I go to the gym for 2 pieces of equimpment. Okay, make that 3.
The Roman Chair(s) and the Eliptical. If I could have these pieces of equipment in my home, along with my 8-15lb weights, I’d be set. I would no longer have to go to the gym on the other side of town where all the pretty people stare at themselves in the mirror while they glisten and flex. (okay, it’s not exactly like that, but sometimes I feel like the only fatass who is a member)
Also it would be cheaper in the long run if I had these items in my home…but I digress.
The Roman Chair(s)
#1:
This is really the best ‘Ab Machine’ ever. It’s not easy to use, but it’s worth it. 2 years ago, I couldn’t do 2 exercises in a row. Now I can do 3 sets of 10 pretty easily. (Easily does not mean painlessly) This machine forces your abs to do the work when you pull your legs up. (it works out the back, too. Believe me, you’ll feel it when you use this equipment.)
#2
Until tonight, I didn’t know this machine was also called the Roman Chair.
For the record, I do not do this ‘Superman style’ as shown in the picture (that just makes my back hurt to think about). I use this to target my lower abs. I sit on my bottom, hook my feet on the opposite side, then lean back. I do 3 sets of 10 ‘sit-up style.’ And yes, this hurts the back too, at first. But trust me, as someone who has had a C-section, this is the only exercise I’ve found that will help with the low-ab area–especially around the scar. After I do the leg pull-ups on roman chair 1, I do the exercises on roman chair 2.
The third piece of equipment I want in my house is an eliptical.
What I like about the eliptical is that my knees don’t feel wonky when I run. And I also don’t feel so damn lumberous (is that a word?) when running, so I actually go faster. (as if I’m actually fast. a 12 minute mile is not fast by any stretch. I think my 70 year old mother actually walks faster than that…) The eliptical is great for burning calories (last night I burned 300 in thirty minutes. Rock ON!) I always feel so cow-like on a treadmill and when I’m on the eliptical, I feel like I’m floating on a cloud a skinny cow.
What I don’t like about the eliptical is 30 minutes feels like 3 hours. I think the only thing that might make the time on the eliptical pass faster would be if Mark Wahlberg and Matt Damon were making out in front of me. Live and in person. TMI? Squicky? Fine. They don’t HAVE to be making out. But they have to be half-dressed. Or completely undressed. (for the record, in my world, they’re still making out.)
The other thing I don’t like? My left foot falls asleep, without fail, 7 minutes into my run. Without. Fail. It only happens when I’m on the eliptical. Why? Does anyone get this? I don’t. And it’s irritating. I always feel like Bridget Jones when my run is over. Remember in the movie when she hopped off the bike and her legs promptly buckled? I just know that’s what’s going to happen to me because my left foot is always asleep when I’m finished. For 23 minutes, I run on a sleeping foot. It Sucks.
So there you have it. Those are the only 3 reasons I keep a gym membership. One day, I’ll have all 3 of these beasts in my house. And then they’ll collect dust and clothing be used religiously every day.
Edited to add:
Thanks to Amanda over at Amanda’s Little Rock Blog on About.com for the Fat Chicks Running shout out. That was awesome!
Tags: gym
I *heart* the elliptical. The no impact thing is definitely a bonus. Thanks for the tip about the C-section exercise *I had my first C 1.5yrs ago and I really can feel the difference down there*, I’ll try and find something that will do similar for me at home.
Wahoo for the shout out guys!
We have an elliptical and a treadmill and I use the elliptical waaaaaaaaay more than I use the treadmill – for every reason you mentioned. My feet used to fall asleep too, but then I started tying my shoes looser and it doesn’t seem to be as much of a problem.
I really need to get on that elliptical. Thanks for bringing it up.
I’ve tried the elliptical precisely once. I really, really, really, really hated it. I found the treadmill more natural and easier on my knees.
But I don’t use either now, because I don’t belong to a gym. The last time I joined a gym, it was a nightmare of a poor fit, and I was stuck paying them for a year even though I stopped going after 3 weeks. Don’t think I’ll do that again.
I love ellipticals too. My right foot always falls asleep. I notice that I put most of my weight on the heel of my foot so when my foot falls asleep I make sure to move to the ball of my right foot and that usually takes care of it for me.
Connie, when I first started trying the eliptical, I only made it about 5 minutes before I thought I had died and been transported to hell. It wasn’t fun and it certainly wasn’t easy. Now, it’s still not fun, but I can get through it…but it sounds like your experience on the eliptical is kinda like how I feel about the treadmill. Bleh.
luvssnape, thanks for dropping by. It’s so nice to know I’m not the only one who has had this problem. Kristen suggested loosening my laces, so I’ll try that but I think you’re right, I do use my heels more than the balls of my feet. That could be it. I dunno. I’m just glad it’s not a health problem. I talked to my doc about it once because I thought maybe it was a warning that I was about to have a heart attack. He assured me that wasn’t the case
I’m still not 100% sure about that…
Hey HZ, on the foot falling asleep it may be something to do with your posture. I know when i was training for the San Diego 3 Day that back in June my whole right side was wonky and in pain after only five miles. I started to see a Chiropractor and I feel one hundred times better. Finished the 3 Day (60 miles in 3 Days to support Breast Cancer Research, etc….) the weekend before Thanksgiving and was able to walk ever day including the Monday after. I am however going to lose a toe nail. It is now a lovely purple color and only getting prettier!
I always wondered what that weird squat thing while hanging from your elbows was.
Live and learn!
I have trouble with my foot falling asleep on the eliptical at my gym, too! I have found that if I reverse my foot motion for a few minutes as it starts to happen, it goes away. I do feel really uncoordinated going “backward” on the machine, though! LOL