Excersise bike help!
Discussion
My wife would like the above for Christmas, I want to get this right so any and all advise would be appreciated.
I have a Concept rower but as she has had a knee replacement she struggles to use it and thinks a bike is the best way forwards.
I note there are both upright and recumbent, which is considered best? also any makes and models would be helpful, I got advice on the Concept rower and it has been a fantastic bit of kit.
Thanks in advance
A.
I have a Concept rower but as she has had a knee replacement she struggles to use it and thinks a bike is the best way forwards.
I note there are both upright and recumbent, which is considered best? also any makes and models would be helpful, I got advice on the Concept rower and it has been a fantastic bit of kit.
Thanks in advance
A.
I would take her along to a gym, just get a day pass, and get her to try out the different styles. My gym has big seated, laid back type bikes that make a harley look small, and some others with seats so small they get stuck...
If she is after a quiet pedal while watching the telly, then the laid back, if she is after the sprint pedal like mad apple iwatch ad thing, then go for the sprinter type. There is a midway bike as well!
If she is after a quiet pedal while watching the telly, then the laid back, if she is after the sprint pedal like mad apple iwatch ad thing, then go for the sprinter type. There is a midway bike as well!
i'd agree with getting her to try a few out, I have a proper road bike and when I go to the gym I detest all the exercise bikes because the seats are so big i feel they get in the way of the cycling motion! I find the spin bikes way better for comfort.
another option might be to get her a proper bike to use outdoors when the better weather comes in and either a turbo trainer or set of rollers for use indoors? dunno if she would have any aspirations of cycling otuside, but I prefer the comfort of a proper bike and then being able to get in in the better weather.
another option might be to get her a proper bike to use outdoors when the better weather comes in and either a turbo trainer or set of rollers for use indoors? dunno if she would have any aspirations of cycling otuside, but I prefer the comfort of a proper bike and then being able to get in in the better weather.
All good advice, thanks! As for riding style, more towards the gentle end, as I said a bad knee hinders things and hopefully steady pedalling will help build the muscles and strengthen the knee, a trip to the gym or maybe Decathlon where you can muck around on them could be the way forwards.
Thanks again, never thought about a gym trip!
Thanks again, never thought about a gym trip!
Like the idea of a one day pass.
I like my recumbent exercise bicycle. It's more comfy and easier to watch TV plus you can sit such that you're not all hunched up. And you can hold a phone, book or tablet without falling off. And there's more space for your washing when she stops using it.
I like my recumbent exercise bicycle. It's more comfy and easier to watch TV plus you can sit such that you're not all hunched up. And you can hold a phone, book or tablet without falling off. And there's more space for your washing when she stops using it.
Athlon said:
All taken on board, I like the clothes hanger comment, rings true!
The general rule for buying exercise equipment is to make sure it's not so big that it can't fit through the loft hatch. 
On a serious note, I have been using my recumbent gym bike from time to time for the last 20 years as something to do when I can't get out to a training session. No excuses etc.
Disappointingly, the sticker has fallen off. Everything else works fine.
Tbh an internet forum is always the worst place to get advice for something that is entirely subjective. Getting the right equipment is about finding one that fits your body. Given everyone is different, you've got to try them. And you only get a clothes horse if you choose badly.
Who needs a gym pass? You'll almost certainly only get to try one manufacturers interpretation of bikes. - They all have their own idea on riding position, seats, resistance mechanisms and entertainment types. So why not go here?:- http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/findastore/
There is a Manchester store and you can try about 20 different bikes for as long as you like for free, as well as get good advice on what is good for someone with a bad knee. Go to Northampton and you'll have about 40 different types to try. If you're not even sure it's a bike you're after there are about 30 crosstrainers, 30 treadmills, 15 rowers and so on from all manufacturers like Nordictrack, Life Fitness, TechnoGym, Matrix...
Just say Matt sent you and he said you can get a better price than you can get online if you mentioned my name. (you will)
Who needs a gym pass? You'll almost certainly only get to try one manufacturers interpretation of bikes. - They all have their own idea on riding position, seats, resistance mechanisms and entertainment types. So why not go here?:- http://www.fitness-superstore.co.uk/findastore/
There is a Manchester store and you can try about 20 different bikes for as long as you like for free, as well as get good advice on what is good for someone with a bad knee. Go to Northampton and you'll have about 40 different types to try. If you're not even sure it's a bike you're after there are about 30 crosstrainers, 30 treadmills, 15 rowers and so on from all manufacturers like Nordictrack, Life Fitness, TechnoGym, Matrix...
Just say Matt sent you and he said you can get a better price than you can get online if you mentioned my name. (you will)

Edited by mattikake on Tuesday 10th November 12:22
No worries. It's be the best choice and advice you can realistically get. You might want to PM me as the store staff might wonder how you know me!
btw if you get something and decide you need it installing for you instead of building it yourself (they're all flat packed in a box), consider the time of year and how busy the elves are on the lead up to xmas... etc.
Bikes I'd suggest you try are; <£250 BH SB1.4 or BH Artic, <£600 Horizon U4000, <£1000 Life Fitness C1, £any Technogym Bike Forma
btw if you get something and decide you need it installing for you instead of building it yourself (they're all flat packed in a box), consider the time of year and how busy the elves are on the lead up to xmas... etc.
Bikes I'd suggest you try are; <£250 BH SB1.4 or BH Artic, <£600 Horizon U4000, <£1000 Life Fitness C1, £any Technogym Bike Forma
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff


