[Psyk]

So I'm thinking of starting to do some exercise. My main goal is losing fat for now. Maybe after I've made some progress I'll think about trying to gain muscle as well.

I think the hardest part for me is figuring out how to fit exercise into my lifestyle as I don't enjoy any sports or anything particularly active. So I was thinking of getting a cross trainer that I can use for half an hour each day while I'm watching TV. Does this sound like a good idea? I'm not expecting miracles, it's just something to get me started really.

Can anyone recommend a good cross trainer? Doesn't have to be a really cheap one, but I'm not going to spend thousands on it either. There seems to be a very wide price range for them.

edit - if it's relevant, I weigh 80kg and I'm 173cm tall. That makes my BMI 26.7. Although I suspect it's worse than it seems since my body is pretty much just skin, bones and fat.

[ch0c0h01ic]

(Original post by Psyk)
I think the hardest part for me is figuring out how to fit exercise into my lifestyle as I don't enjoy any sports or anything particularly active. So I was thinking of getting a cross trainer that I can use for half an hour each day while I'm watching TV. Does this sound like a good idea? I'm not expecting miracles, it's just something to get me started really.

There are 100s of different sports and exercise classes out there to try, there is literally something for everybody. Most clubs and gyms offer discount taster sessions and free short term memberships (ie; 1-3 days) so you can try different things with a couple of mates and see whether you enjoy it. You don't have to go for the mainstream stuff, if you've always fancied climbing google climbing walls in your local area, if you enjoy walking go hiking.

If you cannot motivate yourself to exercise regularly now, partly/wholly because you haven't found something you enjoy yet, buying gym equipment isn't going to magically change your situation. You may use a crosstrainer for the first couple of weeks but much beyond that and is unlikely. Plus if all you're going to use it for is a light 30 minutes every now and again in front of the TV you might as well do one to two 30-60 minute walks a day, you'll get similar health and weight loss benefits from it and it is 100% free.

[Psyk]

(Original post by ch0c0h01ic)
There are 100s of different sports and exercise classes out there to try, there is literally something for everybody. Most clubs and gyms offer discount taster sessions and free short term memberships (ie; 1-3 days) so you can try different things with a couple of mates and see whether you enjoy it. You don't have to go for the mainstream stuff, if you've always fancied climbing google climbing walls in your local area, if you enjoy walking go hiking.

I wouldn't attempt to do any exercise with any friends. They're all far more in shape than I am, so I'd just slow them down whatever we do. I wouldn't mind hiking, but where am I going to find the time to go hiking on a regular basis?

(Original post by ch0c0h01ic)
If you cannot motivate yourself to exercise regularly now, partly/wholly because you haven't found something you enjoy yet, buying gym equipment isn't going to magically change your situation. You may use a crosstrainer for the first couple of weeks but much beyond that and is unlikely. Plus if all you're going to use it for is a light 30 minutes every now and again in front of the TV you might as well do one to two 30-60 minute walks a day, you'll get similar health and weight loss benefits from it and it is 100% free.

I've just accepted that I don't enjoy physical activities. Maybe if I get in a better shape I might do. But until then I won't. I get into a routine and I find it hard to stray from that. Which is something I can use to my advantage because if I can find a way to incorporate exercise into that routine it's easier to stick to. I've done it before actually, I lost quite a bit of weight when I was 15 by going jogging. But now I'd prefer to do it in the comfort of my own home. And I easily have the money to buy some basic gym equipment, so the cost isn't really an issue.

[ch0c0h01ic]

(Original post by Psyk)
I wouldn't attempt to do any exercise with any friends. They're all far more in shape than I am, so I'd just slow them down whatever we do. I wouldn't mind hiking, but where am I going to find the time to go hiking on a regular basis?

There are country parks, long distance footpaths, forestry commission areas, public access land, etc all over the country. All you need to do is visit your local tourist information, use Google, join a local walking group or buy a 1:25000 scale map of the local area.

If you can find the time to watch the tv, go on TSR, go on facebook, check your emails, play Xbox, dick about on a X-trainer, etc you have the time to get out and go for a walk.

