Exercise bike and treadmill

[Juanco20]

Looking to add both of these to the home gym but not much idea where to start as there are that many to pick from

Any recommendations on which to go for or which to avoid? Not looking to spend a fortune and don't mind buying used if they're decent

[mattikake]

Juanco20 said:

Looking to add both of these to the home gym but not much idea where to start as there are that many to pick from

Any recommendations on which to go for or which to avoid? Not looking to spend a fortune and don't mind buying used if they're decent

I'm getting asked this stuff more and more. The explanation is often long and is about weighing-up the pros and cost of cost v's quality.

So what I've been doing as the latest strategy is to take a day out to pop along to a fitness warehouse/superstore and try out the demo machines. There's usually a few around. (There's a couple of really good ones with big choice near me)

While the technology in treadmills belts are all pretty similar and it's more down to the personal choices of options like in-built HR monitors, the style of computer, inclines. One thing you should do though it check out the max user weight and the top speed - some cheaper options are useless.

As for bikes, there are 3 main types for resistance - friction, magnetic and flywheel. They are in that order of quality, feel and effect. You can get a decent magnetic one for a mid-range but if you ever want to be properly challenged for resistance you need higher quality.

Also, if testing these things out, don't use your current fitness as a measure of longevity for difficulty. Just because it may be hard now, doesn't mean it will be in the future. Your fitness will improve rapidly if you exercise and eat right, so you can easily out-grow your machine...

[Juanco20]

mattikake said:

I'm getting asked this stuff more and more. The explanation is often long and is about weighing-up the pros and cost of cost v's quality.

So what I've been doing as the latest strategy is to take a day out to pop along to a fitness warehouse/superstore and try out the demo machines. There's usually a few around. (There's a couple of really good ones with big choice near me)

While the technology in treadmills belts are all pretty similar and it's more down to the personal choices of options like in-built HR monitors, the style of computer, inclines. One thing you should do though it check out the max user weight and the top speed - some cheaper options are useless.

As for bikes, there are 3 main types for resistance - friction, magnetic and flywheel. They are in that order of quality, feel and effect. You can get a decent magnetic one for a mid-range but if you ever want to be properly challenged for resistance you need higher quality.

Also, if testing these things out, don't use your current fitness as a measure of longevity for difficulty. Just because it may be hard now, doesn't mean it will be in the future. Your fitness will improve rapidly if you exercise and eat right, so you can easily out-grow your machine...

Thanks for the detailed reply

Would you say these are good mid range choices

http://www.powerhouse-fitness.co.uk/bodymax-b15-st...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/York-Fitness-Active-120-Tr...

[stew-S160]

I'd never recommend a treadmill to anyone for this very reason- it does 50% of the work for you. Consider the fact that the backward stroke/extension at the hip is done by the machine for you effectively via the belt pulling your leg back. Folk will get used to this movement pattern and it has no translation in the real world where you have to do 100% of the work.

Cross trainer and rowing machines are a better choice.

[Halb]

If I was gonna have a machine at home, I wouldn't have anything but a treadmill or a jacobs ladder.

http://www.boxingscene.com/fitness-equipment/27175...

[Halb]

These do cost a fortune, but I hear they are ace!
http://www.woodway.com/

[Smitters]

Unsure on the treadmill front, but would you consider a road bike on a turbo trainer? Easier to maintain, lighter and easier to move if required and at the end of the day, you have a bike you can use outside. Plus you have the advantage of actually sitting on something in a cycling position, and with a cycling saddle, not a sit-up and beg position with a sofa attached. Team it with something like Sufferfest on a laptop and you've got a whole world of pain exercise.

[mattikake]

I would say that when it comes to buying CV equipment, always try before you buy. Try as many different types as you can. If it's something you're going to use a lot, comfort and fit is paramount. This will be a personal thing so no-one can truly recommend what is perfect for you, only what was perfect for them.

Fitness-superstore in Northampton is perfect for that sort of thing. They have about 25 different treadmills, cross trainers, upright and recumbent bikes, rowers all purposely selected to show the different design philosophies, so you can see the differences on offer. Always worth a day trip out for something that is important, and you health is important. They can also match any competitors price on the spot.

