Someone please tell me I do NOT need an elliptical trainer!!

[Purl]

I fell in love with one at Dick's Sporting Goods yesterday. It costs $400. We don't have $400. I'd have to put it on credit and it would take 4 months to pay it off.Dh and I have a plan for reducing our LARGE cc debt and this would only add to it. It's so cold outside (-2 degrees) and I woke up really wanting a good cardio, but I have bad bad knees. Uggh! I WANT THAT NEW TOY!!!!! It will probably be 1-2 months before it's warm enough to go outside first thing in the morning-and I could use it when the baby takes her nap, instead of taking an hour and a half to go for a 6 mile walk. See all the reasons I should get one? Except the sticker price....

someone PLEASE slap some sense into me! or better yet-knock me out so I can't run out to the store first thing this morning!!!!

[sport]

Do you have a rebounder. It will cost you about $60 and will be good for your lymphatic system as well as giving you a low impact cardio workout that will not damage your joints. I have had an eliptical machine for many years and I would be able to write my name on the dust covering it.

[Broken]

You do not need an elliptical! (How was that?) If you didn't have a credit card, how would you pay for it? You'd save for it, you'd buy one used (do you have a Play it Again, Sports near you? Gently used exercise equipment at a more reasonable price).

I knew some folks who used those Leslie Sansomes Walk Away the Pounds DVD's. Just need a TV and the DVD, I think.

Oh, and consider cutting up those credit cards. Consider it hard. We use debit for all purchases, including on-line. If we don't have the money for it, it doesn't get purchased. There's such a freedom in living this way, and I recommend it to everyone. If you can do raw foods (especially in the beginning, when the benefits aren't there, and the temptations are), you can do no credit cards!

I don't know if you're familiar with him, but Dave Ramsey has a great book The Total Money Makeover. He's very anti-debt, and he's helped a lot of people eliminate the debt they have created along with not accumulating new debt.

[mbf]

oh tough call, I feel that fitness is so important for mind and body so I would say it's an investmant in your health and life . The rebounder suggestion is awesome !! go to www.urbanrebounding.com you can pick up some videos there or check e-bay.I'm a certified urban rebounding instructor and can't say enough about this wonderful mode of exercise.

I personally would go for some type of equipment that will get you moving.Daily exercise will change your life, especially combined with a raw food lifestyle !!

BUT still I say look for another purchasing option if possible. Try Sears, they are having a clearance on all the fitness stuff right now, I saw an elliptical for around $300. recently, maybe they have no payments/interest thing going on that will at least give you a little tie to catch up on the other bills, you still have to pay for it and I hate to suggest those things but I would like to see you happily exercising everyday. I just got off my elliptical a little while ago, I have 3 kids and I know how hard it is to get that workout in.
Alos check the classifieds in your local paper, a lot of people get rid of exercise equipment dirt cheap and it's already put together.

Fit TV has great shows on in morning, if you can catch Gilad's shows all you will need are some hand weights and your cranking !

Best of luck !

MBF

[danened]

I do have an elliptical and I love it. I had to give up a treadmill because my knees were bothering me. That said, I would not go into debt to get one when there are other forms of exercise you can do instead. Get out of debt first and then save for what you want.

I also belong to a yahoo group called freecycle.com I don't know if they have them in your area, but it is a group for people who have things to give away or for people to post what they need. Our treadmill worked well, but the tread needed some help. We saw a person on freecycle that was looking for a treadmill... we contacted him and he came and got our treadmill and fixed the tread with adhesive and duct tape (what man can't fix something with duct tape? ) Anyway, he had had back surgery and needed something that would incline that he could walk on... we had a treadmill that wasn't being used... both people were happy and we didn't need to further fill the landfills to do it. Everything on the site is free if you are will to travel to get it.

Hope this helps!

[Sass]

I fell in love with one at Dick's Sporting Goods yesterday. It costs $400. We don't have $400. I'd have to put it on credit and it would take 4 months to pay it off.Dh and I have a plan for reducing our LARGE cc debt and this would only add to it. It's so cold outside (-2 degrees) and I woke up really wanting a good cardio, but I have bad bad knees. Uggh! I WANT THAT NEW TOY!!!!! It will probably be 1-2 months before it's warm enough to go outside first thing in the morning-and I could use it when the baby takes her nap, instead of taking an hour and a half to go for a 6 mile walk. See all the reasons I should get one? Except the sticker price....

someone PLEASE slap some sense into me! or better yet-knock me out so I can't run out to the store first thing this morning!!!!

You should check out ebay, they had lots of them for a wide variety of price ranges.

[Miranda]

i bought an elliptical from shopnbc.com two weeks ago and LOVE it. i'm only paying $80 a month for it. i thought about joining a gym but would have to find the time to go...but having equipment in my home gives me NO excuses...

[theresaann]

one of the best aerobic workouts I get is with an aerobic step bench. I have The Firm's transfirmer system also which you can get at target for like $70. It is a GREAT cardio workout. Sometimes I use the stepper without a dvd, just do it to music on my own. It's really challenging, if I want it to be. I use this when the weather is not great for powerwalking. Doesn't cost much, take up much space and VERY effective. It doesn't have to cost a lot to get in great shape....

[rawfigure]

Well based on what I do for a living and what I have seen in regards to "credit card debt" and how it hinders, affects and ruins ones ability to save for the future, build a nest age so you have cash to buy what you want...and so I could go on but no one wants me to rant on credit card debt, believe me ! ...If you have debt I would not add to it. Yes Health is important but you can do other things till the weather is warm. You have survived many winters with out it so Why MUST you have it now ? Hold off till you can pay cash. Or better yet till the debt is paid off ! Hows that for advice ? Sorry you asked right ! ??

[spockafina]

If you have debt I would not add to it. Yes Health is important but you can do other things till the weather is warm. You have survived many winters with out it so Why MUST you have it now ? Hold off till you can pay cash. Or better yet till the debt is paid off ! Hows that for advice ? Sorry you asked right ! ??

I totally agree.
There are things you can do until the weather warms up - why not just bundle up and go for a long walk on the weekends? Once you start moving, your body will warm up and you'll feel so good.

Exercise videos are another good option - my mother likes Denise Austin - very uplifting and motivating - she'll get you moving.

But do you really want to put yourself deeper in debt just so you can have something to do for the next 2 months?

It's not worth it and chances are, if any sort of costly emergency comes up, you'll really regret buying the elliptical.



EDIT - did I just read in another post of yours that you have a Gazelle? so why do you need the elliptical?

[karenisraw]

Don't buy an elliptical. I am in the same situation where I can't really afford it. I have other debts to pay and for now I either excercise in my living room by doing aerobics etc. or Go outside walking when it is warm enough. I let my credit card bills get out of hand one time along with some medical bills and had to file bankruptcy. I would try to get your current debts under control first and then destroy your dredit cards and then save up for excercise equipment.

k
good luck.
:) :)

[Arianna]

I love my elliptical but I also have a cheap rebounder and love it just as much! I had to get the elliptical for knee rehab (or surgery, the elliptical was cheaper ) It's not worth going in debt for though. I bought mine at Dick's on sale around the holidays.

[Born2run]

DH and I went to Value Village the other day. He got a health rider for $14.99. A few years ago we saw the same thing at the Mall for $469.00. A savings of 454.00. It is in perect shape and it doesn't look like anyone used it. If you look around maybe you can get an elyptical machine for an affordable price. I've seen some pretty good deals in the Nickle saver news papers too. They have a variety of titles pennysaver,We have the Little Nickle. Good luck, I hope you can find one a little cheaper. Judy ;)