Anyone have a Peloton, or have other recommendations?

[Virgil]

I've been working from home for a year now and my weight it a problem.  I'm fat enough now where basic activities take the wind out of me.  I need motivation or entertainment while working out and keep hearing about the Peloton. I like that they have interactive classes through the screen.

 

Anyone have any reviews or alternative recommendations?

[Pete]

I have a peloton and love it!  it is a great training tool IMO

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

1 hour ago, Virgil said:

I've been working from home for a year now and my weight it a problem.  I'm fat enough now where basic activities take the wind out of me.  I need motivation or entertainment while working out and keep hearing about the Peloton. I like that they have interactive classes through the screen.

 

Anyone have any reviews or alternative recommendations?

i have just your normal recumbent exercise bike, and I think it does the trick. 
 

if you are really out of shape, that may be more realistic to ease into than doing a bunch of spinning classes on a peleton.

[billsfanmiamioh]

We got one probably 5-6 years ago and I figured it would be a 4K coat rack. I’ve been pleasantly surprised that we’ve actually gotten a lot of use out of it. Wife rides pretty regularly and I’ll go through spurts when I’m trying to get in better shape (I usually slack during football season 😬). Just signed up for a 1/2 marathon in the fall about two weeks ago so I’ll be getting back in the saddle.
 

I’ll say this, it’s a hell of a workout. I can be in good enough cardio shape to go run 10 miles no problem but a 30 min ride on the peloton can make me feel like I’m going to die. That being said, there are tons of easy classes for beginners. Just don’t get mad like I do when I see people like “grandmaRides 74F” passing me on the leader board 🤦🏻‍♂️

[Pete]

what I like about the Peloton is the scenic rides- pacific coast, desert, french alps...and if you have one ounce of competitiveness in you, the leader board is what gets you in serious shape.  I always try and break the top 10%

[Simon]

Have you considered an actual bicycle, or are you stuck in a city?

[Success]

I ended up getting a Nordictrack, and it's been fantastic.  They have everything you could want - instructor led classes, and amazing scenic rides w/ guides all over the world (and some of those guides can really push you).

 

I'm sure Peloton has the same, but I've been 100% happy since I got the Nordictrack last year.

 

[EmotionallyUnstable]

We have a Schwin IC4 and use the peloton app with an iPad. The bike was a fraction of the cost of the Peloton. You don’t get live classes, and it’s actually more expensive per month to have a peloton membership without the bike, but it was a much smaller investment up front. 

 

You can still get some of the data and use the recorded classes/rides, although it is admittedly not as detailed and accurate. 
 

It was a good way for us to see if it’s something we use enough to make a larger investment into. We got the bike over the initial Covid quarantine in March 2020, so it has held up well. 
 

 

[\GoBillsInDallas/]

6 hours ago, Virgil said:

I've been working from home for a year now and my weight it a problem.

 

You can buy all of the exercise equipment that you want, but 75% of getting in shape involves eating properly.

[Virgil]

4 hours ago, Simon said:

Have you considered an actual bicycle, or are you stuck in a city?

City

[Marv's Neighbor]

a 4K coat rack....

[Golden*Wheels]

I use a Sunny Fitness bike from ebay...has held up very well over 3+ years and youtube is loaded with free cycling programs.

 

 

[BillsFan4]

8 hours ago, \GoBillsInDallas/ said:

 

You can buy all of the exercise equipment that you want, but 75% of getting in shape involves eating properly.

So true. You can exercise for hours a day then eat all the calories you burned with a couple handfuls of crappy food, or a couple glasses of fatty/sugary drinks.

It takes a LOT of exercise to burn off the excess calories you eat.

 

I’ve been exercising on and off for a few years now but changing my eating habits made the biggest difference in my weight loss, by far. I lost a lot more weight by changing eating habits than anything else. Just simply Eliminating snacks between meals made a big difference. I actually lost more weight over the winter by eliminating snacks (with much less activity) than I did over the summer where I was taking 10+ mile bike rides at least 3x a week but still eating snacks between meals and at night.

 

exercise is still super important though, especially if you live a somewhat sedentary lifestyle. They say that’s one of the worst things for your health, next to smoking and obesity.

 

 

Virgil - one easy thing I’d recommend (besides cutting out snacks between meals) is switching to water as your main drink. I buy bottles of fresh (100% natural) lemon juice and do a few squeezes into my water for flavor. It’s pretty much all I drink now (plain water or lemon water). 

