I need to move
November 13, 2015 6:07 PM Subscribe
I'm looking for some exercise equipment for my home: a treadmill, elliptical, or a stationary bike. I am a short woman and need something that I can actually use. I'd prefer to spend less than $550 total.
What I'd really like to do is to get a treadmill, but I'm encountering difficulty with delivery. I live on the second floor of a building and neither of the stores I've spoken with in my area - I've visited or called Sports Authority and Dicks - will deliver a large piece of fitness gear past the entryway of my home. I would have to pay upwards of $300 extra to have them bring it up the stairs, which is at odds with my desire to spend less than $550 total on this. Less would obviously be ideal.
I know that Craigslist is a great place to get fitness gear, but I don't know anyone that can help me haul something like this around, so I can't just ask a friend to help. I don't yet have friends that can help me move around hundreds of pounds of gear; I just moved here.
I've considered a stationary bike, but I feel like I am not going to get the best workout (at least, it wouldn't be as good as the one I would get on the treadmill). I also can't figure out what stationary bike would be best for someone my height (4'11"). The advantage to a bike is that I could probably get a sixty pound box up my stairs alone. I could at least get it over the threshold to unpack it in my foyer and bring the pieces up one by one, which I could not do with a treadmill.
I am getting older and exercise videos are not working for me anymore, and I really just want to get 45 to 60 minutes of cardio time in every other day at least. My area is not walkable (I live on the highway) and I know myself well enough to trust that I will not go to the gym often enough to make it worth the cost. So now I am looking for recommendations for a treadmill, elliptical, or stationary bike that will work for a short person, costs under $550 total, and is possible to have delivered to my second-story apartment. Thanks for the help.
What I'd really like to do is to get a treadmill, but I'm encountering difficulty with delivery. I live on the second floor of a building and neither of the stores I've spoken with in my area - I've visited or called Sports Authority and Dicks - will deliver a large piece of fitness gear past the entryway of my home. I would have to pay upwards of $300 extra to have them bring it up the stairs, which is at odds with my desire to spend less than $550 total on this. Less would obviously be ideal.
I know that Craigslist is a great place to get fitness gear, but I don't know anyone that can help me haul something like this around, so I can't just ask a friend to help. I don't yet have friends that can help me move around hundreds of pounds of gear; I just moved here.
I've considered a stationary bike, but I feel like I am not going to get the best workout (at least, it wouldn't be as good as the one I would get on the treadmill). I also can't figure out what stationary bike would be best for someone my height (4'11"). The advantage to a bike is that I could probably get a sixty pound box up my stairs alone. I could at least get it over the threshold to unpack it in my foyer and bring the pieces up one by one, which I could not do with a treadmill.
I am getting older and exercise videos are not working for me anymore, and I really just want to get 45 to 60 minutes of cardio time in every other day at least. My area is not walkable (I live on the highway) and I know myself well enough to trust that I will not go to the gym often enough to make it worth the cost. So now I am looking for recommendations for a treadmill, elliptical, or stationary bike that will work for a short person, costs under $550 total, and is possible to have delivered to my second-story apartment. Thanks for the help.
Best answer: Personally, I would not buy a treadmill, stationary bike, or elliptical machine that cost less than $800, unless it were secondhand. Below that level, you're buying a machine that wasn't really made to stand up to regular, long-term use.
If you already have an outdoor bike, or can obtain one cheaply (maybe you have a friend with a bike they don't use?), the Tacx Vortex Smart (scroll down to it) at $629 list would be a very good trainer, and because the bike and trainer each are very light, you wouldn't need to worry about moving things upstairs. Plus when the weather is good, you could ride outside, even if it meant putting the bike on a rack and driving somewhere with less traffic.
Another thought is a used Concept2 rowing machine. I bought mine new back in 2005 for about $800 and it has been well worth the investment, since it has saved me a decade's worth of gym membership fees. You might find one used under your limit. They're not that heavy, and the Model D can be split in two to make it easier to move and easier to store. The machine works your legs, core, back, and arms, and while it's not that exciting to row, it's no worse than stationary cycling or running.
posted by brianogilvie at 7:11 PM on November 13, 2015 [5 favorites]
If you already have an outdoor bike, or can obtain one cheaply (maybe you have a friend with a bike they don't use?), the Tacx Vortex Smart (scroll down to it) at $629 list would be a very good trainer, and because the bike and trainer each are very light, you wouldn't need to worry about moving things upstairs. Plus when the weather is good, you could ride outside, even if it meant putting the bike on a rack and driving somewhere with less traffic.
