What equipment should I buy to help me train for a mini marathon?
I have a small child so I don't want to take her out in the cold while I walk or run outside. I'm trying to train for a mini marathon in October. I also need to lose about 50 lbs. Any suggestions on fitness equipment? I'm not looking for a diet, just fitness equipment suggestions. Thanks.

I would get a manual treadmill. The neat thing is they can be folded and put away when not in use. Works great.

Good fitness equipment for someone with limited space?
I would love to invest in some fitness equipment, but I don't have a lot of space to store anything... I'd love to get a bike to ride in the summer and a trainer to mount it on in the winter, but thats the only thing that I can think of that I can store easily... (bike outside, trainer in a closet or something till I'm ready to use it) I've seen a commercial, and if I'm thinking correctly, its the Bowflex Treadclimber, that folds up for easier storage... I'd love to get one of these, but its definitely not in my price range at this point in my life...Does anyone have any experience with any good, EFFECTIVE exercise equipment that doesn't take up a lot of room?
7 months ago
Additional Details
7 months ago

Well, I live in a small town and have to drive 45 minutes to get to a gym... I just want something to use for good cardio besides a treadmill...

I have had bad experience with equipment that folds or is lightweight.
Foldable ellipticals and stairmasters tend to be very unstable and to shake. There are couple really good ellipticals that are small and stable, but they are very expensive.
My advice would be to get a stationary bike. You can get a used one for $20-30 on Craigslist or a new one from Wal-Mart for $80-$120. Since the base doesn't move when you work out, it's going to be very stable. You might need to get a padded seat cover, but those aren't too expensive- they are about $20.
The new models are very light and easy to move.If you get one where you can collapse the handles, you can store it in its original box in a closet or under your bed.

Calories burned on Fitness Equipment?
How accurate are the counted calories burned on fitness machines such as the treadmill and elliptical? I know that a heart rate monitor would be more efficient in telling you how many calories you have burned while working out, but if I don't have one what are my options?

If possible, before you go to the gym go to a website like "buddyslim.com" that has a "Calories Burned" tracker and find the activity you are going to do (such as a rowing machine w/a calorie counter screen), enter the time and see how many calories it says you will burn.

*Note: It does have different levels that you will be doing the exercise (vigorous effort, light effort, etc).

Then, do the exercise for as long and with as much effort as you entered in the tracker and see how the number you get compares.

Also, you could reverse this order and do your exercise first if you don't know ahead of time what you might do.

(P.S. I saw on another question you wrote in Diet & Fitness that you are 20 years old - I am too! You should really consider joining buddyslim.com! It's so great - It's like Myspace for people on diets. They have all sorts of trackers (calories eaten, calories burned, weight) and you can even set minigoals, which make you feel a lot better about losing weight! Check it out!)

Is there anyone looking for fitness equipment for home usage?

I bought a Precor elliptical. Way expensive, but it beats going to the gym.

Companies that get risk of there used fitness equipment.?
What do Gyms, Ballys, fitness USA, etc. do with there old excerises equipment.

Call them and ask them