I need a good/decent cardio machine

[UkChris93]

Guys, I want to do cardio in my home.

I got a budget of around £500 pounds

Basically, either a elliptical, stationary bike or treadmill

In order of preference, I'd prefer:

Treadmill, then elliptical, then stationary bike

But i dont think I can get a good/sturdy treadmill (must be foldable), or elliptical for that price, seeing as I'm going to be doing HIIT and running really fast etc

Thanks

[JJ-]

If my math is right that is aprox $800 right? If so you can find a good treadmill for that price, especially this time of year. I don't know what dealers are in your country so I can't recomend you a product.

[Buccaneer82]

Not to be annoying and add a 4th option but have you considered a Concept 2 rower? Not sure how the market is in the UK for these or if they have deals there. If not I'd personally choose an elliptical as its less impact on your joints after lifting heavy you will appreciate it

[echase5]

Not to be annoying and add a 4th option but have you considered a Concept 2 rower? Not sure how the market is in the UK for these or if they have deals there. If not I'd personally choose an elliptical as its less impact on your joints after lifting heavy you will appreciate it

+1 on the rower. Those things are awesome. I'm on a mission to get one now. (Unfortunately on a CL budget)

[keeko]

...at your weight and height, and "doing HIIT wanting to run really fast" i *highly* doubt you will find a treadmill, even used, in your budget. i've been researching this for months, and i'm only a bit bigger than you and also plan on doing some fast pounding on my (future) treadmill. the very lowest prices i've seen are around 1500 USD, and the lowest I would feel really comfortable on are around 2000 USD.

[Accutron]

Airdyne or C2 rower!

[mroc17]

Airdyne or C2 rower!

+1 on this. Tried an Airdyne and really liked it. Picking one up off CL soon, I think.

[UkChris93]

thinking about airdyne

[UkChris93]

bummpppp

[buffbrown21]

+1 on this. Tried an Airdyne and really liked it. Picking one up off CL soon, I think.

thinking about airdyne

Airdynes are great. Very durable and can be found regularly for $200 or less (Ive seen them for $40). Of course this will likely vary in the UK. Regardless, its a tough piece of equipment. If you guys get one, dont forget to check out my Airdyne programs.


#1 You can use it in any type of circuit (Tabatas or otherwise).
Example:
20 seconds of pushups
20 seconds of kettlebell swings
20 seconds of squats
20 seconds of Airdyne (go all out for the full 20 seconds on each exercise)

rest 1-2 minutes and repeat 4 times.

Again, this isnt something original and you can use pretty much ANY exercise/ANY time frame with it in a circuit like this. These are great for fat loss and conditioning.



#2 Airdyne Death (be prepared to puke)
Get on Airdyne and get to 100 rpm as fast as possible. After you get to 100 rpm, keep the rpm above 80 for the remainder of the two minutes. Rest 1 minute. Do it again. Do 3 rounds and up it to 5 as you progress.



#3 Arms vs Legs:
Airdyne Bike – 40-20 Intervals: This workout is a favorite of combat athletes all over the world. It is very demanding but for those of you who can make it to the end the reward is great.

Legs-Only- 40 seconds, 20 seconds off
Arms-Only – 40 seconds, 20 seconds off
Legs-Only – 40 seconds, 20 seconds off
Arms-Only – 40 seconds, 20 seconds off
Both Arms and Legs- 40 seconds, 20 seconds off

1-Minute Rest. Perform this 6-minute circuit up to 5x for 30 total minutes


#4 Or, you can simply use it as a finisher. After you complete your weight training, go for 2-5 minutes as hard as you can.

[UkChris93]

really really thinking about getting the airdyne

[UkChris93]

bump

[UkChris93]

bump

this

[buffbrown21]

I dont understand why you keep bumping this. Are you still looking for opinions?

I already gave my opinion about the Airdyne, it is PERFECT for HIIT and somewhat versatile with the legs/arms options. It also fits in a pretty small spot. I have mine on a 4 foot x 2 foot mat and it doesnt stick out past that.
If you need other info about it, please let me know.

The other options you mentioned will be larger (except when you fold the treadmill) and if new, will probably cost more. And durability will not be an issue with the Airdyne as it might for ellipticals, treadmills, etc.

[UkChris93]

I dont understand why you keep bumping this. Are you still looking for opinions?

I already gave my opinion about the Airdyne, it is PERFECT for HIIT and somewhat versatile with the legs/arms options. It also fits in a pretty small spot. I have mine on a 4 foot x 2 foot mat and it doesnt stick out past that.
If you need other info about it, please let me know.

The other options you mentioned will be larger (except when you fold the treadmill) and if new, will probably cost more. And durability will not be an issue with the Airdyne as it might for ellipticals, treadmills, etc.

yeah more info would be good man

im strongly considering getting it

[UkChris93]

dunno what to get

want more opinions from ppl please

[daniel327]

dunno what to get

want more opinions from ppl please

I recommend a medium weight kettlebell (~24kg / 55lb) and a Gym Boss timer.

The kettlebell is unbreakable, the Gym Boss is cheap (when you consider it's usefulness) and the cardio workout you can achieve is insane.

[UkChris93]

bump

[alertse1]

in for answer

[UkChris93]

bump

[cm45]

Just do your cardio out doors it is more fun, and you are more likely to be consistant with it. Go running, jogging, hiking, etc. In the winter you can jump rope indoors. You can buy a good leather jump rope for about $10.

[UkChris93]

Just do your cardio out doors it is more fun, and you are more likely to be consistant with it. Go running, jogging, hiking, etc. In the winter you can jump rope indoors. You can buy a good leather jump rope for about $10.

what else guys lol

[keyboardworkout]

I'm a former skinny road bike racer so this is coming from experience.

You don't need long cardio work if you are trying to gain strength and size. Short intense conditioning work like Tabatas is what you want. This type of conditioning will improve your ability to do work (like that 20 rep squat set or that 2 minute bar fight). Spending 30+ minutes on a piece of cardio equipment isn't going to help your lifts.

If you don't want to get a kettlebell to swing or snatch then get a prowler to push or a sled to pull.

Read this.

http://startingstrength.com/articles...tion_wells.pdf

[UkChris93]

im an endo trying to cut

cardio 5 times/week

[Sharksinurmouth]

would you ever consider kettlebells?

[keyboardworkout]

im an endo trying to cut

cardio 5 times/week

You're 72 inches tall, 181 lbs and trying to cut?

Grown men should weigh 3 lbs for every inch of height.

And if you are being silly and trying to cut, don't attempt to do with cardio what you should be doing with diet.

[dirtyjerz]

Grown men should weigh 3 lbs for every inch of height.

i'm 10 pounds less than this, and i'm pretty big.

get an indoor rower, you think you're in shape till you use one of those.

www.concept2.com they make the best ones. you can find one used.

[Amrit90]

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...tm?Price+Cut=1

That looks good to me

[keeko]

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...tm?Price+Cut=1

That looks good to me

...that machine weighs in at 75kgs/165 lbs. a sturdy machine for anyone over about 110 lbs is going to weigh in at well over 200 lbs, closer to 250.

[ubernoob]

Get a treadmill. It is the best for HIIT. You can adjust the speed, although you will have to adjust the speed and it may take a few seconds before it responds to the speed you desire. I don't mind this as I change speeds every song. After a while you have run 5 miles without even knowing it. I must say I may be biased as I am a runner. I don't mind running outside or on a treadmill.