Another thought is a used Concept2 rowing machine. I bought mine new back in 2005 for about $800 and it has been well worth the investment, since it has saved me a decade's worth of gym membership fees. You might find one used under your limit. They're not that heavy, and the Model D can be split in two to make it easier to move and easier to store. The machine works your legs, core, back, and arms, and while it's not that exciting to row, it's no worse than stationary cycling or running.
posted by brianogilvie at 7:11 PM on November 13, 2015 [5 favorites]
I agree with brianogilvie from experience.
I originally bought a secondhand treadmill from Craigslist for $350, and it never quite worked right. Even after adjustment. After a lot of research, I ended up buying a treadmill for $1500 at a fitness equipment store and delivery and setup only cost $150. The guys carried it down a flight of stairs into a basement.
If you do end up with a second hand piece of equipment, you could always hire a Taskrabbit or two to help you move it.
posted by msladygrey at 7:15 PM on November 13, 2015
I originally bought a secondhand treadmill from Craigslist for $350, and it never quite worked right. Even after adjustment. After a lot of research, I ended up buying a treadmill for $1500 at a fitness equipment store and delivery and setup only cost $150. The guys carried it down a flight of stairs into a basement.
If you do end up with a second hand piece of equipment, you could always hire a Taskrabbit or two to help you move it.
posted by msladygrey at 7:15 PM on November 13, 2015
I've tried all sorts of things to get myself to exercise including buying exercise equipment for my home but what actually finally worked was getting an Xbox One with Kinect. Now I get my exercise playing Just Dance, Fantasia, and Zumba World Party.
IMO a Kinect is much more motivating than exercise videos because it's actually watching/evaluating you and assigning you points and achievements.
$410 new on Amazon and you won't need anyone to help you move it and set it up.
posted by Jacqueline at 7:52 PM on November 13, 2015
IMO a Kinect is much more motivating than exercise videos because it's actually watching/evaluating you and assigning you points and achievements.
$410 new on Amazon and you won't need anyone to help you move it and set it up.
posted by Jacqueline at 7:52 PM on November 13, 2015
I have been using, and liking, the FitDesk. It's a stationary bike with a laptop desk on top, so I can pedal away while working. It's $300 with free shipping on Amazon, so does fit the budget. It's only 45 pounds, so in theory you could get it up the stairs as you describe. I am looking at it, trying to figure up whether height might be an issue with it, and I can't say...even at 6'1", I don't have it extended to its full height, so I know it can handle much taller people, but I am not sure about 4'11"...so much depends on leg length, etc. But I think it would certainly be worth looking around at reviews to see if someone of that height has reviewed it.
posted by mittens at 7:57 PM on November 13, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by mittens at 7:57 PM on November 13, 2015 [1 favorite]
You could hire someone on Task Rabbit or on Craigslist to help lift it into your actual room you want it in. Depending on the city you live in, Task Rabbit can be as little as $20 per hour. They often offer discounts on your first task as well. You could maybe hire two Task Rabbits who are capable of lifting heavy things.
I'd get a good quality brand. With ellipticals, I love Precor. I'm a short person and the Precor ellipticals match my stride length better than other brands.
posted by AppleTurnover at 8:23 PM on November 13, 2015 [2 favorites]
I'd get a good quality brand. With ellipticals, I love Precor. I'm a short person and the Precor ellipticals match my stride length better than other brands.
posted by AppleTurnover at 8:23 PM on November 13, 2015 [2 favorites]
I had a quick search for stationary bikes for 4'11 height; found this discussion (in case you haven't already seen it), some of those ideas might be helpful. It's important though to be sure the seat height and pedals and everything are properly fitted, otherwise you might wind up with pains and strains :/ If you can't find something suitable in your budget, might be better to go without, imo.
No recommendations for ellipticals, but they can for sure be awkward if the stride is really off. It's worth trying the Precor and other models out at a store. Maybe try Play It Again Sports? You can get higher end used models there, though the stock changes regularly, so again it's a have-to-go-in situation.
My mom has a budget treadmill, something like this (not sure if it's the exact same model). Hers came in pieces, wasn't too bad to put together, apparently. I've tried it out a few times - it's not bad, honestly, decent for brisk/hill interval walking with very supportive shoes, but it has no shock absorption (so I wouldn't want to run on it).
A rowing machine is a good idea. They're very adjustable (would double check to make sure the fit would be ok). 2nd that it's a slightly gruelling kind of workout though (wouldn't call it uplifting, like an elliptical workout can be) - like it's not "fun", but it's possible to get into a nicely meditative sort of state because of the rhythm, and it can be satisfying, if that makes sense. And it's an unquestionably great workout.
(What about getting some dumbbells and doing a workout like this on some days? Great calorie burn, and there's some resistance going on, which is good for preserving bone density and muscle mass.)
