I've discovered Caroline Girvan, very good. I'll check Mark Wildman too.
My local tesco had 16kg ones for £14
Might not be big enough for the Dwayne Johnsons of this thread but I thought was a good deal
Costco also had them last week!
Don't bother, I bought some, the smooth plastic is incredibly slippy with even the slightest trace of sweat on your hands and the handle of the 20kg is too big to grip properly. Lesson learned, buy from somewhere that specialises in gym equipment and not a discount warehouse
I'd either strip off the plastic coating or wrap zinc oxide tape around it to provide some friction.
A 12 and a 16 do me fine. crikey they have got expensive now!
Just gone for a 16kg from https://www.beyondrxgear.com/
Graduating up from the 8kg Aldi plastic one we’ve had for a few years. I was starting to get frustrated at the lack of resistance at home vs in the CrossFit gym, but can’t bear the cost (and don’t have the space) for a barbell, plates etc.
Mid 40’s and never lifted weights, kids and manual labour aside, so what would people suggest to improve upper body – gut, tits, back and arms?
I've recently bought a set of resistance bands - not forced myself to use them yet though
Mid 40’s and never lifted weights, kids and manual labour aside, so what would people suggest to improve upper body – gut, tits, back and arms?
Rowing machine
TRS Straps. 15 quid from Decathlon.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/suspension-trainer-dst-100-blue-red/_/R-p-309804?
I don’t have room for a rowing machine, unfortunately.
Resistance bands look like a good option.
I’ve dug my wife’s unused rubber dumbbell things out the wardrobe. They don’t weigh much but offers some resistance. I might try a 5k with them but doubt I’d make it that far.
I don’t have room for a rowing machine, unfortunately.
I bought one 2nd hand, didn't realise quite how large they actually are. They look ok in a large gym, but are bloody massive in a small house. Sold it to my local CF box.
Rowing machine has been invaluable this winter- I’m it a fan of the turbo, and having a big enough man-shed with the rower in has been my escape.
Maybe the novelty of being a new sport, and feeling like a better full body workout are the keys to maintaining interest.
For me it’s the noise of the rower- never noticed it in the gym, but in the shed with a fan on I need my headphones turned up pretty loud.
I find the rowing machine very boring, I have a full set of the concept 2 ergs, and do an ergathlon 2 or 3 times a week, but just rowing alone, 10 mins is about my maximal attention effort.
That's the thing as well when people recommend bands or trx, does anyone really keep up consistent training with them 2 or 3 times a week for years? I guess I have been really lucky to now build up a really good home gym setup over the past couple of years. Now when I start getting bored I can change my training to "re-invigorate" my motivation.
Horses for courses of course, but I think you need to find a type of training you enjoy and are going to be motivated to continue doing over years. If you have the space, whether you start with just some kettlebells or a squat rack and barbell. As you progress, every 3 months or so you can add/buy something new to change it up.
A bit of a budget PSA: Home Bargains have kettlebells in stock. My local has 4, 6 and 8KG available. They are moulded plastic by the looks of them but they are very cheap.
Pretty sure I saw some of the same ones as Costco were selling in The Range (Gateshead) at the weekend, as I've already said above I have some and wouldn't recommend them due to them being slippy moulded plastic and I find the 20kg (it's a lot BIGGER than the 10kg, not just heavier) is impossible to grip comfortably as the handle is too big
I bought one 2nd hand, didn’t realise quite how large they actually are. They look ok in a large gym, but are bloody massive in a small house. Sold it to my local CF box.
Waterrowers store vertically so don't take that much footprint up
Can't help, but I seriously want some of those Onnit Star Wars kettlebells just, well, just because 🙂
Are those waterrowers any good then? I’m looking for something to save me runn8ng as I seem to have plantar fasciitis which is not too bad at the mo but can be a pain and don’t want to make it worse. I was enjoying running and cycling is fine but you just don’t get out as much in the winter with kids/ work/ weather/ dark etc. Got a bit of space in a dining room I’m using for home office etc so that could work.
Are those waterrowers any good then?
Yes, not perfect but quite good. There is another thread that has a few people who have them.
