Workout/Media Center Upgrades

In April I talked Taylor into ordering a treadmill. He loathes public gyms and has spent many years working out on a Nordic Track in our various basements. I have to give him credit for being so dedicated. However, having worn out the original Nordic Track, buying a second one that fell apart immediately and accepting a sturdier donation from a friend we have both come to the conclusion that he has passed his Nordic Track prime. We've got 3 NT carcasses in the basement and it's time for something new and less traumatizing to the body.

Where else to buy a treadmill but from Costco, online? We didn't consider the fact that Costco would ship this thing to us and it would be up to us to get it to the basement and set it up. It arrived in the pouring rain and the trucker schlelped it into the garage and took off. So there it was - 230 pounds- in the middle of our two cars in the garage.

Just try to find someone to move something like that. Our neighbor suggested Tony, who was conveniently listed in his Blackberry. Tony sounded enthusiatic over the phone but failed to show up, and failed to return calls. The original shipping company told me over the phone they aren't allowed to enter homes. Moving companies want to move entire households.

Finally, one month after delivery, we found a moving company on the internet who does small jobs. They agreed to move the treadmill into the basement. The woman told me over the phone that I had these guys for 2 hours so I could have them do whatever I needed. I asked about sweeping the basement - sure. Well, when the 3 husky young guys got the treadmill into the basement and asked if they could do anything more, I had a better brainstorm than sweeping. I asked them to assemble the beast. And they did!!!! It took 3 of them 2 hours but it would have taken us another month to accomplish this feat. I am forever thankful to these young men!

Here's the our Workout/Media Center after installing the new treamill. Notice the black and white TV - that's the media.

Things went along swimmingly until yesterday morning when Taylor worked out. Just like the TV commercials had been telling us, those of us with old black and white non digital TVs wouldn't be able to get a picture after this Saturday. We, of course, didn't think this applied to us, but sure enough it did. No Media in the Workout/Media Center on Saturday.

So we go off shopping for a new TV and guess what? They don't sell regular old time TVs anymore. We aren't quite ready to get into the big fancy flat screens but flat screens are all that're available nowdays. Finally, Taylor selected a 19" TV and brought it home. He took our little bitty color TV from the kitchen down to the basement and replaced it with the new 19" flatscreen. Now we look up to date in the kitchen, and he can watch TV while working out.

Here's the new updated Workout/Media Center. By the way, the object on the left is the treadmill. Nordic Track is on the right with a pink towel on it. Taylor reports that while the TV picture is little, being in color makes it more entertaining. And it's all about the workout anyway.