Bowflex?
 

Anybody got one? DH surfed Craigslist and found one for $350. He's got it into his head that we need one of these things because we're fat asses and the kids would train with it for their sports (cheer/gymnastics and wrestling/baseball).

Personally, I am anticipating the purchase of an expensive clothes rack.

What do you think?

I've used one in the past and they are great - if you actually use it.

I say buy one once you've begun and stuck to an exercise routine for long enough to know that you're not going to hang clothes on it. There are tons of exercises you can do using only your own body weight or small pieces of equip (ball, stretchy band, bosu etc) to get started with. My trainer is not a big fan of machines and has shown me a ton if you want some ideas to get started with.

I don't know anything about Bowflex other than you do not see them in real gyms.

$350 buys a lot of free weights and they take up a lot less space when you stop using them in a month.

Here's a spoiler: Exercise is boring and it sucks. Activities like cycling, swimming, running, soccer, basketball, hiking, walking, skiing are fun and don't suck.

$350 is too much. Do real sports where you can, If you need an indoor machine, don't spend gajillions on it -when you don't use it as much as you planned it will make you hate exercise all the more because of the wasted money. You're more likely to use it if it was "cheap as chips" and so no loss if you barely touch it. Trust me, I'm a Dr.

I agree, for anybody just starting out, you can do a lot with resistance bands and stuff. And they're cheap and easy to store.

(Note to self: Why don't you take this advice instead of giving it? I swear, I'm going to watch that Beginning Pilates video one of these days.)

Yeah, do something fun instead.

Alternatively the monetary investment could be construed as a motivating factor.

My wife's been doing pilates for the last 6-9 months or so (attending a class) and it's freaking awesome what it has done for her. She is really happy with the shape she's in, and her abs are amazing. She complains on weeks when the class is canceled or she has to skip for some reason.

That's because Instructor Sven is an amazing motivator. ;)

You jerk, my Instructor Sven was killed on 9/11. Have you no soul?

As the wife of the owner of a treadmill that has been used exactly twice, I can assure you that factor is no motivation at all.

I drive 30+ minutes 5 days a week to use a treadmill.

Exercise is fun Juniper, don't let the nay-sayers ruin it for you before you get started. It also makes 'fun" activities more enjoyable and less likely to injure you.

If you have been talking about getting in shape, I say go for it. Invest in a calendar or workout journal that you can keep close by. Make a plan, write it down, then work the plan. (note my signature :)) Start easy, say 20 min a day 3 times a week for 3 weeks. Then re-evalute. Were you able to keep that schedule? Want to do more? Too much? Pump each other up. Start some kind of competition with each other...whatever motivates you. Don't forget to treat yourself either. After you have done 25 workouts, treat yourself to a new toy...preferably something workout related. Maybe a new dri-fit T-shirt, or new CD to workout to. Brag to us here too!!!

Before I had my daughter, I belonged to the Y and worked out there. After she was born, I had to squeeze in workouts whenever I could, so buying a treadmill made sense for me. The large amount of money I spent (1K+) works to motivate me to use it when there is bad weather or I don't have anyone to watch the kid. I also invested money in some good workout music to help pump me up when I am stuck down there. Decorating the walls around it with old race numbers, posters, and finishers medals helps keep me motivated too.

The bottom line is we don't want to do things that aren't fun, so do what you need to to make this fun for the both of you. Good Luck!!!

Sorry to hear that. I can't really do the treadmill. Way too limiting and the impact on my legs drove me to use an elliptical. I do like the ease, flexibility and the evenness of the Bowflex. As compared to a weight bench... not even close. Bowflex rocks!

I agree. I love the feeling now that I get working out and feeling fit(ter?) Plus when out doing stuff, be it work or play, I find I have a lot more energy and endurance and that makes me feel better both physically and mentally.