Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ghettofabulous]

Winter is coming, and I'd like to get some cardio in at home, so I figured I'd buy an exercise machine. I'll post some links from GMarket for ones I can get. My price range is under 200,000won. Any experience with these? Which one do you think would be best?

1. The sitting bike
http://english.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=113770969&pos_shop_cd=EN&pos_class_cd=90000003&pos_class_kind=T

2. The mini-stepper
http://english.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=113593392&pos_shop_cd=EN&pos_class_cd=90000003&pos_class_kind=T

3. The bike with the traditional bike seat
http://english.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=203677898&pos_shop_cd=EN&pos_class_cd=90000003&pos_class_kind=T

4. The elliptical/bike/stepper machine thing
http://english.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=196771052&pos_shop_cd=EN&pos_class_cd=90000003&pos_class_kind=T

Any thoughts? What's your vote 1, 2, 3, or 4?

[iRock]

the elliptical is your best choice. i have one of those mini step things and hardly use it

[teacherinseoul]

Normally, I'd say "Choose whatever you regularly use at the gym." However, since you don't seem to be sure, go with the traditional stationary bike. The other three exercise machines are acquired tastes. You can't go too far wrong with a regular exercise bike.

Nobody, except me, seems to like the steppers. There are 20 treadmills, six bikes, and 1 stepper at my local gym. I've never had to wait.

[ghettofabulous]

Hmmm.......I'm kind of leaning towards the standard bike(#3). If the elliptical were just a regular elliptical I'd go with that. But I'm worried that one is gonna be clonky and weird. There was a regular elliptical but it was over 300,000won. =(

[crisdean]

I always preferred the seated bikes (#1). Found them the most comfortable for long (> 1h) cardio sessions.

[HELICIS]

How about a set of kettlebells and a jump rope? Nice and portable, doesn't take up much space. You can download lots of videos on both, too.

[ghettofabulous]

I already have a jump rope, and I like to do that, but there's not enough space in my apartment. And I want to be able to do it in my house.

[HELICIS]

No offense to the OP, but most of those things on GMarket look like they're not constructed very well at all.

If you already have a bike, how about one of those indoor bike training stands? A friend left Korea over the summer and didn't have time to sell it. He gave it to me and it's just collecting dust. I'd let it go for a reasonable price. PM me if you're interested.

[cj1976]

If you have neighbours downstairs, forget about the jump rope. The way these apartments are built they will think a herd of elephants is trampling around upstairs.

[Koreadays]

which ever can handle the most clothes!
as it will become a drying rack after the second week!

[cj1976]

[HELICIS]

To the OP, the indoor bike trainer is a Minoura RDA-80. It lists for $215.00. I'd let it go for W50k, if you're interested. I am leaving in March and have LOTS of crap I've collected over the years to get rid of. This thing is just collecting dust and taking up space. PM me if you are interested. Here is a description of the trainer:

http://www.modernbike.com/itemgroup.asp?igpk=2126178328&TID=367

W50k would leave you a decent amount to get a bike if you don't have one.

[highstreet]

I'd go with the upright bike, a better workout than the sitting bike.

[The Floating World]

The elliptical smokes them all out of the water.

Not only does it give zero impact on your joints (I have injuries that leave me unable to run for more than 50 metres, use a treadmill or exercise bike yet I can do 40 mins hiit on the ellptical zero problems) - it is a full body workout and if the highest settings provde decent resistance you can get a decent all over light anaerobic conditioning workout along with your cardio!

I love em!

[ghettofabulous]

I'm still not sure what to do. If I get the bike I'll be so mad if it ends up becoming a 130,000won drying rack. I'm gonna think about it over the weekend.