From the time of my marriage to now I’ve spent approximately
Exercise bike: $170.00
1st Treadmill: $300.00 (used)
Richard Simmon’s DVD set of 6 $50.00
2nd Exercise Bike-Glider: $250.00
2nd Treadmill: $700.00
TOTAL: $1,470.00 on gym equipment I no longer have.
Where are they now? The first and second exercise bikes ended up in our bedroom for us to throw clothes on until we sold them for a few dollars at a yard sale. The videos were never opened and sold for $3.00. The 1st treadmill I actually used a bit when I was losing weight and it broke. The last treadmill we bought here, but for some reason it hurt my back when I used it, so I sold it to my friend and her husband for $300.00. Yes – they got a deal!
You would think that over the years I would have learned that I don’t do very well with equipment purchases, but I didn’t. In addition to those I listed, I bought numerous books, “as seen on tv” packets of information and joined many classes.
I wasted so much money throughout the years it makes me sick to think about it. I still remember buying those first exercise bikes. I convinced John that I would ride them. They were easy to use, seemed fun in the store and didn’t put stress on my back. I know I rode the first bike once, and the second bike three times. I felt guilty every time I looked at the bike so just kept covering them up with clothes.
The videos were easy to stuff in a closet and I learned to ignore the treadmill taking up half the floor space in our bedroom. I ignored them all. And except for the last treadmill, I got annoyed every time I looked at those pieces of equipment.
So I got rid of them. In a strange way every time I got rid of them it was like I was giving up one more time. Fortunately I kept buying equipment and kept trying, because eventually I did find a piece of exercise equipment I enjoyed.
My feet. Once I finally gave it a chance, I discovered that I really enjoyed walking in the fresh air.
So after all that money and all those years of feeling guilty because of dusty exercise equipment I found I had all I needed all along. My feet. I can use my feet on the elliptical or the treadmill, but my favorite way to exercise is to hit the pavement and walk down my road.
How about you? Any exercise lessons learned with equipment purchases? Diane
exercise purchases ABOUND HERE and mainly the husband.
so I didnt)
he said last weekend to me (in an offhand DO NOT RESPOND manner
IF I COULD HAVE ALL THAT MONEY BACK…
me? I still hope someday the stuff will be used
.-= Miz´s last blog ..Intuitive eating new Two Fit Chicks podcast =-.
I can think of one recumbent exercise bike for about $300, a treadmill or two, several deal-a-meal as seen on tv things, every diet book ever published, one diet center that sold shakes and supplements back in the 80′s. The list is long and expensive.
As you well know, the trick is sustainability. What will I do willingly for the rest of my life? Turns out that I will eat real, whole food and I will walk and ride a bike. That’s pretty much it.
.-= Roxie´s last blog ..Is This What They Mean By Intuitive Eating =-.
I don’t love my pilates ball or exercise bands, I gave the bands to my son. I use the pilates ball once in a while though…lately I usually buy “used” stuff I find on my garage sale or thirft store jaunts…
I would suggest buying used where it is safe to do so that way if it doesn’t work out no need to feel guilty about all the money you “wasted”:)
I’m not loving my new to me exercise bike as much as I thought I would but my husband uses it..
Still love my treadie, my regular bike and I’m still doing my Shred video…Of course I love walking in my park but its too hot these days to do so…can’t wait for fall!
.-= Susan´s last blog ..I dont Wanna- =-.
I am the total opposite – if I invest in it – I DO it.
But I have not (ever) bought that type of equipment for home. And maybe that would be an issue for me too.
I have paid for classes and gym memberships.
And then I take full advantage. Like it KILLS me to miss a day or an event. I can still have planned days OFF and be okay. But if it is a planned day ON – I am there – hell or high water.
.-= vickie´s last blog .. =-.
Here is mine
Used exercise bike from thrift store- 5 bucks. Used till the pedals snapped off
Re bounder trampoline – 40 bucks, used till the mat ripped from use
New exercise bike 100 dollars- used till pedals snapped off ( not sure why this keeps happening)
Assorted exercise videos- used frequently but donated when the VCR died and we bought a DVD player
Pedal only bike thing -25 bucks and still in use
Assorted Wii fitness type games – 300 and still used.
