exercise bikes
Discussion
I have something like this: http://amzn.to/1cPmlZE
I think it's better than upright ones because you can work the legs harder as you cannot use your bodyweight to move a pedal when you get tired. You have to push much like a leg press machine.
I've used it for burning cals, getting fit and pre-exhausting for proper leg work.
The seat is far from dusty.
Oh, and apart from my free weights, it's the only piece of exercise kit I've owned for the last 10 years and not sold.
I think it's better than upright ones because you can work the legs harder as you cannot use your bodyweight to move a pedal when you get tired. You have to push much like a leg press machine.
I've used it for burning cals, getting fit and pre-exhausting for proper leg work.
The seat is far from dusty.
Oh, and apart from my free weights, it's the only piece of exercise kit I've owned for the last 10 years and not sold.Edited by Hoofy on Monday 6th January 21:45
ch427 said:
Anything around the £300 to £500 mark worth looking at?
The nordic track bikes look good but has anyone any experience of them or any upright bikes in general?
Would consider a turbo/magnetic trainer but the missus wants to use it too and its too cold in the garage for her!
You can get a pretty decent new exercise bike for £300-£500. The GX3.2 is a good functional bike with a nice gel seat.The nordic track bikes look good but has anyone any experience of them or any upright bikes in general?
Would consider a turbo/magnetic trainer but the missus wants to use it too and its too cold in the garage for her!
Most of the technology in magnetic exercise bikes are the same - electromagnets affecting a metal flywheel. What varies are the consoles and quality of the frame and seats. You want a good console because exercise bikes are about helping you exercise, so it needs good programmes. Intervals, Fartlek, Heart rate control, Goal targets, real world course simulation etc.
The best feature of NordicTrack's are iFit live. This lets you create or download programmes from the iFit website. They can be entered into an online diary which, depending on the model of bike, will download themselves automatically ready for your plan. The programmes can be course simulation (training for an event by simulating hillclimbs for e.g.) or personal training sessions that aim to increase intensity to get you fit for a goal etc., like regular personal training. iFit subscriptions are also interchangeable - buy a bike with iFit and you can use a Crosstrainer or Treadmill with the same iFit subscription, all you have to do is choose a bike or run workout on your online diary.
iFit is cool but a toy. Toys can make you use a piece of equipment more. Some people hate toys and don't care. It's down to personal preference.
The seat and seating position matters too. You need this to be comfortable as you're sit bones are going to be on these for a long time - exercise bikes do not intend to make you get up off the seat. Adjustable height and distance from the pedals and handlebars will help comfort. Unused exercise bikes are usually the ones that are uncomfortable. This depends entirely on the user though as everyone is different.
Ultimately it depends on you. If you are the type of person that isn't well motivated to make things hard for yourself for the sake of making it hard, you need an exercise bike. If you are the type of person who can blast yourself hard by upping resistance/rpm manually and doing it for the time you know you should, you can live with a turbo trainer or a spin bike.
Turbo trainers are all well and good, but they are a serious ball-ache to set-up especially if your bike is muddy, like this time of year. Often a demotivating factor.
mattikake said:
Turbo trainers are all well and good, but they are a serious ball-ache to set-up especially if your bike is muddy, like this time of year. Often a demotivating factor.
not really, its just one handle on the back, put your wheel on the thing, pull the handle and away you go. 
What's more for about 350 you can get a tt plus a good training bike used (Allez, caad etc) that you can use on the road once the weather improves.
I know this Is the wrong way round and the crappy trainer should be out in the wet and the sexy bike on the tt, but assume the op is not a bikeist
Mike
I know this Is the wrong way round and the crappy trainer should be out in the wet and the sexy bike on the tt, but assume the op is not a bikeist
Mike
I prefer the mountain bike when the weather allows but sometimes coming off a 12 hour shift motivation can be quite low.
Having a bike in the house nice and warm and being able to blast an hour out when I get home is the main factor.
Worth looking at a decent turbo and a new bike just for the house if a decent exercise bike is £300 upwards.
Having a bike in the house nice and warm and being able to blast an hour out when I get home is the main factor.
Worth looking at a decent turbo and a new bike just for the house if a decent exercise bike is £300 upwards.
Edited by ch427 on Tuesday 7th January 12:28
Edited by ch427 on Tuesday 7th January 12:31
ch427 said:
I prefer the mountain bike when the weather allows but sometimes coming off a 12 hour shift motivation can be quite low.
Having a bike in the house nice and warm and being able to blast an hour out when I get home is the main factor.
Worth looking at a decent turbo and a new bike just for the house if a decent exercise bike is £300 upwards.
Seriously, riding a turbo indoors unless you have a huge fan blowing on you will mean you sweat far too much.Having a bike in the house nice and warm and being able to blast an hour out when I get home is the main factor.
Worth looking at a decent turbo and a new bike just for the house if a decent exercise bike is £300 upwards.
Edited by ch427 on Tuesday 7th January 12:28
Edited by ch427 on Tuesday 7th January 12:31
I've found the point where you can just about avoid a fan is probably sub 5 degree's (outside), but doing it inside because its warm and cosy really is an error as you will cover everything in sweat and end up needing a huge fan.
As I suggested earlier, you can buy a decent gym bike for about £150.
I think Matt's right about the muddy bicycle/trainer set up. If your tyres are muddy and wet and you don't bother washing them and drying them, then your interior's gonna be interesting after an hour's indoor training.
I think Matt's right about the muddy bicycle/trainer set up. If your tyres are muddy and wet and you don't bother washing them and drying them, then your interior's gonna be interesting after an hour's indoor training.
I've got a set of rollers, and they absolutely kill me. Mind you, I'm not that fit. 35 mins is the max I've managed to date.
They're more difficult to pedal than I was expecting, I think my hybrid's tyres have quite a bit of rolling resistance.
I find them moderately interesting in as much as you have to learn to balance on the rollers, so you can't let your concentration waver too much otherwise you end up on an impromptu lap of the kitchen
. They're still boring compared to a proper ride.
Each to their own mind you, but worth considering as an alternative.
They're more difficult to pedal than I was expecting, I think my hybrid's tyres have quite a bit of rolling resistance.
I find them moderately interesting in as much as you have to learn to balance on the rollers, so you can't let your concentration waver too much otherwise you end up on an impromptu lap of the kitchen
. They're still boring compared to a proper ride.Each to their own mind you, but worth considering as an alternative.
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff