

Take a look at a TRX. You can get a good full body work out and it doesn't take up much space.

I got a punching bag last March. Just fantastic.

Other pieces I like: medicine ball, fitness bands, and a few kettle bells.

Until it warms up, I am borrowing my friends rower. Will get back to running in the next few weeks. Like everyone else, I love the rower. Get a good quality one as their seem to be a lot of them on the market right now for varying prices. Concept 2 is worth every cent. Very well made.