Stability Balls – 30 dollars , had to be donated after serious complaints from downstairs neighbors
Good walking shoes- 120 dollars
.-= Diane´s last blog ..Wednesday =-.
I’m too cheap to buy a lot of exercise equipment, but my father… he’s the guy who keeps As Seen on TV in business. I think he has every silly ab machine every created!
I don’t have much money to spend on expensive exercise equipment but my yoga ball does sit idly in the living room taking up space. My free weights are in the bathroom collecting dust. The only use they see is when my friend’s dog comes over and carries them around. He thinks they are toys to chew on (he is an 80lb lab so an 8lb dumbbell is nothing to him). I do think about purchasing a stationary bike but space is an issue in our apartment. I’d like to think I would cycle while watching tv.
.-= Rachel Palmieri´s last blog ..Weight not loss week 24 Dave =-.
Rachel – that was part of the problem for me that made it so bad. I didn’t have the money to spend on those items either. And we sacrificed so I could get in shape and then I didn’t use it. Then I felt guilty!
I bought a lot of equipment and I am happy I did now. My bike was not used much too. But I now have a home gym that I use almost everyday. Hubby asked me if I dont want to join the gym and I smiled and said…NO I like exercising at home. I’m sure he was shocked.
I have always had gym membership I never used.
.-= Mbini´s last blog ..Something Buggy =-.
We are about to have our 5th elliptical crosstrainer replaced, not because we don’t use it but because we do. They just don’t seem to be made to last anymore, and despite our upgrading to more expensive versions, they keep breaking down on us.
We’ve also used our Wii Fit so often that it has developed a crack in the board. I use my handweights regularly.
We are thinking of replacing the crosstrainer with a rowing machine this time, because the rowing machine folds up AND because my body is getting too used to the crosstrainer.
.-= moonduster (Becky)´s last blog ..Signs Of Life =-.
I never had extra $$ to buy larger pieces of equipment like treadmills & such.. especially since I knew I wanted the more expensive ones that would last & keep up with me! So, luckily not too many lost dollars here for me! Plus, I am a gym person so I only have some smaller stuff at home that I do use…
.-= Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..Butt-Legs Tightening Help Shoulder Beauty Core =-.
We have done better with the big purchases. If you don’t count the Nordic Trac. (Which did get used for some time before we began to ignore it, but that was many years ago so maybe it doesn’t count.) Our first treadmill lasted 10 years and got a lot of use. It was the real start of my life as an exerciser. Our second treadmill is going strong, getting used, but pretty new still. Seven years ago I splurged on an elliptical since I had feet problems and could not do impact stuff like walking. It has also gotten lots of use. But any DVDs we bought over the years are gather dust. Oh – I almost forgot my bike:) Maybe close to 20 years old and still doing it for me.
.-= Karen@WaistingTime´s last blog ..Life is Good =-.
Oh, I’ve got plenty of DVDs that I used a couple times and then never again. Plus, a spin bike and a range of dumbbells from 5-40 pounds sit in my den. The spin bike isn’t getting used much right now because I’d rather be riding my real bike outside. The dumbbells don’t get used because I lift with my trainer at the gym. I’m still glad I have them though, as it means I have no excuses if the weather is too bad to go outside or if I can’t make it to the gym.
.-= Desert Agave´s last blog ..Weigh In and a Failed Attempt =-.
I bought a treadmill in January, even though I had a membership to the Y- I thought with having the treadmill that I wouldn’t have an excuse of it being “too cold,” or the weather was too bad to drive to the YMCA. Of course, at first I did use it, but then even having the treadmill didn’t help me using it. I’m now staying with my brother and his family, so the treadmill is in storage. I’m hoping to make sure I use it once I move in to a place!
.-= Lori Lynn´s last blog .. =-.
I’ve never had the money for equipment, or the space, so I’ve never spent lots…
I also netflixed workout videos to “test run” them for a while before I bought them. That being said, I have two “so you think you can dance” vids that I’ve never even opened. The other three workout vids I have, I did 2-3 times a week for a few months before retiring them.
I have a stability ball and some hand weights, which I use… eh, maybe twice a month, usually when I feel like getting the ball down (it lives on a top shelf in my closet, which is a pain to get to, but otherwise I’m tripping over it all the time.)