 

I look at it this way -  I would much rather eat my calories than drink them.

 

[BillsFan4]

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/dp-airgometer-exercise-bike-non-131448141
 

I bought myself one of these exercise bikes ⬆️ . There are usually lots of them for sale used in your local classifieds. I liked that it was cheap and that it also worked out your upper body at the same time. Plus the fan wheel helps keep you cooler.
 

then I also bought this mini stair stepper:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Fitness-Stepper-Exercise-Equipment-Resistance/dp/B09NJ4VFGV

 

i actually use the stair stepper more than anything else. I work from home as well and try to use it at least 3-5 times a day, just for short periods of time. Like, I’ll take a short break every hour or two and use the stepper for 5 mins. Or sometimes later at night when I’m watching TV I’ll make myself get up during commercials to use the stepper until the show comes back on. 
 

I also bought one of the old original Total Gyms. I got it cheap. I really enjoy the total gym because there’s so many different exercises you can do on it.

 

I may eventually get myself a cheap rowing machine too, since it’s a quick way to get in an upper+lower body workout.

 

 

So all in, I spent maybe a couple hundred (if that) and I’m plenty happy with the equipment I have. If I were you I’d start with cheaper stuff or just do workouts without exercise equipment. Set small goals.

Too often we think buying exercise equipment will make us exercise, but it won’t. It may motivate you to use it for a short time but you have to find your own motivation to get fit/healthy.

 

 

When I first started working out again I downloaded this free app called “7 minute workout: fitness app”.

 

I’d highly recommend checking it out. It’s a really easy way to get started. There are tons of different 7 min routines, or you can design your own from the list of exercises. Then they have videos that run on timers, so it walks you through each exercise (usually roughly 15-30 seconds each). 

 

here’s the link to the iOS version of the app:
 

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/7-minute-workout-fitness-app/id806995720

[teef]

i think everyone is right with the diet combined with exercise.  

 

my suggestion would be getting out of the house and going to the gym.  i personally do far better when i have to leave to work out, and for whatever reason, seeing other people work out motivates me.  also, don't forget weight training.  cardio is great, but you may get more of the results you want with combined cardio and weights.  i don't do enough cardio as i should because i don't love it, but i look lean due to spending time on core muscles and weights.

[Jay_Fixit]

3 minutes ago, teef said:

i think everyone is right with the diet combined with exercise.  

 

my suggestion would be getting out of the house and going to the gym.  i personally do far better when i have to leave to work out, and for whatever reason, seeing other people work out motivates me.  also, don't forget weight training.  cardio is great, but you may get more of the results you want with combined cardio and weights.  i don't do enough cardio as i should because i don't love it, but i look lean due to spending time on core muscles and weights.

Lol.

[teef]

15 minutes ago, Jay_Fixit said:

Lol.

you know i look good, and you hate it.

[Beast]

3 hours ago, teef said:

i think everyone is right with the diet combined with exercise.  

 

my suggestion would be getting out of the house and going to the gym.  i personally do far better when i have to leave to work out, and for whatever reason, seeing other people work out motivates me.  also, don't forget weight training.  cardio is great, but you may get more of the results you want with combined cardio and weights.  i don't do enough cardio as i should because i don't love it, but i look lean due to spending time on core muscles and weights.

 

Shut up, fatty.

[TheCockSportif]

This is not snark on my part.  Look at Craigslist, and find what you want to use for exercise.  That's what I've done during my 100lb loss journey, and could not be more glad.

[\GoBillsInDallas/]

7 hours ago, teef said:

iseeing other people work out motivates me

 

 

[Pete]

Peloton and yoga- awesome combination for anyone that wants to get in shape fairly quickly.  And a healthy diet would expedite progress 

[BuffaloBud]

30 days is a habit, 90 days is a lifestyle

[Johnny Hammersticks]

If you’re anything like me, get a gym membership somewhere.  I have a treadmill and an elliptical in my basement along with a bunch of free weights.  All collecting dust.  I need to get out of the house to really focus on my workout.  I also get a lot of good tips from others and learn a lot.  

I’ve lost almost 30 pounds since September when I started at the gym.  Mainly light weight training, and loads of cardio.  Changed my diet up quite a bit also.  I pack my lunch for work so I’m not convenience eating garbage food all the time, and I rarely ever eat anything substantial after dinner anymore.  Cut down on beer and wine quite a bit.  Good luck!

