Which Piece of Fitness Equipment Is Best for in the Home?

My vote would be for the treadmill, along with an exercise/stability ball and some resistance tubing/bands.

The treadmill is so versatile; you can walk, you can run, you can change the incline to focus on the rear and make the workout harder. Park that treadmill right in front of the tv, watch a show, and before you know it 30-60 minutes have passed!

You could also go to www.sparkpeople.com to learn about the tons of exercises that can be done in the house without any exercise equipment at all. Another good book is Fitness for Dummies and Weight Training for Dummies - not that you're a dummy; it's just presented in a super-easy, straightforward manner.

A treadmill would be a good investment. Just make sure you do your research and get the one that has all of the options that you want. What you might want to try out first though, is to go to a fitness club like Lifestyle (no membership there, just month to month) and try out their equipment for a few months and see what fits your bodies best. Just be aware that your body adjusts after a period of 6 weeks and you should change up your routine. So make sure that your treadmill has some great options.
If finances are an issue, check out the Lelsie Lansone (not sure if I spelled her name right) Walking DVDs at the library and try them out. You will be surprised at how much they work you at home and you don't need to buy expensive equipment.
With some research, you can get excellent workout at home without buying expensive equipment. You can do cardio and weight training at home.
If you are new to working out, I would recommend to you to check out "Body For Life" by Bill Phillips. (You can get the book from the library). With all of the work out material and diet material out there, I have found that this program is the best program b/c it teaches you to do it the right way. I was a novice at working out when I started it, meaning I knew nothing about working out and was able to follow his program easily. I did use a treadmill and some free weights. I lost 40 pounds in 8 months very steadily at about 1 to 2 pounds a week. I liked the program a lot. Since then, I have had some medical issues and am doing walking work outs at home in winter (outside in summer) and do weight training with some free weights. I am getting the same effect (as w/Body For Life) in doing it at home without equipment just a bit slower pace. Good luck to you.

My husband have and love our elipitical(sp) I think it's easier and less boring than a treadmill and feels like a better workout. btw neither of us are fitness nuts, we just wanted to get a little more healthy too. Hope you find something you like!

B.
The best piece of equipment (and I have gone through a few) in my opinion is the Wii fit! Everything from yoga to aerobics to strength workout and if you're gonna excercise in your home this gives you the best of all equipment.
Good Luck
S.

I'm curious to hear what other mamas have to say too! However, I have several friends who love their elliptical machines . . . they would say that is the way to go!

I Love WII fit. it really is a work out and not just a game.

Since aerobic exercise (running, biking, walking, etc) is easier to do at home than strength training, I'd for a machine that does that. It burns more calories than aerobic anyways since your body will continue to burn more calories after you stop exercising. I really like the bowflex machine. We bought a complete system for $300 from the classifieds and it was in excellent condition. This included all the attachments and stuff that would send the new price well over $2k. So look for a used ones. Lots of people are trying to unload their unused exercise machines for cash in this economy.

Anyways... the bowflex is great for strength training but you can also do aerobic (like rowing) with it.

You can also just spend less than $50 for an exercise ball and some bands and do dozens (if not hundreds) of great strength training exercises that work all areas of your body with those. These are perfect for beginners but once you get stronger you'll probably want more resistance.

I purchased work out videos. You just need the space to do them. I was not at all motivated but someone else doing it on the video with me seemed to help. I lost 13 lbs in about 2 1/2 months. The workouts were about 30 minutes. Good luck with whatever you decide.

B.,
I recommend an elliptical machine. Its easy on your joints and you can get a great cardio workout. I've used both treadmills and ellipticals at the gym I attend, and have found that my knees will start hurting on a treadmill, and I'm not a heavy person or anyone who has had knee problems. I just think as we get older, we have to care for our joints more and the less impact the better.

I would get a treamill. It would be good and you do get an all over exercise that really stimulates you. Good Luck and welcome to our Beautiful America K.

Most exercise equipment at home ends up as a clothes hanger, and this equipment is expensive. Get outside and walk. It's free and is the best possible exercise. I also recommend yoga and belly dancing (I am an instructor in Bryan, Ohio). Check with your local Parks and Rec and take a yoga class with your husband. They can be expensive too, but once you know the basics, you can practice at home and follow videos.

It depends on what type of exercise you LIKE to do. I find myself dragging and procrastinating to do aerobic videos but love weight lifting, so I got Tony Horton's p90X, which has yoga, strength, cardio, abs, core and aeroebic training with minimal equipment. You'll do what you love and get more out of it if you can figure out what that is! =)
Elipticals are good but one-dimensional. (you'll run into plateaus and get bored doing one movement all the time)
We also have a bowflex.

If you can afford it, the Wii to hook up to your TV is by far the best thing to have. It has quite a variety of activities to do, plus the Wii Fit have a whole variety of exercises, Yoga, balance, etc. You will never get bored! My daughter (31 years old) got one for Christmas and uses it every day; also, her husband, parents (us), and friends use it when we are there. It's great at a party, with bowling, tennis, golf, and other sports. It takes up very little space when not being used. Good luck!

Are you looking for a piece of weight lifting equipment or cardio equipment? You didn't say.

No question about it - an elliptical machine. It is low-impact and you can get quite a workout. It is for all stages of fitness and can really work your upper and lower body at the same time.

I can tell you what NOT to get! At least it doesn't work for us. We have a huge weight bench type thing. It's suppose to do tons of different exercises and wast quite expensive. It never gets used. It's more of a laundry drying rack than anything else. My husband bought it before we met, so I had no say in the matter. We are both in agreement that we would buy something for cardio if we had to do it again. I'd love an elliptical machine. For me, cardio is the hardest thing to do w/o a machine.I can do weight training with just a few free weights. Of course, what I need most is motivation! Do you think they sell that at a store ;P