But I also have a wii-fit, which is (aside from my monthly Weight Watcher’s fee) the most money I’ve ever spent for the purposes of fitness.
I have 2 disks for workouts (Wii Fit Plus, and Walk It Out) both of which I use religiously.
And yesterday I joined the gym for a trial month. I’ll let ya know how it goes!
.-= Lynn C´s last blog ..Cure the Creep =-.
I got a indoor bike when I moved to Germany. Although I don’t use it often I do use it during winter times when too cold to go to the gym….
I got an outdoor bike that was a waste of money as I never cycle outdoors, I prefer running…
I spent lots on diet products…waste of money indeed.
I had a pretty extensive (and expensive) home gym for years. I moved to a new house a few years ago and due to space limitations, had to sell everything. I haven’t missed it. I ended up buying a bicycle and that’s been the best fitness investment I’ve ever made.
.-= Jodi´s last blog ..5 Weight Loss Myths Busted =-.
The one outlay that just kills me (even though it has to be more than 25 years ago…). I signed up for a gym membership – I think it might have been from my very first full-time paycheck. Once I signed the papers joining for 3? 6? months, I walked out the door and never once went back. I think I even knew when I was completing the paperwork that I wasn’t going to go. I was probably intimidated by the sales staff.
Over the years, I’ve joined and dropped out of more gym memberships but finally found one that I’ve been with for more than 4 years.
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Confirmation =-.
Clothes rack–the HealthRider machine–It’s still in the attic, await a garage sale.
Used Sometimes–WATP, & Richard Simmons videos & DVDs. Still an option when I can’t get out of the house.
YES! My bicycle, gym membership (I just surpassed 6,000,000 pounds lifted on Fitlinxx resistance machines–3 years after starting)
ALWAYS! My feet. You’re right, those are the best. With another birthday coming next week, they’ve given me 59 years of good service.
I owe about 200 workout dvds. I just keep buying them (sometimes used on ebay). I have an elliptical machine that hurts my back (I think it has to do with the stride length), dumbbells (use often), body bar (use occassionally), ball (use occassionally), and aerobic step (use occassionally). My only regret is the elliptical machine.
I don’t workout at the gym, so I like having a little variety with my home exercises. I don’t feel guilty about my purchases because I use them regularly.
I’m not big on “equipment”… I know that if I do stuff on my own, I’m not AS likely to stay consistent. That’s what I love about the gym; with other people around, it makes me accountable!
.-= Sagan´s last blog ..Peanut Butter Banana Pudding Cake Recipe =-.
I also have a bad history… but of lesions!
I first bought a treadmill. It’s at home, unused, because after a food tendinitis the doctor told me that I can only run on soft surfaces.
Then I bought a step machine. After a second tendinitis, doctor said that I can’t use the step machine due to a malformation of the bones of my foot.
Then I used an old bike that someone gave to me. Then the doctor told me that I have a bad alignement on my knee, so I can’t ride a bike (…)
I have been swimming for a month. I’m used to swim about 1500-2000 yards every day I go swimming and I feel very fine. But I also felt fine while running, making steps or biking. So… I don’t know if I have learned the lesson, but I hope that this time I won’t end in the same way. I don’t have any alternative!!!
This is so recognizable. I’ve bought a stationary bike and an elleptical once but after it only ate dust I sold them through the internet. And don’t let me start on all the DVD’s I’ve bought over the years
The only DVD that has given me pleasure was the 30 Day Shred which I still have and will use in the future on days I don’t have much time.
Like you I prefer to be outside and run.
Nowadays I think twice before I even think of buying anything.
I’ve got some DVDs that I never use… and a ball + pump that is seldom used, and a mat + dumbbells that are used often! So 50%?
.-= fittingbackin´s last blog ..My First Birthday Present- Twilight- C25K- Pre-Cooking for a Long Weekend- =-.
You couldn’t stomach Richard Simmons, hunh?
I wish that I had made a wise decision with dumbbells. Instead of buying the single ones, I would have bought the ones that you can add on to.
I do use my DVDs, resistance band etc.
Gym memberships are my issue.
.-= ‘Drea´s last blog ..Month-End Review- June =-.