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

Reading through this, I really need to get back into shape! 
 

i put on my 20 pounds during Covid and have been so lazy in dropping it. Exercising a lot (mostly basketball and yoga), but not eating right still. 

[Virgil]

On 4/6/2022 at 10:53 PM, Success said:

I ended up getting a Nordictrack, and it's been fantastic.  They have everything you could want - instructor led classes, and amazing scenic rides w/ guides all over the world (and some of those guides can really push you).

 

I'm sure Peloton has the same, but I've been 100% happy since I got the Nordictrack last year.

 

Which one did you get?  Also, how stable is it. I’m pushing upper 200’s and don’t want something wobbly

13 hours ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

If you’re anything like me, get a gym membership somewhere.  I have a treadmill and an elliptical in my basement along with a bunch of free weights.  All collecting dust.  I need to get out of the house to really focus on my workout.  I also get a lot of good tips from others and learn a lot.  

I’ve lost almost 30 pounds since September when I started at the gym.  Mainly light weight training, and loads of cardio.  Changed my diet up quite a bit also.  I pack my lunch for work so I’m not convenience eating garbage food all the time, and I rarely ever eat anything substantial after dinner anymore.  Cut down on beer and wine quite a bit.  Good luck!

I feel like I need to do this to motivate me back to the gym. I also like something quick for when I get bored.  
 

I had a planet fitness membership, but it’s really just me here and it’s kinda boring going alone.  
 

Also, I feel so out of shape that I feel like I need to get in better shape, to get to the gym, if that makes sense 

15 hours ago, Pete said:

Peloton and yoga- awesome combination for anyone that wants to get in shape fairly quickly.  And a healthy diet would expedite progress 

Do you use their yoga workout too?  I was told they have great non- bike classes

On 4/7/2022 at 10:51 AM, BillsFan4 said:

So true. You can exercise for hours a day then eat all the calories you burned with a couple handfuls of crappy food, or a couple glasses of fatty/sugary drinks.

It takes a LOT of exercise to burn off the excess calories you eat.

 

I’ve been exercising on and off for a few years now but changing my eating habits made the biggest difference in my weight loss, by far. I lost a lot more weight by changing eating habits than anything else. Just simply Eliminating snacks between meals made a big difference. I actually lost more weight over the winter by eliminating snacks (with much less activity) than I did over the summer where I was taking 10+ mile bike rides at least 3x a week but still eating snacks between meals and at night.

 

exercise is still super important though, especially if you live a somewhat sedentary lifestyle. They say that’s one of the worst things for your health, next to smoking and obesity.

 

 

Virgil - one easy thing I’d recommend (besides cutting out snacks between meals) is switching to water as your main drink. I buy bottles of fresh (100% natural) lemon juice and do a few squeezes into my water for flavor. It’s pretty much all I drink now (plain water or lemon water). 

 

I look at it this way -  I would much rather eat my calories than drink them.

 

Agreed on the water.  Diet is tough sometimes because I’m such a picky eater.  I don’t eat salad or fish. 
 

Right now, I’m trying to do a pre- workout and just get any form of motion going.  Working from home, I might get 100 steps a day.  It’s rough

[Johnny Hammersticks]

12 hours ago, Virgil said:

I had a planet fitness membership, but it’s really just me here and it’s kinda boring going alone.  
 

Also, I feel so out of shape that I feel like I need to get in better shape, to get to the gym, if that makes sense 

I should have also noted that I do have a regular workout partner.  A friend of mine who has similar goals in terms weight loss, strength training, and diet.  It helps tremendously.  If I get lazy and decide I don’t want to go to the gym one day it doesn’t just impact me…it also impacts his routine.  That has been really motivating.  

[BillsFan4]

12 hours ago, Virgil said:

Which one did you get?  Also, how stable is it. I’m pushing upper 200’s and don’t want something wobbly

I feel like I need to do this to motivate me back to the gym. I also like something quick for when I get bored.  
 

I had a planet fitness membership, but it’s really just me here and it’s kinda boring going alone.  
 

Also, I feel so out of shape that I feel like I need to get in better shape, to get to the gym, if that makes sense 

Do you use their yoga workout too?  I was told they have great non- bike classes

Agreed on the water.  Diet is tough sometimes because I’m such a picky eater.  I don’t eat salad or fish. 
 

