 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Schuss in Boots, I'm biased, but honestly think that some specifically directed Pilates (or similar) exercises would be better and cheaper. They enable you to identify and target particular muscle groups, whereas this machine is a sort of all purpose wobbly thing, which may or may not target the correct areas. For abs, all you need to do is some proper sit-ups (by which I mean the sort that are almost invisible to someone watching you, no bouncing but with maximum engagement of muscles) and some roll-downs. As for leg-strengthening and stretching, you need look no further than here: http://www.solutions4feet.co.uk/cp7.php Additionally, I have some strap-on weights which I sometimes attach to my ankles and simply sit watching telly with my back against the sofa, doing straight leg, ankle flexed lifts. And for balance - I'm sure you've seen the separate thread, which recommends life-threatening manoeuvres while brushing your teeth or doing the ironing. 
Almost all of this costs nothing at all and, whilst the advert says that exercising on the machine is fun, I reckon you'd soon get bored with it. I get bored with this sort of thing anyway but at least it would be boredom free from the pain of shelling out hundreds of squids.
PS None of this addresses cardio-vascular fitness of course, but then the machine doesn't either. I guess you have your dog and your bike for that, though.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Seems lame. And boring. You're standing on a vibrating board, that's all, it doesn't seem like it's challenging, at all, and I really doubt it has any fitness benefits. A Bosu ball/board and a DVD with a few good basic exercises would be a much better investment, both in terms of money and time investment
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Spend the money on a bike. There is no single exercise that you can do that is better, for ski or board fitness, than cycling.
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We have one, specifically got it for knee re-hab.
I find it very good for that, combined with some modest dumbells for using on it.
It is quite boring, we watch TV while on it.
I don't think it does much for Core and general fitness.
I contacted the firm direct and they were willing to do a deal on price.
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| Hurtle wrote: |
| Harsh - she's got some problems, but she isn't lame. |
Oh I dunno  
Actually, all joking aside I am pretty lame at the moment.  Struggling to walk the dog even, lower calf muscles are cramping within 5 minutes of walking. It has been getting worse and not better with more effort, so I'm at my wits end to find something that I can do that will help. Have started to see the chiro now to get the lower back sorted and that is helping, but she says there is very little flexibility in my ankles and my calf muscles are very tight.
Not sure I can explain this very well in writing but, the problem is that when I stand up, my feet 'roll out' onto their outside edges i.e. instead of standing flat on each foot, all the weight is being borne on the outside of each foot - to the extent that my big toe and that part of the ball of my foot is actually off the ground. It's summat to do with the problems in my lower back (and if I force the feet flat on the ground it makes my lower back very hurtee).
bar shaker, I already did that, got myself a really nice one too.  Love riding the bike and can happily (and pain free) spend hours riding it on and off road. But time is my enemy right now. I work long hours, it's dark when I finish and I work in Bedford during the week and only home in Hants at the weekends (if I'm lucky). So, as much as I would love to get out on the bike regularly, with the best will in the world it ain't gonna happen. 
I guess this is why I thought this thing might help. I could use it in the evenings and like vibration training, it takes far less time to achieve the same results (or so they say).
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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rungsp, Thanks, that's helpful info. If it's not going to help the core then it probably isn't worth the expenditure for me.
Sorry, I may have misled in the OP, I wasn't expecting it to help with actual fitness, just strength and stability.
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| Schuss in Boots wrote: |
| ...there is very little flexibility in my ankles and my calf muscles are very tight ...when I stand up, my feet 'roll out' onto their outside edges i.e. instead of standing flat on each foot, all the weight is being borne on the outside of each foot - to the extent that my big toe and that part of the ball of my foot is actually off the ground. It's summat to do with the problems in my lower back (and if I force the feet flat on the ground it makes my lower back very hurtee). |
Get yourself to a podiatrist for a full biomechanical assessment. You may need orthotics to correct the alignment of various joints. Sometimes it's not the spine causing the problems/pains in the lower limb joints but the other way round.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| bar shaker wrote: |
| Spend the money on a bike. There is no single exercise that you can do that is better, for ski or board fitness, than cycling. |
Plus its basically the summer equivalent, mountain biking that is, not that silly road riding.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| Quote: |
when I stand up, my feet 'roll out' onto their outside edges i.e. instead of standing flat on each foot, all the weight is being borne on the outside of each foot - to the extent that my big toe and that part of the ball of my foot is actually off the ground. It's summat to do with the problems in my lower back (and if I force the feet flat on the ground it makes my lower back very hurtee).
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then do this
| Quote: |
et yourself to a podiatrist for a full biomechanical assessment. You may need orthotics to correct the alignment of various joints. Sometimes it's not the spine causing the problems/pains in the lower limb joints but the other way round.
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and then Pilates lessons
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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good that you do the bike when you can but i think for core muscles not much can beat a gym ball for price and ease.
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