Comment by jcynix
3 days ago
>Like someone already said: what if you get an injury going to hard at it?
There's no need to go hard, even steady walking for 20 minutes a day is healthy. And recent studies show that you don't need to jog or run, walking is almost as efficient and less stressful for your joints.
One of the best ways to exercise as long as you aren't a brain in a jar is to use an indoor rowing machine. Rowing will engage about 80% of your muscles.
Another great option is rebounding. Every time you land, every muscle in your body is exercised. It's also easy on the joints and you can do it inside if the weather is bad.
Back in the 1970's, NASA studied rebounding as a way to help astronauts recover after being in space. They found 10 minutes of rebounding to be equivalent to 30 minutes of jogging[1].
It's also good for the elderly and disabled because you can sit to do it or even someone else can bounce you and you will still benefit from it.
My dad is 81 and is still rebounding. His core is strong and he can move around like when he was in his 60's.
Older rebounders used metal springs and were harder on the joints. Newer rebounders use bungees for a softer, gentler and silent landing. Some people rebound while their partner sleeps a few feet away.
[1] https://www.tomsguide.com/wellness/fitness/forget-running-na...
For me I don't think walking 20 minutes a day is enough. I did more than that right after graduation. It didn't change any of the metrics usually used for measuring healthiness: my resting heart rate didn't change, my VO2max didn't change, my weight didn't change, etc. it was when I started regularly running 2 hours per week (aka around 20 minutes per day) that I started observing my health improve. YMMV.
> use an indoor rowing machine
Humans evolved to run but rowing is much better in many ways.
I'm up to 1.3 million meters this year so far (C2 Model D / PM4). I've missed zero days since the first of the year. The only way this is possible is because the impact is whatever you want it to be. You can scale all the way to ~zero if you are having a really shit day and just need the mental checkmark. You can throw the MacBook on a chair next to the rower and watch some dopamine slop to keep you distracted for the 30 minutes. Whatever it takes. Achieving 500 calories/hr is not difficult even if you've never looked at one of the machines before.
Going outside in any capacity has a lot higher physical/mental barrier. Other erg machines like treadmills and stationary bikes are something that my particular monkey brain doesn't like as much for whatever reason.
Any recommendations on a rowing machine?
The C2 machine is fine, I use it regularly in a nearby studio besides other training and it's perfect for training. If the studio wouldn't be easily available I would buy a C2. And, by the way, my wife too started to be an avid rower after giving the machine a try.
I was rowing on real boats during my school and university days, but sadly never found the time afterwards to get join a club and row in teams.
Rowing machines with a water container are en vogue, but they are heavier (if filled with water) need regular water maintenance and the training effect isn't better.
Edit: here's a good intro to using such a machine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHHy0KpFKvE
I think you might be underselling the C2. I only ever row occasionally, but it is my understanding that it is the BIFL model. The type most gyms will buy - way more utilization hours than you will ever hit at home.