Right now, I’m trying to do a pre- workout and just get any form of motion going.  Working from home, I might get 100 steps a day.  It’s rough

I’m a picky eater myself so I know what you mean. I’m not real big on salads. Don’t like fish. I mainly only eat the standard vegetables (peas, green beans, carrots, corn, etc). But I just started with what I like.

 

1/2 of your plate should technically be the vegetable. Only a 1/4 should be meat and 1/4 carb is a good place to start (or no carbs. But that can be hard).

 

You could also start by cutting out snacks in between meals (or at least one meal).

 

It’s also helpful (for weight loss) not to eat after like 7pm or so each day. Snacking right before bed is the worst. It doesn’t get burned off.

 

 

One thing that helped me eat a bit healthier - I bought one of those bullet blenders and started making my own smoothies. It’s a way for me to get some healthier options (fruits and veggies) into my diet. You can kind of mask the taste of the healthier stuff by adding in (fat free) yogurt and/or granola etc. There’s tons of smoothie recipes out there.

 

I actually use the bullet blender to make myself meal replacement shakes too. A lot of days I’ll just do a smoothie for lunch.

 

Check out that 7 minute workout app I linked too. It’s free. It’s a good way to start exercising. They have beginner routines, and it’s only 7 minutes long. Plus, you can set it to remind you daily to do your 7min routine. And it keeps track of your streaks, so it’s kind of motivating (or at least it was for me).

 

It’d be a good start. Either that or start taking daily walks.

 

Good luck Virgil! 

 

[Success]

15 hours ago, Virgil said:

Which one did you get?  Also, how stable is it. I’m pushing upper 200’s and don’t want something wobbly

 

 

S22i.  It seems like a really solid bike in terms of stability, though I can't really compare it to anything. The only time it gets a little wobbly for me is when it's a steep incline, and usually just the handlebars & console.  I'm a little over 200.

 

It's always good to check Amazon reviews for stuff like that too, just to get different perspectives.

 

[Mike in Horseheads]

@Virgil.... I'd be worried if Peloton will be around to support their products .  https://www.forbes.com/sites/edwardsegal/2022/01/21/peloton-faces-challenges-before-it-can-recover-from-its-latest-crisis/?sh=3bdc52a915c3

[Virgil]

26 minutes ago, Mike in Horseheads said:

@Virgil.... I'd be worried if Peloton will be around to support their products .  https://www.forbes.com/sites/edwardsegal/2022/01/21/peloton-faces-challenges-before-it-can-recover-from-its-latest-crisis/?sh=3bdc52a915c3

I think they’ve already rebounded from that. Or so I’ve read 

[Mike in Horseheads]

2 minutes ago, Virgil said:

I think they’ve already rebounded from that. Or so I’ve read 

OK great. I knew at one point there was a lot of talk of them going under. Good luck on your program!

[dpberr]

I'm making three non-exercise equipment suggestions here, especially if you've felt you failed on a diet before:

 

#1. If you have good to great health insurance, you may want to consider enrolling in your health system's weight management center.  These centers are usually split into two - medical weight management and bariatrics (surgical weight loss).  Medical weight loss, coupled with guidance from a nutritionist and exercise may be the ticket to long term success, especially if you're in your 30s and up.  Metabolism and genetics are cruel, unrelenting factors, and eating habits and the urge to eat are very difficult to change.  Food is much like alcohol - you can get addicted to it, and addiction is very hard to break, especially in times of stress and boredom.  

 

#2.  Get your testosterone levels checked.  If you are deficient or severely deficient in testosterone, you're not losing that belly fat.  Testosterone therapy is expensive BUT it's quite beneficial.  The majority of men are deficient in testosterone - you'll have the outliers, but for the majority of us, we're losing it slowly by our late 20s.  

 

#3.  Sleep apnea is a big problem in overweight men.  Fixing that, along with losing the weight, can help a lot.   

[Golden*Wheels]

I'd throw in....get a weight/meal tracker app. I used mine heavily at first and it really showed me (as I did know all along but liked to pretend I didn't) how many BS calories i was fitting into my day. Once I saw that, I just got smarter, and stopped tracking meals (it was a pain but I learned the lesson).

 

Now I just use it to track my weight and I still find it super useful. Keeps me on task and on target.

