Better is a relative term. Decide on your goals, what is your objective? Once you figure that out you will better know what it is you need to achieve that.
For cardio vascular aerobic exercise I have a Nordic Track cross country ski machine. It does take a little skill to get the hand of it and not everyone likes that aspect of it but it doesn't take long to get up a good sweat and keep it. On the other hand I don't much like those elliptical trainers, they are like walking on the moon bobbing up and down like that but many people really like them. The trouble with free weights is the room they need, fortunately for me I suppose I am short enough that I can snatch without driving them through the ceiling but not everyone can. None of the mechanical weight circuits accurately reflect the weight being used. You can pin any number to the stack but most use pulleys not only to change direction but often they loop in such a way to give mechanical advantage, that is, pull three feet on the cable and the weight rises a foot and a half, that sort of thing. There is also the inertia of the machine to take into account and friction of moving parts too. Many also use cams to try to equalize the force or direction so that the resistance is closer to the actual direction of the work but these too alter the actual amount of weight being moved. In that sense free weights are the only really accurate and reliable measure of resistance. Even though you can technically calculate and allow for mechanical disadvantage or advantage as the case may be I can assure you having hung actual weight from a number of weight training machines that there isn't any reliable relationship between the weight load on the stack and the actual balancing load on the handle. this isn't necessarily true for all units but I haven't yet met one with an accurate relationship. The point of those machines is to save room. If the bands on a Bowflex or what ever else are calibrated in pounds or dirometers is not relevant. They should probably be calibrated just as the stereo,. Just a number so you can return to the same one dependably when you want. It seems to me that most of us as blind people want the aerobic exercise, the cardiopulmonary work-out. Some may ride a tandem bike but mostly we lack that opportunity, even a brisk walk isn't really all that satisfying because of the energy used in wayfinding and avoiding overhanging trees or parked cars. Running a dog I suppose for some might be an option and maybe some do that I haven't ever seen it but it is possible.There are treadmills and ski machines and elliptical trainers and exercise cycles. Swimming if convenient and you have access to a long enough pool for some good lengths can be a pretty good option. I used to enjoy cross country skiing but it does require a partner and that isn't always convenient for me, either I am busy or they are busy and eventually it falls apart. Used to ride a tandem bike too but the same problem. I haven't been working out in my exercise room much for a long time, by the time I finish work and now am in the middle of a couple of shop projects then there is snow to shovel and in the summer gardening and grass to cut and on it goes. Hooking up with someone for a bike ride or a ski, it just doesn't happen. Anyway, the point I wanted to make is that one shouldn't get too fixated on the weights displayed either on the pulley circuits or the band type machines or even those hydraulic pistons. Do consider the structure of the equipment, noise, things like size and durability. If it isn't convenient you won't use it and if it isn't comfortable you won't use it. If it folds up and fits under your bed that is probably where it will stay. These are just my observations over what is now approaching 40 years of personal experience and observation of literally thousands of others. Dale Leavens, Cochrane Ontario Canada [EMAIL PROTECTED] Skype DaleLeavens Come and meet Aurora, Nakita and Nanook at our polar bear habitat. ----- Original Message ----- From: Larry Stansifer To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, December 23, 2007 1:48 PM Subject: RE: [BlindHandyMan] Home Gyms I use free weights a lot in the gym and was actually considering buying a bench based system that includes a squott station, leg curl and quad curl station but when I tried it out in the store it felt really flimsy and like it wanted to come apart and that was just using the 110 LB included weight set. Most of that stuff looks like toys to me. A couple of guys on Carol's department have bowflexes but like the soloflex they make you look better than you really are. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Bob Kennedy Sent: Sunday, December 23, 2007 11:22 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] Home Gyms I have free weights so I'm probably no help. I don't know if they still make it or not, but I can say beware of the soloflex gym. That was the one with "resistance bands." A friend bought one and I could bench the highest resistance band which said it was 500 pounds. Great for the ego but not realistic. At that time I could do half that weight on a good day. Maybe someone else will have a better recommendation. ----- Original Message ----- From: Larry Stansifer To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, December 23, 2007 1:05 PM Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Home Gyms This morning while slaving away on the squat-rack in my local gym, one of the girls on the front desk told me that they were moving to a larger facility on the other side of town. Much to far to walk besides which interstate15 is in the way. Do any of you folks have any suggestions for a home gym alternative? I need something that can provide a total body workout and with at least 300 LB's of resistance. 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