If it turns out you can only get one decent machine that fits and is in your budget, my vote would be for a (good-fitting) elliptical - it's low-impact but weight-bearing (good for bones), "fun" because of the high heart rate and swinging and stuff, and you can make it as hard (with intervals and resistance) or zoney as you like.
posted by cotton dress sock at 9:11 PM on November 13, 2015
No recommendations for ellipticals, but they can for sure be awkward if the stride is really off. It's worth trying the Precor and other models out at a store. Maybe try Play It Again Sports? You can get higher end used models there, though the stock changes regularly, so again it's a have-to-go-in situation.
My mom has a budget treadmill, something like this (not sure if it's the exact same model). Hers came in pieces, wasn't too bad to put together, apparently. I've tried it out a few times - it's not bad, honestly, decent for brisk/hill interval walking with very supportive shoes, but it has no shock absorption (so I wouldn't want to run on it).
A rowing machine is a good idea. They're very adjustable (would double check to make sure the fit would be ok). 2nd that it's a slightly gruelling kind of workout though (wouldn't call it uplifting, like an elliptical workout can be) - like it's not "fun", but it's possible to get into a nicely meditative sort of state because of the rhythm, and it can be satisfying, if that makes sense. And it's an unquestionably great workout.
(What about getting some dumbbells and doing a workout like this on some days? Great calorie burn, and there's some resistance going on, which is good for preserving bone density and muscle mass.)
If it turns out you can only get one decent machine that fits and is in your budget, my vote would be for a (good-fitting) elliptical - it's low-impact but weight-bearing (good for bones), "fun" because of the high heart rate and swinging and stuff, and you can make it as hard (with intervals and resistance) or zoney as you like.
posted by cotton dress sock at 9:11 PM on November 13, 2015
Just an FYI - if you're not totally ruling out Craigslist, many people will deliver/help you haul your purchase for a bit of extra cash. (I have bought furniture off CL before) That is, of course, if you feel safe letting someone in your home.
posted by atinna at 1:06 AM on November 14, 2015
posted by atinna at 1:06 AM on November 14, 2015
I second a Precor elliptical - I'm 5'1" and it was perfect for me. Incidentally I bought it off Amazon and the delivery person just carried it up to my 3rd floor apartment.
posted by annathea at 7:36 AM on November 14, 2015
posted by annathea at 7:36 AM on November 14, 2015
Is there a Sears in your area? A few years ago, I bought a $299 treadmill from Sears (on sale for $249) and they delivered it to my house, up to the second floor and plugged it in. Delivery was free. I don't know if their policies have changed, but it might be worth a look.
posted by skye.dancer at 8:27 AM on November 14, 2015
posted by skye.dancer at 8:27 AM on November 14, 2015
Response by poster: I decided to get a bike and a trainer so I can ride indoors. I lost my old bike (a gorgeous Trek) and still mourn this on a regular basis. This will let me get some outdoor exercise when the weather improves. This comes in under budget and I know I'll use it.
I realized that I am stubbornly self-sufficient to the point where I don't really want to hire a stranger from Craigslist to help me carry something up to my apartment, so this lets me take control of the entire process. Also, I looked into that a bit and it seems like the fee would be in the $100 range at least, which again really impacts my entire budget. I can easily carry a bicycle up my own stairs, so I'm happy with this plan.
Thanks for the help!
posted by sockermom at 12:39 PM on November 14, 2015
I realized that I am stubbornly self-sufficient to the point where I don't really want to hire a stranger from Craigslist to help me carry something up to my apartment, so this lets me take control of the entire process. Also, I looked into that a bit and it seems like the fee would be in the $100 range at least, which again really impacts my entire budget. I can easily carry a bicycle up my own stairs, so I'm happy with this plan.
Thanks for the help!
posted by sockermom at 12:39 PM on November 14, 2015
You might try a cheap bike trainer. I've had this one for two years. I don't use it all the time, but at under $100 it's hard to beat. If you use it all the time you could buy a fancy one in a year.
The reviews of bike trainers that brianogilvie shared includes a very similar trainer.
posted by gregr at 2:06 PM on November 14, 2015
The reviews of bike trainers that brianogilvie shared includes a very similar trainer.
posted by gregr at 2:06 PM on November 14, 2015
I've considered a stationary bike, but I feel like I am not going to get the best workout (at least, it wouldn't be as good as the one I would get on the treadmill).If you're still worried about this part with your current plan, try doing a drop in spin class at a gym once or twice and then looking up a bunch of class plans online. Getting a good workout on a stationary bike (a spin bike or your bike on a trainer) is not hard, but it's not as obvious how to get a really good workout compared to a treadmill.
posted by anaelith at 5:33 AM on November 15, 2015
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