very compact cardio machines

Hi, Just wondering whether anyone has advice on which compact cardio machine to purchase? I found one called the Twist & Shape and am wondering if it's any good. I've just moved to a smaller apartment and have literally n o space for a cardio machine, so had to leave my beloved elliptical behind....I'm looking for a really way to get good low-impact cardio and would be interested to hear if anyone has a small stepper (or something similar) that they absolutely love. Thanks!

Not sure just how little room you have, but we had an empty space of only 1.6 metres (not sure of the inches/feet of that...? sorry :P) and we found a great compact elliptical at Wal Mart that happened to be super cheap as well! (Under $200...amazing for an elliptical). I know a lot of ellipticals are huge and look like monsters, but ours it tiny and great. It's great for cardio, and really low impact on the knees...I love it I use it literally everyday! And it only took up about 1.5m!!

If not, why not go recessionista and get a skipping rope? We did that when we lived in a building and I'd go on the balcony and do it. Very little space required and you can also later do strength training with it and stretches :)

 

Thanks for your response. Ooh I would absolutely love to find a small elliptical like the one you bought -- do you know the brand? (No Wal-Marts here in England sadly.)

As for how much space I have...well, I live in a tiny studio, WITH my boyfriend, where the bed takes up most of the room but we do have some storage space, so I was thinking that a folding elliptical might work, although they seem really expensive. A compact one under $200 would be fantastic.

Good suggestion about the jump rope....We must be on the same 'recessionista' page because yesterday I went out and bought an adult-sized hula hoop. It was lots of fun, easy to use (and store), but I'm not sure how many calories in burns. Ultimately I don't think it will give me a cardio workout on par with the elliptical, so am still in the market for a cardio machine that will fit in my apartment. (I SO prefer working out at home to the gym...)

I've seen a lot of 'steppers' on ebay, but I read that those are better for strengthening and toning the legs and butt; I just want to do a lot of cardio and shed calories.

Hello again :) The elliptical is made by Weslo. Here's a link to it: http://www.weslo.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servle t/Product_-1_13001_14852_23010_42701 (we paid less than the website writes for it because, as I said, we got it at Wal Mart, and in Canadian dollars).

This one isn't folding, and I'm not sure that they make folding ellipticals (could be wrong? I'm no expert), but I definately know that there are folding treadmills on the market. One we were considering getting but opted out of because I seem to be the only one in my family who likes running :P But they're pretty tiny, not too long and store flat. So now I'm forced to use the treadmills at the gym, which I totally agree with you about - I hate working out infront of fit, muscular, beautiful people :P

Anyway, good luck :)