“So…which equipment is best for getting in shape?” I get asked that question quite a bit. I thought I’d talk about it for a bit.
I think the question basically misses a huge point. And the point is this:
What you choose to exercise with is irrelevant.
Really…
It is…
- $14,000 or In-freaking-sane
The fact of the matter is you could get yourself a $1,000 Bowflex, or even a $14,000 ROM machine, and you can most certainly get a great workout (check that – 14G plus for a piece of home gym – that’s just nuts – no workout is that good, sorry). Likewise, you could join a great gym or build yourself a complex home gym with olympic weights, smith machine, etc.; and you can most certainly get a great workout. Or you could pick up a nice bench, barbells, and dumbbells for pennies on the dollar on Craigslist; and again, you can most certainly get a great workout.
Or not…
Because, the point most people miss is that the tools and equipment are secondary to you.
That’s right – you.
You are what matters in your pursuit of a great looking body. What you do and how you do it are not important (well it is, but it’s secondary).
And that’s the other point that people miss. The workouts do not matter – or what workout routine you use does not matter. You could do the P90X and build a great body. Or you could use any routines that I recommend in my workout pages. Or you could use a routine from a muscle mag (but why).
And it can all work for you…
Or not…
Because what matters is your commitment to your goal.
- Will you commit to exercising consistently 3 to 4 times a week?
- Will you commit to consistently eating a healthy diet.
- Will you commit to consistently getting enough rest for your body to recover?
These are the key issues.
Heck – check out these workouts that require nothing but you, and maybe some fresh air…
How To Get In Shape Inexpensively
For Your Toughest Muscle Building Workout – No Weights Needed
That all said, I have become a complete fan of Blake Kessel’s Bodylastics. Why? For a lot reasons. Most of which I wrote about a year and half ago here - and it’s still mostly true. Nowadays, I take the bands to the local park and exercise outside. I like weaving in the pullups, dips, etc. with the bands.
I feel pretty good for a 50 year, chasing after my soon to be 4 year old and 7 year old (I started late) and I think my Bodylastic bands have help, in so far as it’s convenient and effective for me. And that’s – again – key. Because you have to use a system that’s effective for you.
If you know that pounding along with a DVD for 60 or 90 minutes a day is not really going to work for you, then don’t do it. Find a system and a routine that works for you (what works for me is Rusty’s Visual Impact Program – you can check out my thoughts here). Because to achieve any good goal:
You must plan your work – and work your plan.
To digress again, a system that is completely wrong for me would be the “Shake Weight” Dumbbell. The thing costs $22.99 at Kmart and it has to be a gag. I tried it for 10 minutes earlier tonight (there was an open one) and for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out what it did. I shook and I moved my arms around and it was pathetic. Yet, lots of people buy and evidently use it. It must be right for them – yeah, right.
I get people pouring over a $300 treadmill and the $250 Elliptical and the $299 Dual Cardio Trainer and the…at my day job. I just shake my head. A treadmill? How about walking outside? My Bodylastics cost me 60 bucks a year and half ago. Man, I’ve more than gotten back my initial investment. And I’ll be using it for many, many months more.
That’s another point – if you are going to use an equipment, then make sure it’s something you will use for a long time. Don’t let it become an expensive clothes hanger or knick knack.
So to recap
- It’s your mindset and commitment that matters most.
- The equipment you use (or the gym you join) has to work for you.
And that’s my answer to the question of which equipment is best for getting in shape
