What cardio equipment for this small alcove?
June 22, 2015 4:54 AM Subscribe
My wife and I have a small alcove in our basement where we'd like to place some exercise equipment to get the heart rate up during the winter. Given the immutable space limitations, what should we consider?
The alcove is about 44" wide, 65" deep, and about 79" high. I am 6'1", which further limits the potential height of the machine. There can be only so much up and down and side to side action here.
I think we'd do better with something with a readout that displays the time of the workout, etc.--rather than an old exercise bike like my grandmother had. (Though, to be clear, a bike with a display is fine.) I'm not sure whether a treadmill would fit, but I also worry about our knees a bit with a treadmill.
I'm more than open to buying used, if that's a good idea.
Any recommendations for a good fit for us?
The alcove is about 44" wide, 65" deep, and about 79" high. I am 6'1", which further limits the potential height of the machine. There can be only so much up and down and side to side action here.
I think we'd do better with something with a readout that displays the time of the workout, etc.--rather than an old exercise bike like my grandmother had. (Though, to be clear, a bike with a display is fine.) I'm not sure whether a treadmill would fit, but I also worry about our knees a bit with a treadmill.
I'm more than open to buying used, if that's a good idea.
Any recommendations for a good fit for us?
Is 65" an absolute max? A rowing erg would remove the height considerations completely, but I just checked and they run about 96" long. Good for your knees, though you should get someone to show you proper rowing form to save on potential back injuries.
posted by jquinby at 5:44 AM on June 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by jquinby at 5:44 AM on June 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
Echoing the rowing machine, if the length of the machine isn't a deal breaker. The erg's a tremendous workout, as easy or hard as you want it to be, and very low impact. The most common injury is to the low back, but this is completely avoidable with good form. If you go this route, get a Concept 2. (Note that the computer isn't back-lit. I clipped a book light to mine and that's worked great.)
posted by cyclopticgaze at 6:46 AM on June 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by cyclopticgaze at 6:46 AM on June 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
No specific recommendations, but a few considerations:
1) The best exercise is the exercise you actually do. Don't think so much about what the "healthiest" would be, think about what the most appealing exercise would be - and that includes not only the exercise that you will be doing, but how to make it more fun. You could set up a TV in front of the machine, paint it a brighter color, improve the lighting, etc.
2) Is there a specific reason (past injury, significant weight issues, etc.) that you're worried about knee issues? In general, running is good for your knees.
3) There are lots of ways to get your heart rate up without a machine. There are plenty of videos or course, or simple bodyweight workouts, like these. Again, think about what you're more likely to enjoy. Some people get bored on a treadmill, others like the simplicity.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 7:39 AM on June 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
1) The best exercise is the exercise you actually do. Don't think so much about what the "healthiest" would be, think about what the most appealing exercise would be - and that includes not only the exercise that you will be doing, but how to make it more fun. You could set up a TV in front of the machine, paint it a brighter color, improve the lighting, etc.
2) Is there a specific reason (past injury, significant weight issues, etc.) that you're worried about knee issues? In general, running is good for your knees.
3) There are lots of ways to get your heart rate up without a machine. There are plenty of videos or course, or simple bodyweight workouts, like these. Again, think about what you're more likely to enjoy. Some people get bored on a treadmill, others like the simplicity.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 7:39 AM on June 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
I have one of these, a recumbent exercise bike. You can often find these on sale (I paid nowhere near that price) when gyms upgrade their stuff. They are not that big, very heavy, have readouts, are not bad for the knees and are good for exercising and also watching TV/ipadding/whetever. They're bulletproof. I'm a huge fan of the Concept 2 if they fit in your space.
posted by jessamyn at 7:57 AM on June 22, 2015
posted by jessamyn at 7:57 AM on June 22, 2015
I will second a recumbent exercise bike. I really like having one. They are easy to use, can be found at many price points, and should fit nicely into your available space.
posted by Shanda at 8:33 AM on June 22, 2015
posted by Shanda at 8:33 AM on June 22, 2015
You can get a great workout on an elliptical machine and it's easy on knees. I cannot run because of my bad knees but I can use an elliptical. It has different levels of difficulty from which to choose and the higher end ones monitor your heart rate, display how many calories you've burned, and how many miles you've pedaled. To help you decide, try different machines in a store and ask the sales person for advice.
posted by Aha moment at 10:39 AM on June 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Aha moment at 10:39 AM on June 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
LifeFitness equipment is awesome. I have had the precursor to this LifeFitness recumbent bike since 1998 and it is still going strong. It relies on a telemetry chest strap, and adjusts the intensity to keep my heart up to the desired rate. It sits in my den, where I mix the guilty pleasure of indulging in TV with the benefit of exercise. (I've often wished that I could generate the power for the TV via the bike and then it would be a complete virtuous loop.)
That said, I've been debating getting an elliptical to get more of a fuller workout. LifeFitness has some nice ones, but they are quite expensive and quite large. I'm eager to hear if anyone else has any recommendations for an elliptical??
posted by nandaro at 8:08 AM on June 24, 2015
That said, I've been debating getting an elliptical to get more of a fuller workout. LifeFitness has some nice ones, but they are quite expensive and quite large. I'm eager to hear if anyone else has any recommendations for an elliptical??
posted by nandaro at 8:08 AM on June 24, 2015
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