You wouldn't buy a car without trying it first.

Also there is no such thing as cheap AND quality... There may be cheap and good enough, or cheap and functional, or cheap and injury inducing etc.!

[Halb]

NeMiSiS said:

am currently 20stone and I can jog for 20 mins at 10mph without a complaint from the unit, also spares are readily available from complete motors, DC converters, to boards and belts, you can also hire service technicians to overhaul your machines as they

That's 16kph. That's a sub 20 min 5k. Impressive for a heavy load.

[stevesuk]

Bit of a thread resurrection, but wondered if anyone would like to offer any updated tips?

Just a treadmill I'm looking for, not a bike.

The Mrs and I have been using a Gymmotion 6000 regularly for the last 7 or 8 years. It was a fairly cheap purchase from eBay, but has been great (quite good spec./powerful). But now I think its beginning to wear out (noisy, sometimes temperamental to start, and the frame is rusting quite severely).

All in all, with winter around the corner (so more running inside ), I think its time to look around for a replacement. Gymmotion don't seem to exist any more (and neither do the company I bought it from on eBay), so I've been looking around for alternatives.

Have a budget of around £500 to spend.

The machine sits in our garage, and needs to have a folding running deck to keep access clear. Other than that, I want something durable enough to take 5K daily, can comfortably take my weight (around 16 stone at the moment), and with a good sized running deck. I tend to jog/run somewhere between 10 and 12 KPH. One thing that I've noticed is the machine we're currently using has a motor that is rated at 6HP, yet everything I see in my price range seems to be more like 2.5HP. I assume 2.5HP is adequate for someone my weight? (I never get anywhere near the top speed of the machine).

If anyone has an tips on which brands/products I should be considering (or which to avoid), I'd be grateful.

[Pints]

stevesuk said:

Bit of a thread resurrection, but wondered if anyone would like to offer any updated tips?

Just a treadmill I'm looking for, not a bike.

The Mrs and I have been using a Gymmotion 6000 regularly for the last 7 or 8 years. It was a fairly cheap purchase from eBay, but has been great (quite good spec./powerful). But now I think its beginning to wear out (noisy, sometimes temperamental to start, and the frame is rusting quite severely).

All in all, with winter around the corner (so more running inside ), I think its time to look around for a replacement. Gymmotion don't seem to exist any more (and neither do the company I bought it from on eBay), so I've been looking around for alternatives.

Have a budget of around £500 to spend.

The machine sits in our garage, and needs to have a folding running deck to keep access clear. Other than that, I want something durable enough to take 5K daily, can comfortably take my weight (around 16 stone at the moment), and with a good sized running deck. I tend to jog/run somewhere between 10 and 12 KPH. One thing that I've noticed is the machine we're currently using has a motor that is rated at 6HP, yet everything I see in my price range seems to be more like 2.5HP. I assume 2.5HP is adequate for someone my weight? (I never get anywhere near the top speed of the machine).

If anyone has an tips on which brands/products I should be considering (or which to avoid), I'd be grateful.

We have a Reebok ZR9 (or something) and it easily takes 30 to 40 minutes use several times a week. We've had it for almost 3 years and there have been no issues.

This model (http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3912281.htm) is a less expensive option but still seems to have many of the features. Rated for use up to 20st.

[Sushi]

Pints said:

We have a Reebok ZR9 (or something) and it easily takes 30 to 40 minutes use several times a week. We've had it for almost 3 years and there have been no issues.

This model (http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3912281.htm) is a less expensive option but still seems to have many of the features. Rated for use up to 20st.

We also have a ZR9, very good bit of kit, gets used twice a day for 30 minutes a time and no problems so far.

[stevesuk]

Thanks, the ZR9 is £1000 on the Argos site at the moment (although I see from Googling that its often half that price!). So maybe I might soldier on with what we've got until they have another sale.

Have also been looking at this one...

http://www.treadmill-running-machine-review.co.uk/...

... if anyone has an experience of it? Looks quite good for the money

[Sushi]

Yeah, we got ours last month for £490 so hold out for the promotions.