Exercise machine at home vs Gym/Jogging around or other idea

[Spitfire]

Would like to know the general consensus on this one if possible.

What do you think is the ideal or what do you prefer?

I was looking at exercise machines the other day in the local mall (not in HH though) and was looking at about 15k baht for an elliptical style thing or a fair bit more for a running machine that will stand up to some ware with all the frills on it.

The thing that I like about a machine at home is that it's there when you want it, can do before work in the morning or after when you get back with little extra effort or planning, it's just get in an 'get-it-on'. Plus you can have air-con easily enough too as it is said that it's good to work-out in air-con. Also, the machines I was looking at have digital pulse rate/calories expended and 'lord knows what' displays.

Problem with the gym is that it costs a subscription fee (getting higher all the time), you have to make the mental effort to get there either super early in the morning (which most aren't open then of course) or after work when you're knackered and just want a beer or to chill-out, plus in a gym there's all the silly egos around of people that are 'high' on the gym thing wearing small shorts or the like.

Jogging here seems OK if you go at 6 in the morning otherwise it's just insanely hot and I'm not sure if it's such a good idea unless you are already fit, never mind the dangers of jogging around these roads (from drivers of vehicles to menacing dogs and unfriendly pedestrian infrastructure).

There are a couple of others like cycling, golf and swimming and if you do that then post the positives verses the others mentioned.

What do you folks reckon? Or what have those of you that do exercise, or are planning to, prefer as an answer to this one?

For me, I'm beginning to think I'm an exercise machine type of guy at home unless convinced otherwise by replies on this thread.

Added a simple poll.

[Big Boy]

Walk more - it's natural, and free.

[dtaai-maai]

For me, I'm beginning to think I'm an exercise machine type of guy at home unless convinced otherwise by replies on this thread.

Quiet day, SF?

[richard]

I went for swimming and would have also gone for golf without a buggy

Sure a machine in your home is convenient but I prefer a pool. Swimming hit's all muscles and particularly breathing. Golf or just walking are very good too for all round circulation

[Spitfire]

For me, I'm beginning to think I'm an exercise machine type of guy at home unless convinced otherwise by replies on this thread.

Quiet day, SF?

I knew it was you that voted for cynicism on the 'Temptations' Thread.

[bonnielass]

Spitfire,
I chose walking in your poll.

About six years ago, we bought a running machine like you describe for use at home, having the same thought process about convenience, not paying gym subs etc.
We set the room up with TV/DVD to alleviate the boredom. It was great for the first few months, then the novelty wore off.
IMO there is nothing more boring than a treadmill and I just couldn't be bothered.
What works for me is an exercise buddy, someone to walk/jog with.
A mate who can give you a shove when you are feeling a bit lazy!
Also I like to be in the outdoors, although has to be early morning or after the sun has gone down.

I golf every weekend, but it doesn't keep me fit as in this part of the world it's too hot to walk, so we use carts.

The exercise machine might work very well for you, but it just wasn't my thing.

[richard]

What works for me is an exercise buddy, someone to walk/jog with.
A mate who can give you a shove when you are feeling a bit lazy!
Also I like to be in the outdoors, although has to be early morning or after the sun has gone down.

Wrong thread methinks for putting a naughty in

[Hezze]

Takiab Beach in the mornings. Running or use bicycle. The sand is hard. Beautiful view. It's where I imagine beeing when I'm forced to the treadmill during work offshore.
Upper body: pushups, situps, find a tree-branch to do pull-ups and chin-ups.
Hopefully I will never be so unfit as to consider walking 18 holes of golf excercise. I'm certain the beer consumed during the round puts in more calories than I burn.

[STEVE G]

I've always done some form of regular exercise and having tried most forms over the years they all have their pluses and minuses.
Home gym equipment is convenient and comparitively cheap but you need to be very dedicated as it can get pretty boring exercising at home like that and also there's nothing to distract your mind away from the actual exercise.
Swimming is obviously one of the best forms of exercise but it can be time consuming if you have to travel to a swimming pool several times a week and can be expensive depending on where you are. One of the big advantages with swimming is that if you travel around it requires carrying a minimal amount of equipment.
Jogging will get you very fit but it's hard to keep it up as it hurts alot for the first year or so and it's pretty bad for your joints especially when you get older.
Gyms are good in that they're more of a social thing as you get out to meet people but they can be expensive and time consuming if you have to travel.
At the moment I'm into cycling as I can save a lot of time by combining exercise with travel by using it to get to work and elsewhere which has the added benefit of forcing you to keep at it. Cycling can be very cheap as well when you're saving on travel costs but the main downsides are the climatic conditions and safety if you have to use busy roads. Another advantage of cycling is that you can cover large distances compared with running so you can keep up interest by exploring the local area.
If you have the money, there are now modern computer controlled exercise machines where you can actually race against someone on a screen with a stationary cycle or rowing machine but they're expensive.

[bonnielass]

What works for me is an exercise buddy, someone to walk/jog with.
A mate who can give you a shove when you are feeling a bit lazy!
Also I like to be in the outdoors, although has to be early morning or after the sun has gone down.

Wrong thread methinks for putting a naughty in

Richard
I should be so lucky!!!!!

[Takiap]

I've also had a home gym type thing in the past, and to be honest, it was a complete waste of money, at least for me. I've also used such equipment when I was working offshore, but never really kept it up because of the boredom, and that says a lot coming from me.

Swimming is great, but time consuming, and if you always have to travel back and forth to a pool, and then only to use it purely for doing a set amount of lengths, it too soon gets boring.

Anyway, I voted for cycling because once you've bought the bike, it's super cheap, and you can have plenty of variety simply by exploring different areas. BTW.........you can buy little digital gadgets which tell you things like top speed, trip distance, total distance, average speed, and etc. In fact I think some even calculate how many calories you burn, and if you really want pulse/heart rate monitor, you can get one which you wear on your wrist.

Contrary to most people think, you can cycle around here at any time of the day because the breeze actually allows you to feel relatively cool. It's only when you stop that you realize how hot you are....lol. For example, yesterday I left Borfai at around 10:30 am and cycled through to Takiap beach, had a small Chang, and then cycled back again and the heat was no problem at all.

Apart from riding for exercise, a bike is also great for going to the local shop, to the market, and so on, which of course means you get even more exercise. All round, in my opinion, a good investment.

[hhfarang]

I prefer an elliptical trainer at home with air conditioning and a TV. As an added bonus, mine has one of those water bottle holders that fits a large bottle of Chang perfectly!

[richard]

I prefer an elliptical trainer at home with air conditioning and a TV. As an added bonus, mine has one of those water bottle holders that fits a large bottle of Chang perfectly!

[BingoBango]

Takiab Beach as the sun comes up, no better way to start the day anywhere in the world.

Save the money for an mp3 player and round ear clasp ear/head phones so they cant fall out of your ears when you sweat, and buy some decent running shoes.

Run/Jog as far as you can then walk back, headphones out taking in the sounds of the sea and just getting yourself ready for the day.

Build yourself up each time you go, as their are plenty of markers to push yourself further.

I am just going out now but in England and at some point i will be thinking i am running in Hua Hin.

[wpcoe]

Doesn't jogging on the beach eat running shoes in short order? Or do you folks run barefoot on the sand?