Wow. So many gadgets so little time/money/energy :))
We got the air bike and I have only used it once! But others in the family have used it a lot more so we will recoup the money eventually.
Our home gym is stocked with a Precor treadmill (basic commercial grade), a ZeroRunner, and Mr.’ recumbent bike. All three have been used extensively, except I never used the stupid bike. 
When kiddo comes to catsit, she uses our gym, too.
I’m back from visiting the kids. Got in 3 good challenging day hikes on the trip. Saw snakes, but not the poisonous kind.
I have a very large pile of paperwork on my desk, waiting for my complete attention, but it was sooo good to get away.
Since there’s a discussion of what’s in our home gyms, my home gym is stocked with Landice treadmill, Schwinn AC Performance Spin Bike, Concept 2 Rower, Life Fitness Elliptical, Wahoo Kickr Indoor Trainer, Rogue lifting cage, Rogue stainless steel bar, bumper plates, dumbbells, kettlebells, sandbags, TRX, TRX Duo, Cable Machine with adjustable cross over and fixed cables, and various accessories. My outdoor backyard gym consists of Monkey Bars, Pull up bars, Cargo Net/ladder combo, climbing rope, gymnastics rings, battle rope, push/pull sled, tractor tire and sledge hammer. Always something new to try, except if I try to buy any new toys, my wife will kill me. Literally.
Seems like Concept 2 should have a Rower/Ski erg combo since the use the same flywheel thing.
@MichaelNKat , you don’t live in a home, you live in a gym! You WIN! (and I know you actually use them all too - even a bigger win).
In terms of any gym equipment, it’s all relative to what you like and what you’re willing to actually use - at the gym or at home. I like the rower - but 10-12 minutes is my limit. I will often do something like a mile run, 10 minute row, mile run, 10 minute row. Good workout. And 10-12 minutes of either goes by pretty quick.
I have alot of what @MichaelNKat has in my indoor/outdoor gym. I also have a 8’ wall to practice climbing over for obstacle races, GHD (glute ham developer) and medicine balls. I also have “several” Rogue barbells (different knurling, sizes, colors, etc.), since I’m kinda a barbell “collector.”
The new gym that I joined back in May is very close by and has everything that I need, so unless they close up shop, I just go there.
@HMom16 Yes, they do use the same flywheel thing, and you would think they could combine the two, but they’d probably cut their sales down if they produce a combo unit.
Welcome back, Midwest - glad you got those hikes in!
My home gym - 2 yoga mats, a block, a strap, a Pilates ring and ball, resistance bands. Anything more I prefer the gym. I find I work harder in a social environment. I’d really like a Reformer.
After talking with my coach I signed up for the PN certification course. I’m very interested in nutrition and the psychology behind weight loss and gain. I doubt I’ll ever be anyone’s actual coach, but I want to learn more than what you get as a client. I think it will be interesting.
Long day and I’m tired. Glad yoga was it for today.
You have so much energy! Certification!
Thanks for the welcome back.
I think I’ve established I’m afraid of snakes. At the trailhead in Kentucky, I was looking at the map and chatting with a man, who, as it turns out, is a flight nurse. He tells me that usually they only have 1-2 snake bites a year! But this year? It’s been a bad season! They’ve had 10-12 already.
O.O
Our little old dog was a trooper. He managed two very long hikes, only having to be carried on the second one for the last mile or two. He did pick up fleas in Virginia. Boo!
@sabaray , I think you will enjoy it very much. Half the course is about the science of nutrition. The other half is about the psychology and behavioral aspects of nutrition. The former is presented in a clear and concise fashion. The latter gives you the coaching tools that enable you to implement change. In my experience, good nutrition and weight management is 25% technical nutrition science, 75% is the behavioral stuff. Enjoy it! P.S., the certification manual weighs a ton, lol!
MIchaelNKat - unfortunately I’ve read some harsh reviews on the Landice treadmill. TRX is a little too trendy for me.
When I was researching treadmills, 3 other running friends (including my picky son) were researching and testing as well and all three came up with the Landice 7 as the best. I’ve been really happy with it and so have the others. I got the middle display- has enough bells and whistles (and shows heart rate) but doesn’t have it’s own TV screen (which I don’t need). We also have a Wahoo Kickr and TRX straps. Yoga mats (except right now they are all up on the main level of our house on the hardwood because the old dogs need help with the hardwood floors) and some kettle balls and light dumbbells.
@ohiopublic , my Landice is an older model. Not many of my clients use it so I’ve not been inclined to replace it. As you know, most of my cardio training involves cycling. For indoor stuff, if I’m not on my Wahoo, I really like the elliptical and rower because they involve both upper and lower chain muscle groups and for a short 45 minute cardio interval workout, I think they are very efficient. TRX has become trendy to some extent but if you work with a coach who really understands the mechanics of it, how to program workouts and body weight training, it is an incredible workout. The problem is, like with so many fitness systems, some people take the basic 8 hour introductory course and then hold themselves out as being TRX “coaches” which I think is B.S. I have over 80 hours of TRX instructor training and I’m still learning new things. My studio in Philadelphia is the only one in the city that has actual certified TRX instructors (as opposed to “qualified”). And I can tell you, you can build real muscle and strength with body weight training and TRX while also getting all the benefits of functional movement training. And it packs to the size of a football, so it’s a great tool to travel with and can be used practically anywhere. Yeah, after 50 years of weight lifting, I’ve really drunk the TRX Kool-Aide, lol.
