1.22.2007

#44 - Intimidating workout equipment

I hate being a fat person, trying to embark on a new-way-of-life fitness regime. We all get motivated by the idea of new exercise equipment, but the fat person has to consider some things a skinny person wouldn't. I end up thinking, "Wouldn't it be fun to try an exercise ball?", but then I worry I'd pop it. You are really limited in the types of exercise equipment you can use. I hate that. This topic comes up because I've been looking to purchase an elliptical trainer lately. I really loved working out on the elliptical at the gym; it was the only machine that didn't kill my knees. On a side note, I have bad knees from my weight. Every time I walk a long distance or run, they hurt very bad. So my doctors told me to avoid walking/running type exercise and stick to no/low impact exercise like swimming or using an elliptical. Anyway, so I loved using the elliptical at the gym, but I totally HATE going to the gym (the hassle, the embarrassment, the excuses, etc.). So I wanted to get a piece of gym equipment for my home so that there would be no more excuses. I started shopping around for ellipticals, but quickly found out there were limitations for fat people. Many of the low-cost ellipticals on the market have a weight limit of 225-250 pounds. Oops. I surpass that by quite a bit. I kept looking and looking, but the only machines I found that were stable enough for the heavyset were totally expensive (like over $1000). The best machines are, of course, the ones at the gym. They have no weight limit, but cost over $3000. Ouch! So that was out of the question. Then I found a bunch of machines in the $700-900 range that held people up to 300 pounds. I supposed this was OK, but hey, that's pretty close to my current weight. Do I really want to risk working the machine at its limit? Did I want to risk breaking the machine from my weight? Again, something only fat people think about. Around the first of the year a bunch of new machines came onto the market, and to my surprise had higher weight limits. Was the general public getting fatter and exercise equipment manufacturers responding to the need for more heavy duty machines? I ended up finding a great machine from NordicTrack with a weight limit of 325, so no worries about stressing the machine. Sure the elliptical is $999, but I guess that's what it costs for durability. I've read a ton of reviews about this elliptical and it sounds like a great machine (for heavy people). So I put in the order this weekend, and now I eagerly await the arrival of my new exercise/torture device. I'll put in my own two cents about the elliptical as soon as I get it and let you know how it is. I know it will be hard to stay motivated for exercise regardless of having exercise equipment or not, but I hope that having the machine sitting in my living room will inspire me to workout when I'm sitting in front of the TV, being a couch potato. I also won't have the excuse of not going to the gym because I'm too tired to drive or I feel too fat to workout in front of others. I won't be intimidated by the fancy machines at the club, or fear breaking my equipment. With this new machine I will have no more excuses!

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

You could always look for a second hand machine.

AFS said...

Having the elliptical in the same room you watch TV will definitely help. I moved my treadmill from a room without a TV to one with a TV and I workout on it A LOT more than I used to (no excuses, if I have time to watch TV then I have time to walk on the thing). Plus if it somewhere where you have to look at it all the time, always reminding you of how much you spent on it...well that's definitely motivation! It's still so hard sometimes, isn't it?

karaokekitty said...

rusulka - I tried looking for second hand machines, but only found used gym ellipticals priced over $2000. I figured a little money up front will be worth it in the long run. And I'll have a warranty to fall back on if it breaks.

afs - I hope it does motivate me. I mean seriously, if it's sitting there staring at me while I'm lazy on the couch watching TV, I have NO excuse!

Thanks for the comments! I'm so glad to see people read my blog and can relate to me and my ramblings. :-)

Silas said...

Good job getting the elliptical. Sara and I just got a treadmill, so we're in the same type of boat.

Keep going, it will pay off!

-Silas

Megan said...

FYI: stability balls are pressure tested up to 1000 lbs. I too, felt that I would burst the ball. So I actually got one that was for taller people. It was a bigger balls & I felt more steady on it. I used to feel funny, going to the gym. But now, I tell myself that we are all going to the gym for the same reason--getting or staying in shape. And I know I am not going to lose weight, without exercise. I think, as I lose weight, I will feel more comfortable doing more things.
Good luck!
P.S. I love your blog!

Kat E said...

Oooh! I am very jealous--I would love an elliptical but as I am close to acquiring my own set of walking trails I'm not sure I can justify the purchase. Now you can watch Food TV while working out ;)

Anonymous said...

HI,I would like to recognize the motivation to even seek out options to increase your oxygen levels,heart health and most important "self preservation". If you are looking for exuses not to exercise because the cost of an elliptiacal machine is to pricey for the weight class your are in you will find it. I suggest that you focus on walking--10,000 steps a day is recommended--this # may be unrealistic when you are carrying extreme excess weight. But,even 100 steps one day can easily turn into 300,then 450 then 999 then 1200 and so on. I have found that gentle stretches can make anyone at any weight feel better in an instant! is'nt that the idea....

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Beth said...

Using exercise equipment is intimidating, to everyone. I used to be terrified to go to the gym, but once I realized it was no big deal (i.e. I am here for a reason), it simply wasn't a big deal anymore. You are doing it for you, remember that!