I haven’t bought any big pieces of equipment as of yet. But I do buy little things and DVD’s. I realized I really don’t like DVD’s unless they are yoga so I don’t buy them even though I look at them all the time.
But my equipment actually gets used. I just need to have someone teach me how to use it. Then I feel confident an buy it. But I need to learn first.
.-= Cynthia (It All Changes)´s last blog ..Stomach in My Knee =-.
LOL! I’ve heard and seen this story before!! There are a lot of great exercise equipment bargains to be found at garage sales
Please forgive my saying this, but I’m where exercise equipment goes like that mythical elephant grave yard
.-= Dr. J´s last blog ..The Sleeplessness and Overweight Connection- It’s Enough to Keep You Awake Nights =-.
We bought the NordicTrack…great workout, but it really took some concentration! And it was exhausting.
I’ve used my treadmill to death, but it took me a couple of years to get to that point. Before that, it was a bookshelf in the spare room.
I’m watching yard sales for a good used exercise bike. I saw one, but it was too pricey. I hope to have one before winter sets in again.
.-= Cammy@TippyToeDiet´s last blog ..Satisfaction- See- Can’t Get No =-.
I love to dance around the house, so I thought it would be a brilliant idea to get the Core Rhythms DVD. Well, let’s just say it’s a good thing I closed the blinds. I kept gamely trying that DVD and finally realized it just wasn’t going to work.
.-= Lori (Finding Radiance)´s last blog ..Lifting Move of the Week and June recap =-.
Your story of the machines is similar to mine. 2 exercise bikes and 2 treadmills and a weight bench have come through this house and my husband has put his foot down for any possible future machines. This is, of course, in addition to 3 gym memberships and stacks and stacks of unopened workout videos! The funniest part of all of this is my favorite form of exercise is running. Free and convenient. Who knew??
.-= Jenn´s last blog ..Before- During and Now =-.
Oh yes! I bought several items from infomercials and they just didn’t get used. After joining a gym many moons ago I figured out what I liked to use and how to do weights. Now we have a bowflex and elliptical and I am using them and have in the past. I like that I can read while using my elliptical. Granted they do go through spans of time when they are unused, but now we have an exercise room. In the cold north walking outside just isn’t feasable for part of the year.
.-= Stacy´s last blog ..Baby stuff =-.
I have a treadmill and an exercise bike. This bike is #2 b/c I sold the first one…a sale I deeply regret making. My husband gave me that bike for my 25th birthday to lose the weight I’d gained after I gave birth to my first daughter earlier that year. I lost all my extra weight on that bike and loved it. I used it again after baby #2 and lost again, only a treadmill caught my eye in the store, and hubby obliged, so I added to my choices. We lived in FL at the time, and I don’t do heat and humidity with exercise well, so it was a perfect match. Although treadmill took a 3 year sabbatical, but I am back to running on it now. I am so grateful to have it. Rain or shine, I have no excuse, and I can exercise with my kids around the house. The new bike? Well, it turns out that the reason I sold the first bike (so big) is the reason it felt so stable on my carpet. This new bike is wimpy and doesn’t feel as sturdy, so I almost never use it
If I could get that first bike back, I’d buy it in a heartbeat.
The biggest waste of my money so far has been on the Wii Fit stuff. I almost never use it anymore, and I don’t know if I ever will. But even that has its place in our home b/c my girls LOVE and have logged many happy hours getting lots of activity in.
.-= Kate´s last blog ..What Im Running Away From =-.
After using a mini-trampoline as a repository for rumpled clothes during college, instead of its fitness intent, I later figured out that being around others helped me stay more active. My gym membership is worth every penny and having lots of classes, weights and equipment to choose from is worth the cost of having any equipment at home. The only thing here is my yoga mat for when I miss a pilates class now and then.
.-= Shira´s last blog ..Have your colors and eat them too- =-.
Why yes, Dorothy, you had the power all along in those ruby slippers.
.-= MB´s last blog ..Challenges =-.
AHHHH! Don’t remind me! I have a ton of purchases…and it is a shame to think of the little use they get. I’m surrounded by ways and equipment with which I can exercise. An elliptical, The Firm DVDs (2), 30 Day Shred, Dumbells, Firm Platform, Stability Ball, Dumbbell sets, Resistance bands, Body Bar, a workout room at my apt. complex AND a gym membership. *sigh* It is literally exhausting to think about the money being spent BUT…if it gets me to where I need to be, then I say it is worth it. However…this is it. I refuse to purchase anything else until my fitness & commitment levels increase! LOL.