@MichaelNKat
Lol. We have a few of the items on your extensive list and I am solidly on your DW’s side though my DH would probably get inspirations, so I am keeping this post away from him.
I am not a TRX pro but I truly enjoy the training from some good trainers. One of them told us that TRX was “invented” by navy seals for its versatility and transportability!
@makemesmart , yes, the founder of TRX was a Navy Seal and wanted a way for his team to maintain strength conditioning when deployed. He took parachute rigging and came up with the first “TRX” rig. TRX as a company has one of the best, most comprehensive instructor training tracks that I’ve seen in the fitness industry and they never rest on their laurels. The TRX instructor training programs today have undergone substantial revision and refinement compared to even 5 years ago. The advanced courses really focus on how to program and coach and require a ton of hands on practicum work to pass the course.
I’m undergoing some strength training with my personal trainer who has his NASM/ACE certifications. I mentioned that I might want to try CrossFit and he indicated that I should steer clear because apparently certification is fairly easy and doesn’t delve into proper coaching and technique? Probably should steer clear of this because I don’t want to get hurt.
I’ve be CrossFitting for 4-5 years. I’ve never hurt myself, knock on wood, but you know what, if you exercise, you sometimes will hurt yourself, whether walking, hiking, running or lifting weights. CF had it’s problems back when it began in 2007-ish. But old wives tales are still told.
All exercises or movements can be scaled up or down depending on ability and age. Coaches are trained to scale. For example, pushups, pullups, deadlifts, whatever, can be scaled up or down, more diffcult or less difficult.
I have a Level 1 certificate. The L1 course is two 8-hour days, 300 +/- pages of material, and then you take both a written and physcial test. Both tests aren’t easy like a drivers test. Typically, L1 trainer will not be able to coach anyone until they’ve had an apprenticeship on the floor under guidance of an experienced trainer. Also, there are four levels of CF training, not just one.
Like Sabaray with her nutrition course, for me, I just did it to become more educated, I’m not a trainer in a CF gym, but I do help others when requested in a CF-style gym. But I don’t belong to a CF affiliate anymore. I’m what is called a “garage” or “independent” CrossFitter.
Each new person to CF will spend 6 two-hour sessions before they can participate in a class. It’s called an “on ramp” course. You will learn to lift weights properly, perform gymnastic movements, run, row and bike. Also, around 500,000 people around the world particpate in the CF Open, which starts in February. The Open is a weeder for Regional competition in March and then finally to the CF games in late July/early August.
CF is not for everyone. It requires a level of committment and dedication to hard work. I find it interesting, constantly varied and fun. I’ve been to several CF boxes around the country and they’ve all been great. I’m sure there are some bad ones, but then just like any business, they’ll go out of business. CF doesn’t have territories for this reason. You can open a box right next door to another box. Only the strong will survive.
Bottom line: I think I’m in the best shape of my life. Knock on wood! 
Here’s a recent article about CrossFit at Yale. I’d hate to have to train a Yalie.
Also, I should add, you better love burpees or fake it really well. =))
And there are lots of burpee variations. Seriously, if you can’t do a burpee, then a trainer can scale it down (make it easier) for you or even find an alternate exercise. They won’t kick you out for not being able to do burpees.
The problem with any system of exercising that offers a “certification” program to license and promote its own product is that it’s fundamental purpose is to do just that - sell it’s own product. There is no one or 2 day program, Cross-Fit, TRX, indoor cycling included, that is going to turn out qualified coaches/instructors if the person does not already possess strong qualifications as a trainer. Before I took a single course in any particular style or system of exercising, I spent 6 months getting certified as a personal trainer which required mastering literally 2000 pages of college level texts on anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, biology of nutrition, psychology of behavioral change and exercise programming followed by a 2 1/2 hour written exam administered by an independent accredited testing agency. It was only then that I commenced formal training in specific systems/styles of exercising. Along the way, I encountered some systems/products based “certifications” where the “instructors” clearly did not understand concepts essential for safe and effective programming and coaching. The purpose of those courses was to indoctrinate students in the particular system and then send them out to promote the system and products. While some of those courses were very useful in understanding how to use those systems or products in the field, none of them standing on their own produced anyone really qualified to be an instructor or coach. At my studio, all of our coaches are required to be certified personal trainers through nationally recognized and accredited organizations and to maintain their certifications. They then must also possess current certifications or qualifications specific to the modalities of training that we use. We also train our coaches to meet our own quality and programming standards. Simply having a background in working out and taking a 1 or 2 day course does not meet the standards of professionalism that should be required in any allied health care profession.
I’ve taken plenty of mat classes taught by ACE certified trainers who had absolutely no business teaching Pilates. The problem is not confined to CF. I think it’s everyone’s responsibility to do their own due diligence when choosing a gym or a trainer.
I’m still feeling a little tired today so plan to do some yoga after work. Today’s workout is going to be yoga for runners. I previewed the video - looks like a lot of hamstring work and hip openers.
For the record, I do like burpees.