Weight Loss Forum

Home Aerobic Options

You can get the body of your dreams without having a gym membership. While I personally think having one makes things easier, for some going to the gym is the make or break point. Here are you options for home cardio and their pros and cons.


Pros-
*The get the job done, they are the standard in the cardio world.
*Allow you to do a favorite activity while doing a not so favorite activity. The ability to be able to read or watch TV is important for a lot of people.
*Safe and easy to use. In general just punch some buttons and on your way.
*Easy to increase ability. Not getting the same workout anymore, turn it up and notch and are at a whole new level again.
*In the long run will be much cheaper than paying a gym.

Cons-
*Expensive. You can’t go cheap on this kind of equipment. It’s a short run high expense.
*Because you can watch TV, people don’t always focus as they should during their workouts and can cause injury or not obtain full workout desired.
*Take up room in home. If it is a good piece of equipment not matter what they say, it’s going to be big and it’s going to be big in your home.
Suggestions: Buy Used! People are always selling their new years resolution machines. Hop on ebay or look in the local paper to save tons of money. If you go on ebay search by area close to you and do local pick-ups only. Also check out local used sporting goods shops.

Videos-(Home video workouts)

Pros-
*Cheap. For the most part you can get a solid cardio video for under 20 dollars.
*Fun. Its perfect for those easily distracted or those who count down the minute till their workout is over. Having someone working with you, even in a vitural sense makes doing it a lot easier.
*Challenging. Most cardio videos provide a real challenge to the user and makes for a more focused workout.

Cons-
*So many videos to choose from and some are just not worth your money. When you get a cardio video it needs to be just that, cardio. No strength training, no great abs in five days. It should be just you bouncing around at a good energy level for 30-40mins. If it has lifting or “toning” move on to the next one.
*Plateaus. It is easy for your body to adjust to these workouts, so you need to change out your videos at least every 4 weeks.
Suggestions-If you have a netflix type service get your videos that way. It is much cheaper; you can keep the video for 4 weeks and then get another one! And remember get ones with just cardio. No resistance, weights, core ball movements. Just you and movement.

Random objects (jump ropes, trampolines, step ups)

Pros-
*Cheap- Most of these kinds of items are very cheap and easy to find.
*Small-They take up little to no room and make it easy to work with in a small setting.
*Effective-What are two of the highest caloric burning pieces of gear? Jump rope and trampoline.

Cons-
*Not easy for beginners-because they are highly effective exercises it can take awhile to build up to them. Especially jump roping as it takes cardiovascular strength and a degree of coordination.
*Can be boring and drawn out for some and repetitive. If you aren’t enjoying your exercise, then chances are you wont do it.


Pros-
*It’s Free! Can’t get any better than that really.
*Constant challenges being hills, turns, slopes and all kinds of new distances to travel.
*This also includes sports, which can be a lot of fun and take away from the boredom of working out.

Cons-
*Because there are different inclines it can be a little hard for beginners.
*Running outdoors isn’t for everyone and proper stretching is often ignored.
*For some can be boring so bring some music to keep you company.

In the end the choice is up to you, just pick something you enjoy doing. The hardest part of working out is getting in and staying in a routine. If you enjoy what you are doing and if it is easy to fit into your life then the chance for you to stay in it is much higher.