[Japan Life]: Changing Things Step By Step ... Or So ...

[chochajin]

Hi!

I can't believe it's already October! Well, at least in Japan it is. Time's flying so fast.

Comments

[mit_souko]

I would certainly encourage you to try to stay fit. I think it is very important. I am not in favor of jogging. A lot of people do it and like it, but it can have detrimental effects on your body, especially jogging on pavement. Walking at a reasonably fast pace is much better. You can certainly do it on week-ends. Try to walk when you have shopping to do. Maybe park your car farther away, so you have to walk some distance. If groceries are too heavy to carry, get some bag on wheels

[chochajin]

Everywhere I look it says that treadmills of good quality need to cost at least 1000$, so I don't know.
I certainly have enough space for one - and even if I leave Japan in a few months, if it's not too expensive it might be worth the investment.

Thanks so much! ^_^

[mit_souko]

A treadmill of $1000 is absolutely not necessary. I firmly believe you don't need all the bells and whistles: preset programs, etc. After looking around, I still think that $300 to $350 will get you a perfectly adequate treadmill.

I also have a cheap rowing machine. That gives one a good workout, but I think the treadmill is the most useful. I usually read a book while walking on it.

[chochajin]

Ok. I'm still not sure if it's worth the investment. I try to find a big fitness / sport store nearby. Maybe they have treadmills and other things to test.
I've never even used a treadmill before, so I don't know if it's the right thing for me! ^^;

[asahifirsa]

Maybe there's a fitness club somewhere? You could become a member for a month and try out all the stuff they have?

[chochajin]

I'm looking into it at the moment. All of them are a bit far away. Not really a problem with a car, but I'd prefer to have them closer. The longer it takes to get there, the smaller the chances I'll actually go there regularly.

I think getting some kind of fitness equipment for my apartment might be the best solution.
Like I mentioned I've been looking into treadmills.
I found one that is - despite the reasonable price - quite good (39.990yen). However, even the much more expensive ones have a very tiny running belt. That one as well has only 120cm x 40cm. Way too small for my long legs, I fear.
They have it set up in a not too far away sport center, so I plan to go there and test it soon to see if it works out.
The machines here in Japan are all too small for Western legs it seems.

[asahifirsa]

Treadmills are something that I could never really get behind. I have a training bike (I think it's called ergometer or something) and I kinda like those crosstrainers, but I consider walking and running already quite boring and doing it at home would not really improve the experience much :) Of course you can watch TV while doing that, but then I'd rather switch on the Wii and make a game out of it.