I'm thinking the best use of my "paycheck" from the fire department this Christmas may be to invest in a decent exercise machine.  We have a room full of various free-weights, but I'm not ready for that yet, but I'm thinking a decent eliptical trainer may be just the thing to help keep my walking routine up during the coming snow and ice season.

Anyone have a favorite?  Tell me why it's boss.....

I don't have an eliptical, but I do have a good treadmill.  It is a Sears brand and I bought it with a three year service plan, because the prior one that I had began to have problems after two years.  I've had no  problems with it, I'm a big guy and it holds my weight.  Its not Fitness center quality, but it is not the basic one either.  Don't remember the brand, but it was 6 or 700 dollars when I got it two years ago.

I believe Boner was talking about an eliptical he got and kicked his butt when he first got it.  I bought a recumbant bike before my surgery, but when I got it home, it had a 250 lb weight limit.  So, for just a little while longer, it is being used as the standard clothes hanger.  I have been looking into a Concept 2 rowing machine, but the thing is over $700, and will have to save up a day or two for that. 

Hey Arkie..ain't it great how all those "exercise machines" are designed to pull double duty as a clothes hanger or extra closet space!! 

Thanks for your info...and don't worry, you'll be on that bike in no time!

Just be sure the treadmill has an "acceptable" weight limit to it, if it is a home-use grade unit ..   Most of those only have about a 250 lb. or so max. capacity ..  The limit is usually mentioned on the box, or via a label or sticker on the machine itself ..     If you have many guys over that weight at the firehouse (or your family, if you intend to keep the unit in your home), I'd look at getting a bigger, commercial (and yes, much more $$) unit instead .. 

  If you try to exceed the weight limit capacity of the treadmill, it will, over time, wear the motor out prematurely, cause belt wear issues, smells, etc.  and/or even burn the thing out entirely .   I've even seen them not hardly move at all if the weight on the belt is really over the limit ..    

Hey Padre,

An elliptical will be a great Christmas present indeed. My older brother, Big Boner, just bought both an elliptical and recumbant exercise bike. His son works at a Sports Authority so got a screaming deal on both. I tried them out while I was back in Iowa last week and they are kickass. Extremely sturdy with good computers. Here's the one he got.

Healthrider C550 E Elliptical

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
        
ClearView™ Backlit Display
CardioGrip™ Heart Rate Monitor
1-Touch™ Resistance
1-Touch™ Programs
15 Workout Programs
SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance
20-inch Stride Length
CoolAire™ Fan
Higher Profile Console
Front Flywheel Elliptical
Oversized Pedals
350-lb User Capacity

 

A couple month ago I bought an elliptical display model from Sams and it's also kickass. Here it is:

View Larger Image

Reebok RL 1500 Elliptical Machine

We also have a Nordic Track treadmill which we bought 3 years ago just prior to my WLS. It has a ton of miles on it and is still going great.

Hope this helps, Padre.

Boner