What is everybody's favourite way to exercise?

[bunblebeaz]

I've found it very strange that, out of all the things I've tried and the machines available at the gym, my favourite thing is running intervals on the treadmill.

What does everybody else prefer?

[Bkkbull]

Hi

Road Cycling, High intensity interval training on spin bike, weight training, High intensity interval training on spin bike, followed by a swim normally

[bunblebeaz in reply to Bkkbull]

oooh you know, just thinking about spinning makes me nauseous :/

Props to anyone that does spinning!

[newpie]

Hi bunblebeaz, if I can get on the right treadmill then the interval podcast on C25K + is good. favourite in the gym is the rowing machine followed by the cross trainer.Also Swimming.

[maggie123 in reply to newpie]

I bought a treadmill and it's the best thing since sliced bread lol

I love it, it has 5 programs already set into it, just click the one you want and go, ranging from very low impact to very high, I started on the lowest and I'm working my way up. Good luck to you, hope you get your treadmill, I'm sure you will enjoy it.

[Bkkbull]

Hi

its great to be honest, qualified at the end of last year as an instructor, and love teaching it, i also use it to train now for my road cycling. Now spin 4 days a week, the calorie burn is excellent - try it you might like it

[innerslim]

Hi,

I'm with you, def feel best after using the treadmill. I had a baby last aug so have built up using C25K. I now try to get some variation by doing a longer run on a mon then a speed interval run & another using inclines. Apparently the inclines are good for you bum & thighs. I'm yet to see the benefits due to excess cals!

[jenne]

hI

Best way to exercise is to do interval training start run for 30 sec as fast as you can then walk for min rest when you get fitter cut rest time and increase the run

[Zest Healthy BMI]

Hi innerslim,

What kind of inclines do you set the machine to? I have been running on an incline of 1.0, usually at 8.5 (speed?) but have been trying to run at 9.0 and also occasionally at 10.0 (speed) but find it really hard to do more than 2 minutes at 10.0! I have been trying to aim to do 5 km on the treadmill.

Enjoying using the treadmill. Very good.

[bunblebeaz in reply to Zest]

Hi lowcal,

Is your speed kph or mph? 10mph would be a six minute mile which is very fast!

The treadmill at the gym has a preset workout for intervals. At the easiest level it uses 0%, 0.9%, 1.6%, 2.1% levels.

Obviously you then choose your own speed. And can increase the difficulty by either upp ing the 'level' or starting at intermediate or advanced levels.

[Zest Healthy BMI]

Hi Bunblebeaz,

My speed is kph I think. Today it took me about 40 minutes to run 5km, and I was mainly running at 8.5 kph for that time. I would like to know how long it takes me to run a mile, but I can't easily convert from kph to mph - my Maths never was very good!

I like running on an incline of 1.0 and think I'll try to go faster as I build up my fitness. I am relatively new to running, but I do enjoy it.

I noticed that you spoke of 'running intervals' on the treadmill - does that mean varying your speed regularly in intervals? What speed do you usually run at? Or does it vary alot?

[bunblebeaz in reply to Zest]

No, I tried varying the speed but as the intervals are so short it takes too much time for the machine to get to the right speed. I use the pre-set programme I described above on the machine and it changes the incline automatically. I'm on the beginner level on the easiest level. I run intervals at 4.8mph while I get used to it and normal running at 5.0 mph and aiming to increase to 5.5 just as soon as my injury gets better.

Are you able to change the units on your machine? The ones I use do both km and miles, so people can choose what they want.

[Zest Healthy BMI]

Not sure if I can change the units, but I'll have a look next time I'm in the gym. Good luck with your goals. Hope your injury gets better soon.

[bunblebeaz in reply to Zest]

ty, although I think its going to take a while

[Aussieblues]

i find i love going zumba and bodybalance (which is yoga based) sometimes i do spin classes, when its warmer swimming and now and then a mix in the gym of bike/treadmill/crosstrainer but i just try to add more walking etc into every day life and avoid the lifts

[Marguerite2013]

I'm trying to think of an equivalent to boxing as it sounds like you can pound away quite a lot of cals that way.....As I have arthritis (hands, knees etc.) perhaps I can give the cushions a good dusting outside, when the weather is better, by whipping them with my walking stick? \ On the whole I try and do some simple salsa exercises with 60s music for 20min a day and that seems to help getting the happy enzymes going in the brain - and of course the circulation.

Margarita~

[geemel79]

swimming for me is the best kind of exercise I can mention on here lol and my kids enjoy going to the pool try as often s i can to take them to a pool thats a bit further away from where we live as our local one has flumes lazy river etc and the kids just muck about whereas when i take them to a different one down the coastfrom me its just a lane pool or during the summer the outdoor pool is five minutes from me again a lane only pool, only they hate the taste and stingy eyes they get from the salt water