.-= PhluffyPrincess´s last blog ..It Feels GOOD- Toot toot Tuesdays- =-.
OH…. I don’t think I want to add up the money I’ve spend on weight loss equipment that I no longer use. Although, we’ve only ever purchased two small pieces of equipment. My wasting of money was more on programs (WW’s mainly) products, books and OTC pills I’m sad to say.
Very good post…especially when we think it’s too expensive to eat healthier foods,but we spend years of our life spending money on stuff to help us lose weight.
I do still use my Walk At Home DVDs and the others I’ve bought. Those and my two free gym memberships service me well and I enjoy them.
.-= Leah´s last blog ..Let Freedom Ring- – Day 4 =-.
My track record is really good, actually. I have bought exercise DVDs, a few books, and my exercise bike. A few of the books got some use, some got more. Most of the DVDs I still use in rotation, one or two didn’t fit me well (30 day shred, for example). And my exercise bike got lots of use as well, and will again when I am not kneeing my belly
So hopefully my husband won’t complain too much, I try to make sure the purchases I make for my health are frugal and reasonable for us – worth the hard earned money he puts into them.
Thats the best I can do, I think!
.-= Taryl´s last blog ..Exercise uodate =-.
I haven’t spent too much on exercise equipment, but I have spent too much. That sounds contradictory, but what I am meaning to say is that any $ spent that weren’t used is too much, although it wasn’t a great sum of money.
oh geez…I have probably spent enough money on exercise equipment, videos, books, unused gym memberships over the years that if I saved it, I could use that to be sending my daughter for her first semester of college!
I have held onto 2..yes TWO unused gym memberships that I haven’t used because I am training at a personal training studio. My nutritionist says I’m “donating” to the gym. I finally just cancelled those. One was a family membership with pools and stuff.
I’ve owned two elipticals. I do have to say, the one I have now does get use.
I’ve had all the “fad” things that you get from the infomercials.
All the videos/dvds you could shake a fist at.
And what do I find is the best form of cardio for me?
Yup, walking. We have a beautiful rail trail nearby and hitting the pavement is the best exercise..good for body, soul, and mind.
Sigh….
.-= Julie Lost and Found´s last blog ..The Self Fulfilling Prophecy =-.
Before I “lost” the weight, I had a dreadmill and hated it. While I lost weight I found my feet, fresh air, and quality quiet time. Now, in the summer I walk. (Bad knees.) Winters in Alaska are to dark, cold, and “moose-y” so I eliptisize! Love it!
I learned not to buy them unless they’re relatively cheap as they became clothes hangers rather quickly!
Years ago my mother bought a “Health Walker” (as seen on TV). A few years later I bought a set of Tae-bo videos. These two items are now regularly exchanged between my mother, my sister and I. As in “You know, I think I might try the Tae-bo again, so how about I give you back the Health Walker and you give me the Tae-bo. Then we go and unearth the thing from wherever we’d buried it and the exchange is made. I’d then realize that I don’t have enough space in my TV room to do the Tae-bo, so the box set would go into storage. At my sister’s house the Health Walker would join the crib as a storage place for clean laundry, etc.
My mom has a mini-trampoline that she actually uses. I would love to borrow it, but I’m too heavy for it, so I’ve got my eye on my sister’s kids’ big trampoline. The phrase, candy from a baby comes to mind though… I guess I’ll just have to buy my own. My backyard is certainly big enough.
.-= Hanlie´s last blog ..Let’s Do the Shuffle =-.
I’ve had my Nordic Trak for close to 20 years and still use it regularly (when I am in Canada). Same with the Nordic gold (weight machine). We used to have an exercise bike that Mac used (I biked outside so didn’t use the inside one). He finally gave it away because he wasn’t using it. I still use my free weights that I got before my first kid was born (in 1973). The only thing I haven’t used regularly are the Pilates arm hula-hoops that one of my dil’s gave me, but I’ve been trying to incorporate them.
.-= Siobhan´s last blog ..You know who doesn’t get injuries =-.