Recommendations for fitness machine

[S1969]

@trubandloki

Which leads to the question, is a little movement better than no movement?

Well, moving is always good. But moving isn’t exercise. If someone is looking for a fitness machine, I presume they are looking to get exercise.

Sitting on a couch and moving your legs is kind of like walking to the mailbox and back a few times. It’s better than sitting on the couch, but it wouldn’t actually be exercise.

A used spin bike would be a much more appropriate purchase for actual exercise - even if you don’t usually ride hard, it has the potential to actually allow you to get in a moderate workout from time to time.

[OTTBs]

@S1969

@trubandloki

Which leads to the question, is a little movement better than no movement?

Well, moving is always good. But moving isn’t exercise. If someone is looking for a fitness machine, I presume they are looking to get exercise.

Sitting on a couch and moving your legs is kind of like walking to the mailbox and back a few times. It’s better than sitting on the couch, but it wouldn’t actually be exercise.

I’ve had a fatigue problem for years and there are a lot of days I just want to lay down or I feel faint. So it may not be the best exercise, but it could be all I can manage. I have thought about rigging up a set of pedals so that I actually could use them laying down. Also considering a recumbent bike.

[NaturallyHappy]

I’ve used them before and thought they were fun. I kept them under my desk at work.

[S1969]

@OTTBs

I’ve had a fatigue problem for years and there are a lot of days I just want to lay down or I feel faint. So it may not be the best exercise, but it could be all I can manage. I have thought about rigging up a set of pedals so that I actually could use them laying down. Also considering a recumbent bike.

A recumbent bike would make much more sense, because it would be built/angulated to actually take power from your stronger muscles to pedal. Pedals alone, or the little under desk things, aren’t actually built to take power from your quads and glutes against resistance - they just spin. And, you can adjust the resistance, so that if you feel like exercising harder, you can.

I’m sure the cheaper pedal blocks have some options, but nothing like a real bike that is designed for exercise.

[NaturallyHappy]

Hi there! Did you consider a pilates chair? Space wise, it would be much more doable for me. Thx! Edited to add I’ve not used one.

[NJRider]

I ended up getting an elliptical/combo bicycle thing off Marketplace. Then I fell down the stairs as I darted down to use it!

[Cabaret_SK]

The chair is great, but completely different from a reformer. It still works your muscles, but personally I prefer a reformer (but I agree - a chair is much easier to fit in a smaller space!)

[NaturallyHappy]

Thank you!

[BalancingAct]

A chair can be very beneficial but isn’t something you’d want to use 100% of the time. We are actually adding onto our house and building a proper gym. Once that is done I plan on adding a chair to my collection because its fun to mix things up. However, I wouldn’t trade my reformer for anything. It has changed my life.

[NaturallyHappy]

Thank you! I just bought one today. I am a 2x cancer survivor w some health problems and am hoping this will help. Thank you again!

[findeight]

I bought a Total Gym about 8 years ago and its the only thing I’ve ever used ( sort of) regularly over this much time. Its great for core and upper body and my Chiro loves it because it stabilizes the back and the basic stretch works to compress and decompress the spine in a safe position compared to many other devices.

Some devices can be a bit intimidating too but this one just works with your own body weight and gravity adjusted to where you are comfortable. Many of the exercises are very similar to Pilates. Really helps my posture when used regularly. Do think there are better options for serious leg work but if you need low or no impact on knees/ankles/hips? This, or a lower priced knock off, might be worth trying out.

[BalancingAct]

My best friend has had cancer more times than I can count and she is who introduced me to pilates. Even on her worst day she will do mat work, 100’s, or a series on the reformer.

You’ve got this!!!

[NaturallyHappy]

Thank you! I’m excited to put it together and get going. The encouragement…priceless​:grinning:!