Killer Home Cardio Equipment?

K

ksandvoss

Cathlete
Hi,

Can anyone suggest a home cardio machine that gives a killer workout? Some of you may have seen my previous posts where I mention that I have ruined my knees from running, and my recent pregnancy may not have helped either. I love Cathy's videos, but I think I need something low impact a few days a week. I'm starting to feel the effects of the high impact portion of her workouts. I have been doing Cathy's workouts 4-7X/week for a year even when I was pregnant. Prior to giving up running a year ago, I ran 6 miles almost everyday. I love the runner's high I would get. It was also a great time for reflection, not a lot to think about when it came to the workout. I would like a solo workout on bike or elliptical trainer that can give me the same effect and really kick my butt.

PS. I have also injured my Performas (butt muscle) from running and squats if anyone has any advice. I'm not sure if I spelled the name correctly.

Thanks,

Kathy
 
How about a spinning bike Kathy?

They aren't cheap but they'll give you what you're looking for. Not a huge amount of videos to choose from either...but the ones that are out there are quality workouts.

There are newer ones in the works as well. The Johnny G program just teamed up with Star Trac, who makes the V-bike...and I'm hoping that merge will produce more videos from Spinning. Mindy Mylrea also is in the works with a newer version of her spin workout. And I refuse to stop nagging Cathe;-).

Another option, if you have your own bike, is getting a trainer for it and biking in the house??? There's a special series of videos called Spinervals geared just for trainers..although they can be modified for spin bikes. This series isn't my favorite...but I know a few that love them. That might be another option.

Another crazy thing sweeping many of us at the moment is Rebounders. Mini trampolines seem to be pretty hot...and fairly kind to the joints. However..I have a feeling from your post...you'd probably like the bike better. I think it would challenge you more.


http://publish.hometown.aol.com/naconfer/images/cathechicksig.jpg
 
Another vote for a spinning bike...

A spinning bike can give you a very challenging, gasping for breath, sweating buckets cardio workout at home. Spinning is great for cross-training and giving your body a break from high impact!
Erica
 
RE: Another vote for a spinning bike...

Thanks Erica and Nancy. Before I got into videos, I thought about spinning. I have had a class and actually thought my heart might pop out of my chest. I may have been in a class that was not for a beginner. I did love it when my heart rate was under control.

Can either of you tell me a bike to consider, and where can I find the videos? Can you do a workout without the videos?

Thanks again for responding. I am going to really look into this.
 
Kathy, I'm probably a broken record for many here..

but I swear by the V-bike. It's made by StarTrac http://www.startrac.com and it should be listed under the home equipment stuff. It certainly isn't the cheapest bike around...but it's one of the best made.
It's the same model you'll find in the gyms. Very solid construction. A tension knob that allows you to increase or decrease the fly wheel in tiny increments. Great design on the adjustment areas to make the bike fit you.

Down side...it weighs a bit, but it also has small wheels on the front of the frame to move it around. And as I mentioned..it's not cheap. The list price at the website is $899 but if you talk to a sales rep and mention you were referred by a previous customer...they honor the old price of $799..if I remember correctly, that included shipping. It is a good chunk of money, but it's also what a lower priced...decent street bike costs.

The Spinning program used to use Schwinn spin bikes but they have since gone bankrupt(schwinn). I know that bike was popular with some...not sure if you could locate them any more.

There's also the Reebok bike. It is cheaper but I can't help you with info on it. I've heard they may have changed for the better...the ones in the gyms wore out too fast for my liking and I didn't care for how the tension worked..but as I mentioned..it might have changed.

Another tip...keep an eye on Ebay..I know a fellow VFer saw a V-bike at ebay for $550??? Another idea..if you are close to a big fitness convention that has spin classes. When they bring the bikes in, they'd just as soon not cart them home and you can get good deals on new bikes.
You could also invest in one or two videos and see if you'd even be interested in making the bigger investment in the bike. If the workouts didn't appeal to you and you didn't think you could ride without a video..you'd have a much smaller lose with just the investment in a bad video;-).

Hope that helps.

http://publish.hometown.aol.com/naconfer/images/cathechicksig.jpg
 
spinning videos...

Collage video (collagevideo.com) carries Precision Cycling and the Johnny G spinning videos. Precision Cycling (Jay Blahnik is the instructor) is excellent. I'm not crazy about Johnny G, but that is just my own opinion. Mindy Mylrea's Sport Cycle is also very good and tough - you can go to mindymylrea.com for her video.
There are also the Spinervals videos which sound tough, but I don't have them and don't know where to even purchase them. You might do a search on this forum or at VF and you could find info on those workouts.
Erica
 
RE: Kathy, I'm probably a broken record for many here..

Nancy,

Thanks again. This is great information. I just have to get my husband to agree. It has to be something he would do too.

Mogambo,

Thanks for the spelling correction.
 
Another vote for indoor cycling primarily because there are some good video workouts on the market. Let's face it, the downside of indoor cardio equipment is it's usually boring! Also agree that there are better videos than Johnny G's. He never released updated videos despite changing the Spinning program to make it safer.

I would avoid buying a Schwinn Spinning bike because of the bankruptcy Nancy mentioned. The club where I Spin can't get replacement parts & some of the bikes are turning into clunkers.

Another bike to check out is LifeCycle's version which was designed by Greg Lemond.

Debra
 
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