Are Exercise Machines Really Necessary?

Many people get buy ridiculous exercise equipment because they are supposed to make your exercises so 'easy' and 'simple'. Now, they do make things easier- but guess what- they give you results directly proportional to the difficulty of using them, so you really are doing yourself no good. Plus, the ones that are supposed to help build muscle etc actually do your body harm, making your muscles develop improperly, causing joint problems, and what not. I myself don't even touch free-weights anymore- good ol' bodyweight exercises are the best thing I find- especially advanced bodyweight exercises(much of what you see in gymnastics and martial arts)

we got an exercise bike through free cycle and is perfect for my hubby to go on at night. he doesnt really have time to walk or run up and down the stairs all the time.

There are times when an exercise machine can be helpful, like when it's raining or during cold, snowy weather when it's not pleasant to be out walking. Also, some people live in areas that are not safe to walk in. That said, I think that if most of us would just do more things like walking, playing with the kids or dog or working in the yard or a garden, we wouldn't need to worry about getting enough exercise.

I wish I had one at home now. I have a bicycle but the spring and the summer are very short where I live so I don't get to go for a ride on my bicycle enough, biking is one of my favourite exercises, I wish I could ride my bike every single day. I would like to have an exercise bike at home for make up in the winter so I could still exercise; I hate the cold so I don't go out to exercise at all.

We really don't need all this equipment. Most people who do get them is because they don't want to go outside of their home to exercise. But it's good for you to get some fresh air and get out too. Walking at parks and bikes and hiking and camping are all much funner ways to get fit. We also have a Kinect which is an interactive video game thing that is fun to exercise. No heavy bulky space taking equipment. I think these are the ways of the old days. Why buy equipment either when you can go exercise with friends at a gym? Maybe even have someone help you out. To me they are almost a thing of the past. Sorry to the poor companies that sell them, lol.

There are many physical exercises you can do without exercise machines. You can use your own body weight building muscles. Standing on your two feet bent and on your two hands with your belly upwards, you have good weight on your arms, back and legs. You lift one leg upward bouncing it up and down balancing alternating your legs. you get good muscle training. You can do 'the plank' lie down on the floor on your tummy support your upper body on both your under arms. Support your lower part of body on both your toes. Keep your whole body in an horisontal manner during 30 seconds. Have a rest. Do it again, if you have the strength. It is a very useful muscles training exercise. Walk/jog alternating it, walk 50 steps/ jog 100 steps, keep going for 10 minutes indoor or outdoor. You regain more strength. You can walk the stairs whenever you can. I compete with people without their knowing when I'm walking outside. I speed up and walk fast passing them, I keep walking on until I catch up with new unknown people when I'm downtown. It's good exercises.

No I don't think so. It's much more healthier to go out and walk as when walking you can enjoy nature and the scenery around as well, and it helps clear your mind more so you are actually working both brain and body when you go out to walk around. I've thought of doing that, playing some nice relaxing music while walking so that it would help even more.