elyptical vs treadmill

Hi all, I've used both of these machines and a couple of different brands. I'm thinking of buying one for the home as gyms are not currently an option and winter is closing in (I hybernate!). I'm leaning towards a treadmill because it would probably be used by my wife and I'm sure my daughter would love to "play" on it. She's 5 and thinks excercise is fun and asks me to show her weight lifting (she's on the right track there). Any thoughts on which way to go, and how to best involve a 5 year old with this form of excercise?

cheers

A manual treadmill would be safer than a motorized treadmill in regards to your daughter getting on it, that way if she falls or trips the belt does not keep moving. Treadmills can be very dangerous around children. Make sure the "cut off" cord is engaged when using it so it can be stopped quickly should you need to. And of course it goes without saying to never leave a child to play or walk on a treadmill unattended. I have very strict rules when it comes to my treadmill and my son. I have a "off limits" area that extends several feet around and behind the treadmill when I am on it. I put down towels or pillows about 4 feet out from the treadmill, he knows he can not cross over these things. I will let him on it, but with me standing right there ready to pull the safety cord.
anyway, just a few things to consider if you do decide to get a treadmill. I think it's great that she wants to lift weights My son does pushups and pull ups with me and loves to "workout" (he likes to show off his "guns" )

Oh my daughter already knows the rules reguarding the weights, the treadmill will or other machine will be learned quickly as well. I'm a stickler for safety... especially with her.

My daughter likes to flex her arms as well .

I have owned an elliptical (just a plain jane inexpensive one), and ended up selling it because I felt like I got a better workout on the treadmill. Not sure if the more expensive ellipticals would have been better, but if your wife is more apt to use the treadmill then I think that would be the way to go. I bought a used Reebok treadmill 8 years ago, and it is still going strong. There are many different brands, models, etc. out there just depends on what you want (basic or high tech). I can tell you that the one I have has all kinds of pre-programmed workouts, heartrate gadget, i-fit capabilities and I never use them now So not sure if they are really worth it.
Anyway, around the first of the year I think you can get some good deals on fitness equipment cause of all the "new year resolutions" sales

I don't know if I want to weight that long, lol. that's still 3 months off. HO hum, I do know I want a 3 HP motor in it and auto inclining feature 10-15% capability with standard 20x55or60 tread. Programs don't matter to me much but a heart monitor is nice as long as it's accurate. Folding or stationary doesn't matter to me.

I've been searching KIJIJI for one but they are all really old or narrow tracks (16"-that's small for me) or they have only a 2 1/4 hp motor or finally they are asking way to much for a used machine (at least I think so).

I think I was spoiled at the gym-I liked their machines, lol.

cheers

yeah, I think that is why I was unhappy with my elliptical...I was used to the ones at the gym and could not produce the same workout with my home owned one.

My treadmill has a 20" wide by 60" long running surface, and I love it....would never consider having anything shorter or narrower. Not too sure how accurate the HR monitor is...it gives me some pretty wacky readings at times! The incline feature is great to have (although mine finally quit this year ) I miss having that option. Also, be sure to check the cushioning of the surface...make sure it has a good cushioned deck...and don't forget the most important features...the water bottle holder and magazine rack!!! Gotta have those!

HRMs are hit or miss. It's nothing personal, Lynne (:

Consider also the Concept II rowing machine.

For about the same price as a "home gym elliptical" you end up with a professional gym rowing machine. It will last a life time as a home gym piece of equipment.

It works more muscles than either an elliptical or a treadmill, so it is easier to get your pulse rate up.

Also consider the "free" stair climber. I have 13 steps from my basement to the first floor. I simply stride up and down the stairs for 20 minutes. You can't cheat like you can on a stair climber and there is no maintenance to do. You really need 10+ steps to make a decent workout of it, but if you have that available, you can get an awesome workout with no outlay of cash at all (except for the I-Pod).

Music is definately a motivator!

I used to love using the row machine but now find it difficult to keep up do to tendinitus in the the shoulders and hands and wrists.... pain in the shoulders from high repitition and hands fall asleep if I have to hold onto things for two long. Shoulders were from being 18 years old doing to much with too little knowledge. Hands and wrists thanks to job with Toyota factory (vibrations from air tools).

Ho hum, lol.
cheers

Music is definately a motivator!

I used to love using the row machine but now find it difficult to keep up do to tendinitus in the the shoulders and hands and wrists.... pain in the shoulders from high repitition and hands fall asleep if I have to hold onto things for two long. Shoulders were from being 18 years old doing to much with too little knowledge. Hands and wrists thanks to job with Toyota factory (vibrations from air tools).

Ho hum, lol.
cheers

Stair climbing then; no purchase required.

mine are 12 or 13 steps, how long would you recommend, intervals, variations?
cheers

mine are 12 or 13 steps, how long would you recommend, intervals, variations?
cheers

I started with 5 minutes and I added 1 minute a week until I got to 20 minutes. I alternate between climbing every step and taking 2 steps at a time.

Note that going up the stairs is relatively safe; walking down the stairs is relatively safe when you are fresh, but becomes riskier as you tire. Take care walking down the steps.

Also, count the exact number of steps. If it is an even number you are ok to start with the same foot each climb. If it is an odd number then you need to alternate which foot takes the first step or you will have one leg with 7% to 8% more work.

Surprisingly this is much more tiring than using a stairmaster. My quads are always burning at the end of the 20 minutes.

Also, start with less time than you think gives you a real workout as there will be some residual weariness for the next workout. (I climb 5 times per week; row 5 times per week; speed bag/heavy bag/martial arts bag 5 times per week--20 minutes each--60 minutes per workout total).

(But I'm 61; you can't expect to reach those goals until you ripen.)

Nah, Vamp is pretty much all that these days . No longer a fitness Catterpillar, still metamorphosing in the cocoon of uncertainty. In the early days of working out, he was just a mere inch, but now he's nearly the whole nine yards

Just make sure if you have stair carpet Vamp, you put some spare cash aside, for new stuff, because you might be wearing out the current stuff, sooner than you think.

Nah, Vamp is pretty much all that these days . No longer a fitness Catterpillar, still metamorphosing in the cocoon of uncertainty. In the early days of working out, he was just a mere inch, but now he's nearly the whole nine yards

Just make sure if you have stair carpet Vamp, you put some spare cash aside, for new stuff, because you might be wearing out the current stuff, sooner than you think.

I assumed that these were the cellar stairs, in which case a can of floor paint every 3 - 4 years will resolve the wear issues.

When I was in college we used to "run the stadium bleachers". The bleachers were concrete. We ran up the bleachers (about 16" - 18" rise) and ran down the stairs. This greatly improve my 1/4 mile times and gave my quads a terrific burn. (You still have to be very careful when running down the stairs as you can trip very easily when tired.)

Good call on the paint. If they're wood, occasionally recoating with a solid Polyurathane will tackle that.