I've just accepted that I don't enjoy physical activities. Maybe if I get in a better shape I might do. But until then I won't. I get into a routine and I find it hard to stray from that. Which is something I can use to my advantage because if I can find a way to incorporate exercise into that routine it's easier to stick to. I've done it before actually, I lost quite a bit of weight when I was 15 by going jogging. But now I'd prefer to do it in the comfort of my own home. And I easily have the money to buy some basic gym equipment, so the cost isn't really an issue.

You're out of shape and the last time you exercised regularly and made a measurable improvement was around 10 years ago...I think you're overestimating your compliance, especially in something which you don't enjoy.

[Psyk]

(Original post by ch0c0h01ic)
There are country parks, long distance footpaths, forestry commission areas, public access land, etc all over the country. All you need to do is visit your local tourist information, use Google, join a local walking group or buy a 1:25000 scale map of the local area.

If you can find the time to watch the tv, go on TSR, go on facebook, check your emails, play Xbox, dick about on a X-trainer, etc you have the time to get out and go for a walk.

Well I know of a few places nearby that would be nice to go for a walk, but after a couple of weeks I'd have walked round all of them. After that point it's not going to be any more interesting that using a machine in my flat. I don't mind walking around places, but I don't particularly feel like travelling all around the country to find new places to walk. That wouldn't be something I could do every day.

(Original post by ch0c0h01ic)
You're out of shape and the last time you exercised regularly and made a measurable improvement was around 10 years ago...I think you're overestimating your compliance, especially in something which you don't enjoy.

Well what am I supposed to do if I don't enjoy any physical activities? At best I could tolerate some exercise, and being able to do it while watching TV would make it more tolerable.

[Luxray]

(Original post by Psyk)
So I'm thinking of starting to do some exercise. My main goal is losing fat for now. Maybe after I've made some progress I'll think about trying to gain muscle as well.

I think the hardest part for me is figuring out how to fit exercise into my lifestyle as I don't enjoy any sports or anything particularly active. So I was thinking of getting a cross trainer that I can use for half an hour each day while I'm watching TV. Does this sound like a good idea? I'm not expecting miracles, it's just something to get me started really.

Can anyone recommend a good cross trainer? Doesn't have to be a really cheap one, but I'm not going to spend thousands on it either. There seems to be a very wide price range for them.

edit - if it's relevant, I weigh 80kg and I'm 173cm tall. That makes my BMI 26.7. Although I suspect it's worse than it seems since my body is pretty much just skin, bones and fat.

Research interval training, doing that won't leave you much energy or concentration to even be glancing at a tv and 30 minutes of it in the gym is enough to make you feel like death is coming early!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GGcQrKVjg0

[Psyk]

(Original post by Luxray)
Research interval training, doing that won't leave you much energy or concentration to even be glancing at a tv and 30 minutes of it in the gym is enough to make you feel like death is coming early!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GGcQrKVjg0

I don't want to feel like death is coming early

Surely even doing some fairly light exercise for 30 minutes a day is going to have some effect after a while? Only to a point I'm sure, but I can work up to something heavier if I'm still not happy when I reach that point.

[Psyk]

So can anyone recommend a good brand? Is there really much difference between a cheap one and an expensive one?

[Dmon1Unlimited]

I tried treadmills, could comfortably do hour sessions at the time. Tried the crosstrainer and I felt like my legs will die...

I've gotten better but brace yourself, don't underestimate that *******... Ironically, a guy who works at the gym told me people prefer it to treadmills since its less strain on the legs.... *****?

Regarding time, I based it off of trying to lose a kilo a week which was a 1100 deficit calories a day. With tweaks here and there, this worked out to be an hour or so for me

[VaVe]

(Original post by Dmon1Unlimited)
I've gotten better but brace yourself, don't underestimate that *******... Ironically, a guy who works at the gym told me people prefer it to treadmills since its less strain on the legs.... *****?

He's referring to the fact that cross-trainers are low-impact on knees which is important for some people who through age feel pain in their knees when on the treadmill or just running anywhere.