[Punching Bag]

21 hours ago, Mike in Horseheads said:

@Virgil.... I'd be worried if Peloton will be around to support their products .  https://www.forbes.com/sites/edwardsegal/2022/01/21/peloton-faces-challenges-before-it-can-recover-from-its-latest-crisis/?sh=3bdc52a915c3

 

With prices they charge almost as bad as PSLs.

They appear to have more and more commercials so evidently their solution to being not enough rich people to buy is more commercials and junk mail.

[Punching Bag]

6 hours ago, dpberr said:

#2.  Get your testosterone levels checked.  If you are deficient or severely deficient in testosterone, you're not losing that belly fat.  Testosterone therapy is expensive BUT it's quite beneficial.  The majority of men are deficient in testosterone - you'll have the outliers, but for the majority of us, we're losing it slowly by our late 20s.  

 

There are a number of testosterone studies out there and medication is free.  I was in one but there was a heart rhythm they did not want to proceed with without a cardiologist given an okay but I could not find appointment in time to remain in study.  I think my testosterone has been low since high school when I was misdiagnosed with a medical condition but doctor says it is not.

[dpberr]

16 hours ago, Limeaid said:

 

There are a number of testosterone studies out there and medication is free.  I was in one but there was a heart rhythm they did not want to proceed with without a cardiologist given an okay but I could not find appointment in time to remain in study.  I think my testosterone has been low since high school when I was misdiagnosed with a medical condition but doctor says it is not.

I think any man over the age of 25 should have it checked every couple years.  Male menopause is just as real as the female menopause.  Low testosterone wrecks a man's shop, especially in helping keep a beer belly.  

[Punching Bag]

1 minute ago, dpberr said:

I think any man over the age of 25 should have it checked every couple years.  Male menopause is just as real as the female menopause.  Low testosterone wrecks a man's shop, especially in helping keep a beer belly.  

 

Some bodies may have enough testosterone but body is not utilizing it.  It is partly why I signed up for study which was not using placebos but were studying side effects on products already on market.

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

19 hours ago, Golden*Wheels said:

I'd throw in....get a weight/meal tracker app. I used mine heavily at first and it really showed me (as I did know all along but liked to pretend I didn't) how many BS calories i was fitting into my day. Once I saw that, I just got smarter, and stopped tracking meals (it was a pain but I learned the lesson).

 

Now I just use it to track my weight and I still find it super useful. Keeps me on task and on target.

I did the same. It is amazing when you start to be calorie conscious. Like, that “healthy salad” is actually more calories than a burger and fries?! Or, is it really worth it to have a muffin that is equal to

700 calories. 
 

just makes you make better informed decisions. 
 

i used myfitness pal and was religious about it for about 2 years straight. Dropped 70 pounds. Covid derailed me and I got away from it and put on 20. 
 

[Golden*Wheels]

1 hour ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

I did the same. It is amazing when you start to be calorie conscious. Like, that “healthy salad” is actually more calories than a burger and fries?! Or, is it really worth it to have a muffin that is equal to

700 calories. 
 

just makes you make better informed decisions. 
 

i used myfitness pal and was religious about it for about 2 years straight. Dropped 70 pounds. Covid derailed me and I got away from it and put on 20. 
 

NIce, and very nice! That is the same app I use, easy and free.

 

I honestly was too embarrassed to take the progress pictures each day as it offers to you....now I kind I wish I had. Took me three+ years but I went from 197 (with some bodacious ta tas) to 165 (just thinner) and now I am at 176 (but almost all new weight is muscle, and my boobies turned into lil baby pecs).

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

51 minutes ago, Golden*Wheels said:

NIce, and very nice! That is the same app I use, easy and free.

 

I honestly was too embarrassed to take the progress pictures each day as it offers to you....now I kind I wish I had. Took me three+ years but I went from 197 (with some bodacious ta tas) to 165 (just thinner) and now I am at 176 (but almost all new weight is muscle, and my boobies turned into lil baby pecs).

that is great. I hear you on the pics. I didn’t do that either. I went from 213

and at one point bottomed out to a lean 148. Took me about a year.  I stayed at the 148-155 range steadily for about 3 years. I was on cruise control. 
 

When Covid hit, I got away from the app and from exercising and started eating poorly. So now I am at 175. All the excess sitting near my waist, of course!  It is a lot tougher to get back the drive to use the app and get down to my ideal weight. 
 

I would actually like to only drop to like 165-168, but lose fat and build muscle.