Years ago (c. 1983) before I joined a gym, I tried various exercise programs to keep fit. With my meager budget at the time, my options were rather limited. I tried running at the high school track since that was a cost-free activity. I forced myself out on to the hot asphalt track for a couple of weeks one summer, but eventually gave up because it was too monotonous and my knees started getting sore from the constant pounding.

I then decided to invest in a Precor rowing machine, which I purchased from a local sporting goods store. It set me back about $235, but I felt it was worth it since I desperately wanted to get in shape. Rowing machines were also quite the rage back then and I wanted to get in on the action too!

I used the Precor rower religiously for a while. After all, I had sunk a good portion of my savings into it! The machine itself was rather simply constructed and as a result, there wasn