Suggest a cardio machine?

[jimt91]

I was just thinking about saving up for some sort of cardio machine for my garage gym. All I'd mainly use it for is warming up before a workout so I don't want to spend a lot of money, but at the same time something effective. I was thinking of some sort of Row machine because they seem popular from doing a few searches. Right now warming up is what I need it for the most, but when I start my cut months down the road I'm sure I'll be using it a lot more.

any suggestions would be great, thanks

[ironwill2008]

All I'd mainly use it for is warming up before a workout so I don't want to spend a lot of money, but at the same time something effective.

Either buy a $3 jump rope or just do a few sets of Clean & Press with an empty bar.

[jimt91]

I have a jump rope, the clean and press would be a good idea actually though. It's really cold here though and that's why I was thinking about getting something to get my blood pumping just a little more. I find it's hard to get warmed up no matter what I do when it's literally freezing lol.

[buffbrown21]

If you just want a warm up, some basic bodyweight exercises, jump rope, kettlebell moves should work well.

[cgc]

ShakeWeight

[817boy]

I would get a Prowler, (i have an elliptical but recently got a Prowler and i regret not buying the prowler sooner)
You could use the Prowler for conditioning or strength training.

http://www.flexcart.com/members/elit...d=390&pid=1006


http://www.flexcart.com/members/elit...d=390&pid=4546

[oldline70]

Jim-

There are many good options for what you want to do.
I think if I were you, I would look for a used Schwinn Airdyne, if you like stationary cycling as your warmup.
For one thing, Airdynes can be found relatively cheaply on craigslist, and if it's a true Schwinn Airdyne (there's a lot of cheaper knockoffs which may have unpredictable reliability), it will be a tank and if it's in decent shape it will serve you well for a long time with minimal maintenance.
If you find you like the Airdyne, there's dozens of workouts (search Airdyne on bb.com forums)-I've seen many routines, some of which people claim will make you puke if you do them hard enough! These will be MUCH more than warmup routines, though, so you might not be interested in taking it that far, but routines are there if you do.
If you don't like the Airdyne, and cycling in general, then there are other options like NordicTraks (I know I'm a geek but I still have my 20-year old model and it works great for me).
Rowers are great, IF you like rowing, but I'd suggest finding one and trying it out first, because until you get the hang of it, rowing can be hard to master. Done properly, rowing can be a beast, though. If you have the money, and want a rower, Concept 2 is many people's choice as the best way to go but there are other options, by most accounts not quite as good as the C2.
Treadmill is an option, but good ones tend to be expensive and can take up a bit of room. Cheaper ones can be hit-or-miss as far as quality and longevity.
I'd suggest getting an idea of what you like and trying stuff out before you commit to buy. Be patient and you'll find what you need.
Good luck in your search.

[buffbrown21]

Jim-

There are many good options for what you want to do.
I think if I were you, I would look for a used Schwinn Airdyne, if you like stationary cycling as your warmup.
For one thing, Airdynes can be found relatively cheaply on craigslist, and if it's a true Schwinn Airdyne (there's a lot of cheaper knockoffs which may have unpredictable reliability), it will be a tank and if it's in decent shape it will serve you well for a long time with minimal maintenance.
If you find you like the Airdyne, there's dozens of workouts (search Airdyne on bb.com forums)-I've seen many routines, some of which people claim will make you puke if you do them hard enough! These will be MUCH more than warmup routines, though, so you might not be interested in taking it that far, but routines are there if you do.
If you don't like the Airdyne, and cycling in general, then there are other options like NordicTraks (I know I'm a geek but I still have my 20-year old model and it works great for me).
Rowers are great, IF you like rowing, but I'd suggest finding one and trying it out first, because until you get the hang of it, rowing can be hard to master. Done properly, rowing can be a beast, though. If you have the money, and want a rower, Concept 2 is many people's choice as the best way to go but there are other options, by most accounts not quite as good as the C2.
Treadmill is an option, but good ones tend to be expensive and can take up a bit of room. Cheaper ones can be hit-or-miss as far as quality and longevity.
I'd suggest getting an idea of what you like and trying stuff out before you commit to buy. Be patient and you'll find what you need.
Good luck in your search.

I have an Airdyne and a Concept 2 rower. Both are excellent for cardio/conditioning and can usually be had for decent prices (used or new) and are both practically bombproof.
I am fairly certain some of the routines that you mentioned here are the ones I have posted on this forums many times over.
I can provide those if the OP does decide to puchase one of these.

[oldline70]

Thanks, bufbrown-yours were the exact routines I was thinking of when I posted!