WWTBAM Bored

I earned some money by altering some drapes for my husband's boss. They were really expensive drapes that were 'custom made' but didn't fit the windows properly.

I billed him for $250 and he thought I didn't charge him enough so he paid me $460! And sent me a nice note of thanks for a great job. Kewl!

So, I want to buy a piece of exercise equipment because my good intentions of getting outside and walking isn't working but I could convince myself to exercise while I watch my taped quilting program.

I think I can add enough to spend about $800.

Thought for those who have an opinion?

I voted for the elliptical, because it has much less impact on the joints. I can't jog (on a treadmill or outside) because I'd be limping away in no time. But this is really a personal preference thing. Have you tried both types of machines at a gym or someplace before? Which one suits you better?

I didn't see the option for lugging two hernia jugs of detergent at one time, so I voted for my favorite station...

lb13

I have never been on an elliptical in my life, but my husband uses one at the gym. I had a treadmill, and it was so noisy you had to crank the TV sky-high to hear over the noise. And it seemed to take a week to walk 3 miles when it normally takes and hour outside. Then it broke.

Treadmills are so boring. I'd rather have a hamster wheel than another one...

christie1111 wrote:I earned some money by altering some drapes for my husband's boss. They were really expensive drapes that were 'custom made' but didn't fit the windows properly.

I billed him for $250 and he thought I didn't charge him enough so he paid me $460! And sent me a nice note of thanks for a great job. Kewl!

So, I want to buy a piece of excersize equipment because my good intentions of getting outside and walking isn't working but I could convince myself to excersize while I watch my taped quilting program.

I think I can add enough to spend about $800.

Thought for those who have an opinion?

Whichever one you will use. I have heard a few trainer-types say the treadmill mimics walking better, and the elliptical mimics running more closely (without the knee stress). The treadmill can be plenty taxing, if you start changing the incline and like that. Either is as easy or hard as you want it to be.

I have not priced either, but my sense is for that money you are probably going to get a better-quality treadmill.

minimetoo26 wrote:Treadmills are so boring. I'd rather have a hamster wheel than another one...

You can have mine, and the toothchipping water bottle that goes with it...

Mr. Hamster

My personal preference is for an elliptical.

I am questioning whether yours would be.

In the beginning, the elliptical will kick your butt - I mean kick your butt. You will not be able to go for as long as you think you "should" be able to go. My concern would be that you would quit using it before it got "easier" and you would be back to doing nothing.

I would get a treadmill if I were you and then if you become interested in changing things up, get an ellitical next year.

I would go with the treadmill because it can be used by anybody at any fitness level and is less likely to seem intimidating to other members of your family.

Buy an old hand crank ice cream maker. Satisfy both your good and bad desires at the same time.

BackInTex wrote:Buy an old hand crank ice cream maker. Satisfy both your good and bad desires at the same time.

Now here's a man who can think out of the box!

Definitely elliptical. We were also considering a treadmill until BD suggested the elliptical, and don't regret the choice at all. You get some upper body work if you use the "ski poles", it's easy on the knees, you can go forward or backward (the latter NOT so easy on the knees), and with some models, you can adjust the incline on the fly, without having to stop.

We've got a NordicTrak 990 (at least I think that's the number), the top of the line sold at Sears. We also sprung for the extra warranty coverage, because it also covers standard tune-ups once a year, besides any repairs. Dunno the prices now, but I'll bet they'll come down soon when the newer models start coming out.

I currently have a treadmill. It is one of those that can go on an incline and vary speeds as desired. However, I am Bored with it and may be looking to trade it in at one of those Play it Again sports shops (we have one nearby) for either an elliptical or some sort of stair climber, if I can find one. I still do my morning power walk of 2 - 3 miles when the weather and my time schedule permits, though.

silvercamaro wrote:I would go with the treadmill because it can be used by anybody at any fitness level and is less likely to seem intimidating to other members of your family.

True, but for a klutz like me, treadmills are scary! For that reason, as well as being easy on the joints, I like the elliptical.

A year ago, I would have said treadmill without a doubt. Now that my feet are about to fall off, I would probably say elliptical, unless you can swear that the only exercise you will do on it is walking. My two cents.

I voted for eliptical.

Usually you can get a better quality eliptical for a cheaper price than what you can get a treadmill.

Cheap elipticals I can exercise on. I hate cheap treadmills.

Also, it is nice as far as cross-training. You can walk outside, and eliptical inside. Two different forms of exercise. If you get the eliptical with the arm function, it is nice for that too. And you can go backwards to catch different muscles. You can go backwards on a treadmill, but I don't trust myself with that safetywise because I am a clutz.

I like doing different sorts of training so that your body doesn't develop muscle imbalances.

So, now we know we have at least 2 klutzes in the group. Perhaps that should have been a fourth selection.