[boba]

personally if your going to get one piece of gym equipment I would say get a rowing machine not a treadmill

[Psyk]

(Original post by boba)
personally if your going to get one piece of gym equipment I would say get a rowing machine not a treadmill

Wouldn't a rowing machine take up more space? My flat is quite small, but I could fit a cross trainer in there.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[boba]

(Original post by Psyk)
Wouldn't a rowing machine take up more space? My flat is quite small, but I could fit a cross trainer in there.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

I have no idea sorry

[silent ninja]

You don't like exercise but somehow you're gonna motivate yourself on a mind numbingly boring hamster machine? Just go for a run around a local park. Even if it's slow it'll be a hell of a lot more effective than a cross training session whilst watching TV. There is no easy or quick way to lose fat. You're gonna have to work up a sweat and exert yourself. The good news is it gets exponentially easier after the first few weeks -- you won't feel like death is coming most sessions.

Seriously think about doing weights. Weights + cardio is an awesomely effective way of shedding fat (along with a half decent diet).

[boba]

I kind of agree with the people saying you might end up wasting your money, most people who do this do. but if your willing to risk it its up to you! maybe you could join the healthy new you thread and post there everyday to say if youve done it or not/ how much then you have some sort of accountability.

I bought a rowing machine, and used it all of the time for a while until I started taking "days off" when I couldn't be bothered that weren't my planned days and these days off became more and more frequent until I stopped all together.this was last year before I went away to uni. I've recently joined a gym on a 6 week thing over the summer and I've started using my rowing machine again on some of the days that I don't go but now when I'm at the gym I avoid the rowing machine because I don't want to be paying to go to use something that I have at home haha. And since I've ended up joining the gym while home anyway and can't transport the rowing machine to uni meaning if I keep my exercise motivation up I will have to join a gym there aswell the rowing machine was kind of a waste of money.

oh well back then I had loads of money and no bills (unlike now grr) so its not the end of the world

[Mohamed Ramy]

I recommend you start Insanity program, no equipment needed. It's main clause is shedding body fat. Watch some motivational videos about fitness. Trust me, the week after your first exercises; you'll feel more energetic


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App.

[Psyk]

(Original post by silent ninja)
You don't like exercise but somehow you're gonna motivate yourself on a mind numbingly boring hamster machine? Just go for a run around a local park.

Even if it's slow it'll be a hell of a lot more effective than a cross training session whilst watching TV. There is no easy or quick way to lose fat. You're gonna have to work up a sweat and exert yourself. The good news is it gets exponentially easier after the first few weeks -- you won't feel like death is coming most sessions.

Seriously think about doing weights. Weights + cardio is an awesomely effective way of shedding fat (along with a half decent diet).

But running around the park is going to be just as mind numbingly boring after not very long. Exercising while watching TV is only as boring as what's on TV. Which admittedly is quite boring.

I realise I'm going to have to work for it. I said that in the OP. It's not really exercise itself I don't like (well, I don't especially dislike it), it's sports.

As for wasting my money, well maybe I will be, but it's worth a try. I think I'd be able to fit it into my daily routine more easily than anything else.

[Converse Rocker]

(Original post by Psyk)
But running around the park is going to be just as mind numbingly boring after not very long.

Don't just run round the park in circles, run anywhere and everywhere. Maybe pick a location that will take x amount of time to run there and back.

Exercising while watching TV is only as boring as what's on TV. Which admittedly is quite boring.

My local gym recently put in machines that have TV's in them, maybe you could see if gyms near you have this to help you avoid boredom?

[Psyk]

(Original post by Converse Rocker)
Don't just run round the park in circles, run anywhere and everywhere. Maybe pick a location that will take x amount of time to run there and back.

There's still only a finite amount of park space to run in. It won't take long before I've seen it all.

(Original post by Converse Rocker)
My local gym recently put in machines that have TV's in them, maybe you could see if gyms near you have this to help you avoid boredom?

I'd rather do it in my own home, rather than being around other people to be honest.

[Converse Rocker]

(Original post by Psyk)
There's still only a finite amount of park space to run in. It won't take long before I've seen it all.

Do you need to limit yourself to the park? I frequently run along pavements and footpaths. Also have you tried running to music, it can get annoying if they fall out but music might help keep you entertained and many find it helps them work harder.

I'd rather do it in my own home, rather than being around other people to be honest.

Fair enough, I just thought I'd suggest it because the gym works great for some people.