Ced,

I'm 27 and I've tried getting back into aerobic activity but one thing always limits me...it's also the main reason I became as inactive as I did. Playing basketball in my last year of my Master's degree, I tore my MCL in my right knee.

I was out of commission for two whole weeks. I put off surgery thinking that I would have to repeat my last year of school (at a time when I couldn't afford private Jesuit school prices). I completed school, and then ended up not even taking any Physical Therapist positions and took a position with an IT/Business consulting company that got me started working right away. I never ended up having a "right" time in my life to get the knee surgery I need(ed)....and now I fear that it may be too late anyway.

Any type of lateral movement feels like it jeopardizes my knee. It actually bends inward toward my left knee. It's the most eerie-looking thing.

I've tried getting back into tennis, b-ball, running on a treadmill (which I find highly boring and inmotivating), and bicycling (which I am more than willing to do). In college, I had the use of the Olympic size pool which usually was filled with collegiate hard bodies of the female persuasion. It was a great motivation tool for me to go swimming. Unfortunately, the local Lifetime fitness has too many behemoth house wives, too many little kids, and too many elderly swimming in the pools. Also, it cost much more than I'm willing to spend annually for membership.

BTW, after talking it over with the wife, she definitely doesn't agree with me spending a $1000 on equipment that I may only use for a short period of time. I did get started on a small routine that includes floor exercies and free weights. In another week or two, I will start-up the body-for-life routine/ diet discipline I used to be on.

 

I picked up a used Bowflex about 5 years ago. $400 - I'd recommend it although we normally end up going to the gym anyway. The missus is more motivated by being in the gym.

The Bowflex is relatively compact and portable. That shaking? Probably good in that you are doing some work and can't really "cheat" by having a machine stabilize the load for you.

Pick one up used if you want a machine at home. Even if you don't really like it you can always bail and not take too much of a beating. Having said that, free weights do seem to be more effective.

my .02

 

I agree with much of what JonasM has already offered.

Finally a topic i've put a lot of research and time into (having just recently lost 53 lbs.) First if your goal is to look leaner and meaner than aerobic activity is the way to go. Unfortunately a lot of aerobic activity has a tendency to break down muscle when not used in conjunction with a weight trainning program so you get that lanky appearance (like distance runners). A program with both is highly recomended.

My goal was to increase muscle mass which increases basal metabolic rate (muscles are hungry you know). I did little aerobic activity for 4 months while I trained hard then gradually added cardio sessions. I still have 30 or so lbs. to go but it is still coming off nicely while my body fat levels have dropped significantly.

 

Maybe we should start a Before/After gallery for some of us that are interested in seeing results of what people have accompished using different systems.

Interesting, nontheless.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Luder94
[B]BTW,

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Cedric Tomkinson
[B]

Aaagh!... Too much information!

 

Luder, I think you really owe it to yourself to get that knee looked at sometime soon by someone who knows what they're doing!

Good luck with your programme. I like the bike idea, ...we bought a couple of full suspension mountain bikes about 3 years ago. Damn you need restraint when you're shopping for those things... have you seen some of the prices you can pay?!

 

dude man... get a fineass GF... have a lot of sex at night.. you'll be back in shape in no time man

 

I have had fitness equipment at home, had access to decent facilities at work, and know associates that have spent untold thousands on equipment and places to put it.

After years I have found one thing that is more effective (for cost and results) than any other, and that is a membership to a good gym. One with all the equipment (not the sports / sauna stuff) and people that know how to use it.

 

Now if only my wife would allow this regimine...